Ron’s “Karen Sue”

Ron married my mother, Karen when I was 11.  I have to say at the time I was not exactly thrilled at the idea.  Up till then I had only really experienced a father as someone to fear and “lie low” around.  My mother and “real” father had been divorced a few years by then and I was really enjoying being able to not worry so when Ron came onto the picture I was wary… how ridiculous this would turn out to be.

Ron’s own marriage had ended and as fate and a dog would have it they connected and the rest is history. As a husband I can honestly say as witness that Ron was pure patience and love, and in Karen it was reflected right back to him.  Together they loved coffee, talking, Hawaii, scrabble, fall leaves, music and simply being together.  The wedding vows they made some 28 years ago they held most true.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU – A last poem, written specifically for the upcoming NLP convention in July

This poem was written by Ron for the National League of Postmasters annual convention being held in San Diego. Ron was scheduled to speak at the convention on July 22, 2010.

Sadly, this would be the last poem that Ron would share with those he held dear. It was written only 2 weeks before his untimely death.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

I’ve packed a lot of living, in less than 100 years

The Lord gave me my share of good times

And I’ve shed my share of tears.

I’ve traveled to all 50 states

I’ve lived in 10 or 11

We loved living in New England

And living in Hawaii was like heaven

My prayer for you is that your life

Be just as good

Embrace the teachings of our Lord

And live the life you should.

Your body may be sickly

Or your body may be dead

But your soul will be in heaven

Just as Jesus said.

Riding Double With Jesus & Dr. Pepper

My mother, Karen wanted me to share with you another example of Ron’s strong faith and insight into his lacking fear of dying.

As many know the past two years had been really rough on my parents.  The back surgery to help straighten his back and delay the advancement of his many symptoms went quite badly wrong to say the least.  Despite the incredible amount of set-backs, Ron continued to rally time and time again and as such has left an indelible impression on his many doctors and therapists.

I must pause to give credit to my mother who lovingly and tirelessly cared for Ron over this course.  Watching her care for him will remain as one of the most beautiful selfless acts I will ever witness.  I believe this no doubt kept his spirits and determination to improve going. Neither wanted to be without the other.  I’ve joked with my mom that I knew she’d be on top of him with paddles till the end!  Funnily enough… she’d priced them up!

The worst thing you could say to my mom was, “You should let him go…”  In those who may have uttered such defense, from appearances it did indeed look a mess and the odds of getting back to any kind of “normal” remote.  AND yet… while Ron did indeed not fear dying he had a pretty strong will to live and love of life.

Case and point… DR PEPPER.  There is a funny story that happened just a few weeks back.  Ron’s recent tracheotomy meant he was restricted on taking liquids and food by mouth and this left the man thirsty something awful!  Can you imagine not being able to quench your thirst… torture, but Karen was serious about keeping pneumonia out of the picture.  So powerful was his thirst that he “persuaded” my mom into running an errand to pick up one of his favorite soups… something he was allowed to eat hence the trouble and a good 1.5 hour round trip.

Ron figured he had bought himself some time and set course in his power wheel chair, armed with those pincher poles for the disabled to reach things on high shelves.  Long story short when she returned she was amazed to find him at the refrigerator with the door ajar trying to erase any evidence of his adventures.  Apparently, in the course of retrieving Dr. Pepper from the fridge he spilled something.  Ron had actually nearly pulled it off though.. he’d managed to ferry a few beverages to a hiding spot before getting busted!  So you see… while things “looked” bad he still hadn’t given up living.

It was an unfortunate accident that ultimately caused Ron’s death and is why this particular poem of Ron’s is mentioned here.  The last conscious conversation Ron had with the surgeon in the emergency room expressed the very serious situation at hand… they were discussing possible surgery to save his life and the odds were not good.  Ron said, “I’m not afraid…” and it caused the Dr. to pause… and he continued, “I’m not afraid of death..”  And he proceeded to recite his poem, Riding Double With Jesus.

RIDING DOUBLE WITH JESUS

I have a familiar traveling partner

I keep him real close in my heart

I feel much safer everywhere

When we’re not far apart

I talk to Him everyday

Sometimes we disagree

That’s when He helps me change my way

He helps me be a better me

I’ve known Him since just a kid

But as I age I know more trouble

That’s why I like my traveling partner

As Jesus and I ride double

Ron wrote this poem in the spring of 2010.

The Mail Must Go Through

“I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
HENRY DAVID THOREAU

I found it quite challenging to try to sum up the overall experience of publishing The Mail Must Go Through as an onlooker because from my far perspective it seemed at times both a joy and a burden.  Ultimately though it brought to mind Thoreau’s quote above and I hope Ron would agree.

I know Ron thoroughly enjoyed researching, writing and collaborating with his son Gary whom illustrated the book.  In researching he had the great pleasure of riding down the mule train with Gary and his grandsons who are characters in the book FYI.  This I know Ron would consider a qualified success not measured by sales.

I believe as well that it was a great pleasure for Ron to write a story about the USPS.  This little book to me celebrates the legacy of the USPS by the very title, Ron was proud to be associated with this.

Lava Java

Lava Java

Coffee dreamer

My sister Amberly, chief cinnamon roll baker – baseball bat wielding defender is perhaps more qualified to speak of these times..  What I do feel qualified to say is that Lava Java was in essence a dream come true. People said it wouldn’t work, they said that it would fail and ultimately they were proved wrong and Lava Java was and continues to be a success.

In case you weren’t aware, the logo/signage was created by Ron’s son, Gary.  The business has since changed hands at least twice since they started it in ’92 yet it continues to be a source of  pride.  Ask any triathlete who has competed in the Ironman world championships and they’ll be familiar.

Lava Java while not all pleasure (a trait of any start up) was a time and place where they met and made lifelong friends.  And Ron as with any location or stage in his life so appreciated those wonderful moments that were part of Lava Java.  To be specific, the live music, looking at that incredible view from the tables and working along side his wife.  A never ending supply of coffee didn’t hurt matters and it is not surprising at all that he was willing to do it all again.

Ron Swisher, Poet & Postmaster of the Year

I can’t imagine anyone who knew Ron being unaware of his true love and passion for poetry.  He was always working on something and his choice of topics were quite diverse.  From topics expressing his strong faith (probably the largest collection), poems honoring a friend or relative, poems to inspire others, and even those just to make you laugh.

We have been finding poems organized in boxes, single sheets tucked tucked here and there, poems on his computer, and poems written by hand on his legal notepads.  He was prolific and they are his legacy.

My personal favorite collections of his would have to be his Western genre’.  With A WEEK I SPENT IN WYOMING ONE NIGHT standing out in particular.  Or MIDGY, a restrospective poem about using the girl next door for access to her pony – this is actually based on the photo of Ron with the pony above and a true story.  This genre also helps me recall  the pure excitement he had about attending and speaking at the Cowboy Poet’s gathering in Prescott a few years back.

My mother, Karen was just reminded by Gamy of one of her favorite’s, EVIDENCE OF GOD.  You can find this in the comment section where Gamy gratefully posted a copy and we invite you to take a look.

It would be hard to select just one of his poems to represent all he wrote about and was interested in but if I had to chose I would have to go with OPPORTUNI-TREES.  Overall this to me represents his pervasive positivity and strong faith.   Here it is:

On  October 21, 1981 I was flying over the Grand Canyon With tall green trees in the Canyon below. Then I saw the twisted Juniper trees surviving the windy spires covered with snow. I thought of my life with arthritis And some of the storms I’d lived through. How life’s problems had made me stronger then I wrote this on a napkin for you.

OPPORTUNI-TREES

There are trees that grow in valleys down near the fertile swamp.

These trees grow tall straight and beautiful where God’s playful creatures romp.

They never know adversity as they thrive in Sun and rain.

These trees can’t learn the lessons God teaches us through pain.

And then there are the twisted stumps that survive the mountain tops.

These trees must struggle through the stone and wind that never stops.

There aren’t as many survive up here as there are down below,

But those that make it, be assured, won’t topple when bad winds blow.

And so our lives can be compared to these two kinds of trees.

Sometimes we’re stronger and better off when brought down to our knees.

If your life is like the first tree spread your arms and offer aid.

You can shelter in the Winter.  In the Summer, provide shade.

God has given you a good life, show your thanks to Him for all,

But be careful—sink your roots deep so in life’s storms you don’t fall

If your life is like the second tree, be careful not to hate.

Your body may be twisted, but your mind can still be straight

You must go on with faith in God.  Be thankful you’re alive.

You have an obligation to teach others to survive!

Ron Swisher    1981

Never let anything hold you back

Never say never

We came across this image of Ron on a family vacation to Hawaii back in the 80′s.  We are all quite fond of this shot because it really helps us recall how adventurous and fun he was despite his ailments.  He was never one to be left behind, if he thought he could handle it then he’d give it a try or at the very least be standing by as witness.

Speaking of witnesses… I came across a letter to my parents from Allen Lanier about this very event.  I quote, “AND, that time when you just had to go parasailing at Waikiki and as I waited with the others and watched you with your bent-over, stoop-shouldered, corkscrew-crooked torso being strapped into the harness the boat was to pull, I remember hearing some guy say, “That a%*hole is crazy.”  I’ll apologize now but at the time I have to tell you I areed with the  guy.  Sorry…”

Ron was pretty proud of himself for accomplishing the above with his arthritis but actually what was even more impressive is the way that man could snorkel!  With his back as it was and being a NON swimmer, it just didn’t seem possible to snorkel or so he thought but he set to thinking how he could manage it and soon came to the idea that if he laid across $2.00 ABC store  raft he’d be able to manage it and sure enough he did.  If you happened to be in the area and witnessed a pink raft bent in the middle with a man kicking like crazy… that was him.  He LOVED it.  See:

A love for snorkeling - he enjoyed the freedom...

Another classic from the 70′s

Ron, 1972

The back of the photo reads, “Ron accepting the Suitcase at banquet, 1972.  Johnny Quinnonee, Master of Ceremonies sits to right

Early postal days

Letter carrier days

It all began…

Thank you so much Allison Bilbao for emailing through this classic shot of Ron as a baby.  What a precious photo.  It’s made us all laugh tonight looking at that lopsided smile and twinkle in his eye. We’ll talk about the dress later.