07/28/2020
Today is Monday July 27 2020. Saturday was the end of my Hotdog Dream. I did my last event that day at Farm at Bentley Fields in Cocke County Tn. A beautiful venue and I guess the perfect place to end my career. I started nearly six years ago with my Hotdog cart and a crazy dream. During all these years I have met so many wonderful and sometimes crazy like me people. I studied all I could researched and worked and made Judy (who really wasn't crazy about hotdogs) sample so many hotdogs. Finally I found the one she liked. I knew if she liked it I had found a winner. My first setup was at Porters Tire. I was as excited as a kid in a toy store. So now as my career comes to a close, I think of all the friends (i hope) I made and stories they told and actually the Love I have for them all. The kids who loved my dogs, the people who would come up and tell me how they'ed been eating at a certain market and how they were the best they'd ever had. They'd ask if mine were as good and I'd say no, they'd look at me strange and I'd say they're better and say if you don't think so I'll give your money back. In all my years never gave a refund and got a lot of new friends. I know some call them customers but to me they were friends, the friend that always made Judy and I so much stuff, pillows, masks all kind of sewing. Then my friend who had cancer and when they first started coming had no hair and taking therapy and then just before my next to last day out they come by and take off the cap and guess what we have hair, Praise God for his healing and for their friendship. I felt the Joy in their heart, and one couple who were one of my first . They brought their boys and they loved my dogs and became a special treat to have them I watched as they grow up and even get driver license. Great young men just like their parents. Let's not forget about the other old folks like me, fellow veterans who we shared stories and experiences, the tour bus drivers that would tell me about the trips they'd just returned from. The preachers and I talked religion and how times have changed. I know you won't believe this but sometimes we'd all talk politics. Lets' talk community. I never knew there were so many people caring, I had so many friends that would pay it forward and to see the looks on the people who received them were so thankful , like the guy who asked for water and i asked if he was hungry he said yes and I told him it was taken care of by someone else or someone who didn't have enough for her and her daughter so get got one to and so many more who received them. I'm not a big religious person but I try but fall way short. I remember setting up next to the Hospital in Morristown and people would come down where they'd been visiting ill family. Sometimes we'd sit and I'd listen to them and a lot of times we prayed I had a cancer patient who had his wife bring him by and one guy that would stop on his way back from the doctor because he didn't want him to know he was eating with me. I also lost some friends to different illnesses and events in life.
As i sit there Saturday night with my youngest granddaughter Kaitlynn handing the last Modog Meals and seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter and the banter between us all. I have to admit a little something must have got in my eyes cause they were watering up a little. I love You all and will miss you but your memories will always be in my heart and soul. I didn't mention any names but you all know who you are I didn't want people to know I had favorites. So as I backed the trailer back into it's spot ,washed my dishes and cleaned up and must have got something else in my eyes cause they watered up again. I went from a cart and finally my trailer. I feel like my life has been a dream. I want to thank my wife Judy without her I couldn't have done it. My special friends and family who helped me when I couldn't get help they stepped up and said I'll help Papaw. Well I have to sign off the screens getting blurry and One again Thank You for your support and the Love I felt from you all to. Now I prepare for the next stage of my life, enjoying retirement and if you see me out you can still hollar hotdog man. Good Bye God Bless You All he certainly has me with friends like YOU.
