Life Complete

What will it take

For the light to be seen

For you to get that truth

And then see what it means

To wake up each day

Glad you're alive

As you go about what's right

Rather than merely survive

You find out complete

How love really feels

Be it romantic or caring

And all that reveals

No grudges are held

No hatred can live

No matter what happens

You always forgive

Whether a stranger just met

or a friend very well known

The key is to care

Asking love all that's shown

Smile with compassion 

Cry with concern

Study the spirit

And all you can learn

No one is perfect 

It is the way it should be

We all need some drama

Or small catastrophe'

To give you discomfort

To jerk you awake 

To help you to grow

To the real from the fake

The real spirit inside

The one known as you

Spirit is forever

This much is true

The flesh it will die

As its existence decays

Yet spirit is eternal

As long as God says

You are made in my image

That spirit is me

An individualized expression

Of who you should be

 

Complex scfii%

Complex scfii%

I awoke one day

To find my place

In my life 

Had gained a space

A hole once not

A spot once filled

But something came

Along and killed

The trust once there

The love once growing

Now it's empty 

And all that's showing

Is the worn out grooves

Where it once had sat

This thing you can't

Label this or that

Because it was 

Your very life

You fought real hard

To keep your wife

You forgave the things

Some said do not

You took the arrows

And slings they shot

You took the times

She called you names

But they dug in deep

And played head games

Like you aren't enough

You ain't what you think

And don't come near me

Your breath it stinks

That was the easy 

Stuff to take

But the secrets and lies

You couldn't shake

You found out late

Like two years after

But she wouldn't talk

And you heard the laughter

They said let it go

It's in the past

But it's in your mind

And there it lasts

It's not some feeling

You just let go

You hurt so bad 

And you want to know

Why she did it

When she knew before

That this will tear you 

At your deepest core

You made it through 

That time intact

Just on the outside

When inside was racked

With doubts of self

And am I bad 

To the point I could lose

All that I had

And why this fellow

Why this guy

Why did she pick

Please tell me why

25 years

Not all so good

But I stuck it out

Just like I should

She said she loved me

She said she cared

She said our children 

Was what we shared

We had this dream

Hers not quite mine

But we lived with the other

Things seemed just fine

But she left you quick 

Because of this app called book

She didn't like 

The girls you'd look

And make your friend

And talk too much 

But you never would meet

You never would touch

You did these things 

Because down the hall

Was a wife with hate

And she gave you all

She said you were stupid

She said you were wrong

She talked to you down

Always this song

So you turned to a place

Where some called you smart

You said "this is different" 

And that was a start. 

Meanwhile the rejections

At home did proceed

You had no clue 

And your heart did bleed

She left you when 

You left to be 

A son to your father 

No regrets you would see

And you got along great

As you helped out your dad

You wondered why your marriage 

Turned out so so bad

But single you were 

And a dad you remained

So you did all you could 

With each dollar you gained

Then one day a person

Comes by with a gift

As you reached for it you thought

Could this cause a rift? 

It revealed a sad secret

The betrayal was big

And the grave was much deeper 

Than one person could dig

It was your wife and a man

You knew once before 

And that tells you he's special 

As he walked through your door

No match for the man 

Who once stole your wife

And he did it again 

And it crushes your life

You must let it go

The bridge you must burn

No counseling no friends

Will say it's her turn

She had it before 

And blamed it on stress 

And you know it is true

Because it couldn't be less

But the words she did share 

When the act did come true

Was don't take it personal

I never meant to hurt you 

But you did 

Don't you see

You did it a lot 

The hurt was on me

You ruined us so easy 

You tore us apart 

If you are friends with my Girl

And you can see the start

Tell her to call

Don't ignore me please talk

We can do it right here

We can just take a walk

But no was the answer 

And the police got a call

Why did you do this 

Why make me fall

It's ironed out now today

It's better to forgive

You can't burn with hate

It's no way to live

So a history you have

Years stacked upon years

And laughs don't forget

They are found between tears. 

It's not all so bad

And our spirits are stronger

And we hurt each other no more

We will do that no longer

We've grown and it's deep

Complicated is life

She is always my friend

Wether or not she's my wife.

Pop quiz hotshot.....what do you do.

Is this really 

What it's all about

You live you learn

You scream then shout

That once I loved 

And now I hate

I want to forgive

But it's not my fate

I grit my teeth 

To gain composure

I try to talk 

To achieve some closure

But no response

Is what I get

I pay the phone

So why should I let

Another person

Disrespect 

The guy who's there

With no neglect

When I left

To help my dad

I took my clothes 

And what I had

Then separation 

Is what I heard

Not from her 

But a little bird

True it was

But I found no papers

A mystery to me

A tv caper

But I continue to pay 

All the bills

To help her out 

With what she wills

The phone I said 

The car tha rent

And when it's done

My money is spent

But I continue

With out a gripe

The debit card 

Continues to swipe

I feel it's right

To do this thing

It doesn't matter 

That I wear no ring

She had my boys

Jordan and Ryan

But with this news

My heart keeps dying

A series of texts

Found on a phone

Where she asks

Are you alone

I'm coming over

I'll be right there

What about Mark? 

Oh I don't care

I hate his ass

And you do too

Don't deny it

And I want you

So when I see

All of these words

My heart it leaves 

Like a flock of birds

Darting off 

Here and there

Never to return

Life isn't fair

Now don't believe 

I've done no wrong

But compared to her 

It's not that strong

A simple flirt

A risqué' word

An innuendo

Something unheard

But never meet

Or never see

Never together

Never to be

Yet she went over

 and he did too

And neither one 

Cared about you

So no contrition

No regret

No I'm sorry

Please don't leave yet

It was a shut door

And a cut phone

And a sudden feeling

That I'm all alone....

The Author is you

New chapter 

New verse

Let's be rid 

Of the curse

Of a story gone bad

One filled with hate

One you must close

Before it's too late

Before you lose faith

Before you lose self

Before you are lost

Put this book on the shelf

It's not your story

It's not your time

Those you read about

They were not your crime

So grab a new novel

A new life indeed

Crack this one open

Look at it and read

Read of your heart

And how it wants you

To be the example

To always stay true

Read how you desire

To be honest with life

Not betraying companions

With a backstabbing knife

This book is your own

You can write it today

Just close the old crap 

And put it away

You thought it was something

You wanted to live

But it took way too much 

Than you ever could give

It left you done reading

All shattered and broken

Used and ignored

A throw away token

Don't take those words

From the book you now hate

And define yourself with them

They carry no weight

So a new book is written

And the author is you

Make love the topic

With the main character as you

Forget the last book

And how poorly it was written

Let it decay on the shelf 

All moth and flea bitten

You have a new life

And it is found in this book

Open it and live it

Give it a good look

Your heart writes the words

And the words are your deed

Make each person say

This is a very good read

It's your book 

It's your story

Do it all 

For God's 

Glory

I'll show you mine (a love type thing)

Do you know

The reason why

We have to live

Until we die

The life of days

And always feeling

Can touch the heart

And get us reeling

Stepping back

And on our guard

We wonder why 

This life's so hard

Why must we feel

So much pain

Why not more sun

Instead of rain

Why not more love

Instead of hate

Why doubt the feeling

Why the need to wait

Because you never know

When you give your heart

If on the other end

The same will start

So then you worry

And the you fret

You give yourself

But you don't get

Why is this

I'll tell you why

Because you belong to you

Not some other guy

You choose your feelings

You chose the feel

You said yourself

You're always real

So don't blame the other

If they seem too slow

It's not their fault

They didn't know

They had to return 

All that you give

That's not the way

We all now live

We live to love

That much is true

But the love is yours

And it comes from you

So don't demand

Or even expect

That love will come

And be direct

Of course they care

As you would too

But after all

That's what you do

So if you love another

Don't change your heart

But don't change the other

That's not your part

That belongs to them 

And if they're real

They won't string you along

About how they feel

Sharing....

What does it tell

Nothing much I see

Except maybe a portion 

Of who I may be

A man of thought

A man of worry

A man who's thoughts 

Are full of hurry 

Going nowhere 

But right back here

You see today and tomorrow

Are very much last year

The same old song

The same old dance

Heard before

It's magic trance 

We grow tired

It gets too much

Is sharing not effective

Is only just a crutch

It's the way your heart and mind

Reacts to help you cope 

The response from friends are helpful 

And they give a ray of hope

So do what your heart feels 

And be just true to you

And don't worry just be honest

And this trouble will be through

Grace is all you need to want

The best gift 

I have ever received 

Is the grace of God

Because I believed

Believed he's in charge

Believed he's the flow

Believed he's the source

Of All I will know

His grace is sufficient

His grace keeps me sane

His grace gives me shelter

From life's wind and rain

This isn't religion

This is not theocratic

This is found in faith

And it comes automatic

You don't need to preach

You just need believe

Then the things you must have

Is what you'll receive

It isn't for luxury

It isn't for money

It's for seeing the good

Making your dark times sunny

You get what you need

Not always what you want 

So your cup runneth over

But not in ways you should flaunt

Just hold on to faith

And do what is right

Pray to understand

Ask to be in the light

You will notice a change

In all you perceive

And it will only take place

When you start to believe

Delight yourself in the Lord........

And he will give you the desires of your heart.......

 

The Haters Way

Lies are told

And lies are heard

Those who believe

Take in every word

They are meant to hurt

And meant to achieve 

A reputation

That will never leave

But if you live

Just as you should

The lie can't touch you

As it could

Don't fight against it

Don't scream and shout

Don't try to explain

What you're all about

It's an exhausting fight

With out no end

It's meant to break you

When you should only bend

Don't ever flicker

Your inner flame

Don't roll the dice

And play their game

It's not your nature

It's not your fight

It's more like you 

To do what's right

Don't ever waiver

Don't change your heart

To be yourself 

Is to play your part

Don't let them win

And the lie they told

Will die on the vine

From growing old.

Be true

To you....

This life is yours - live and learn

You're not a son

You're not a brother

You're not a baby

To your mother

Before all that 

Can be called true

There is this person 

We know as you

An individual

Of unique thought

Can't be sold

Shouldn't be bought

A single soul

Who makes his way

Learning to live 

Day by day

Those who love you

Give advice

You take it in

Then think twice

You own yourself

Even when young

The song you sing

Has already been sung

By those with years

Behind their eyes

Who have lived the truth

Through painful lies

We wish you'd learn 

By watching us 

Then we wouldn't worry 

We wouldn't fuss

But you learn alone

As we all did 

We make our own

Sleeping bed

No matter the lessons

Learned by others

By concerned fathers

And adjusted brothers

It's a life all yours 

As you push and you shove

And we let you come through 

In unconditional love

Don't worry be strong

Because all your mistakes

Create a wisdom 

That only life makes

Live and learn

Work and earn

Be cool don't burn 

Grow with each turn

The Fraud we fell for

I wrote this about Obama 2 years ago.

Who is this? 

The man we elected. 

After 6 hard years,

He is not much respected.

He was a milestone for us.

The first of his shade. 

But look at this nation 

And the mess he has made.

Because you are first

Doesn't make you the best

And in the case of this guy

He's failed every test.

The economy was bad 

When he took the reign.

He blamed it on others,

And said to expect much more pain. 

Every step that he took

Was done to destroy

All of the liberty

We've come to enjoy.

Watch him, he laughs. 

He golfs and he blames.

It's the republicans fault. 

And that's who he shames.

Nothing that's bad

Has been from his hand.

He read it in the paper. 

That he bought from the stand. 

Our nation isn't slow 

We see all he's done

Nothing for us 

As he basks in the sun

Our history is something

He hates and abhors

The tide of Africans

We drug to our shores

His father from Kenya

But never his dad

Taught him our nation 

Was nothing but bad

So he learned from his mother 

And a Muslim she Wed

And Preacher named Wright

And all that they said

He made his way 

On charisma alone

He spoke the right words

He measured his tone

The facade now complete

He spoke a good speech

Bleeding hearts pushed him forward 

And help was far out of reach

So now here we are

Our world is a storm

But to him this is perfect

To him it's the norm

America now reduced

To observe and not act 

The truth is all lies

Regardless of fact

Two years now remain

His job almost done

He cruises through life

And all of its fun

When he's gone we rebuild

We remember and pray

That never again

Are we treated this way

Turn the corner

Turn the corner 

Take it wide

Keep your focus

On what's inside

The things behind you

Trouble and drama

The things that stress

You and your mama

Can see no fault

In what they do

You point them out

And they point at you

They never see

The mirror reflect

Because they lie

And always deflect

So turn the corner

On your own

Block out the noise

Find your zone

Go to work

Support your mom

Defuse the conflict

Disable the bomb

Send it away

To explode out of sight

Let it discover

A new place to fight

You have your life

And that is enough

Than to be dealing with another

And all of their stuff

You come to this life

Alone and crying

You leave this place

Alone and dying

 Surrounded by loved ones

Is what the paper will tell

But those two moments are just you

Between heaven and hell

The time here on earth 

Is meant to transcend

So travel your road

And soon it will bend

The corner will show

And then you will turn

Life will improve

And it's all so you learn

The change

The feelings you once

Held so deep

Start to wane

At times you weep

You think of how

She said she don't

And how you replied

That you never won't

Leave or stop

The way you feel

But something is happening

So what's the deal

You don't control

What's in your heart

You can't force love

You can't make her start

The years and years 

You held your tongue

And took each word

She had ever brung

Into your mind

Into your soul

Making you feel

Out of control

Less of a man

More of a punk

Until suddenly you're in

This unusual funk

It has no form

It has no groove

It has no way 

For you to prove

That it comes from her 

Or what you had

it is just this feeling

And it feels so bad

But bad in a way

That doesn't hurt

Not bad in a way

You're down in the dirt

It's bad because

All these years

All those heartaches

And all those tears

Are fading out

And nothing more

A faint horizon

On a distant shore

You begin to notice

You care much less

And you don't put up

With all the mess

Your heart is changing

The love you felt

Is becoming less

And starting to melt

You recognize

It all as true

And you can't stop it

With anything that you do

You think back on

The times you swore

You'd never leave

Or walk out that door

You were not that guy

You were not that type

You may complain

You might even gripe

But leave the home

Or end the vow

That was not you

No way no how

But over and over

Even now today

She sees you as less

With all she'd say

You are the reason

Things are so uncool

Why a certain boy

Keeps playing the fool

Why she has vices

The others now see

It's because you did it

And the culprit is me

I'm why this thing 

Would never work

I'm always selfish

And quite a jerk

I hide behind 

Big words and phrases

Winning people

Over in phases

First they see

Just what I do

I pay the rent

Wait, I'm not through

I pay the phone

I pay the car

I pay the price

I play the star

I'm the good guy

The one they see

That does the best

Saying look at me

Well now you feel

As though things change

And the emotions inside

Now rearrange

You know this talk

Of why you're out

Why it's over

What it's about

Is based in your need

To have all these friends

A lot of them girls

And the flirts that you send

But you say wait a minute

It goes deeper than this

There are so many points

Everyone seems to miss

The reasons I do 

The things that she hates

And why I just don't

Go out on any dates

It's because I was hurt

So long ago

And told to forget it

She did it and so

That was so long ago

Years when we give thought

But you just can't forget 

The day they were caught

Nobody remembers 

They always forget

The pain and the suffering

The betrayal you met

The words spoken daily

They cut like a knife 

And all of them came

From the one called your wife

Eventually it wears

It tears at your heart

It doesn't matter what year 

Or when it did start

It changes your psyche'

It changes your look

It changes your heart 

Because of the beating it took

Now today it's too late

To explain all the crap

And where it began

There is no such map

But today we can see

And we even can feel

That what there once was

Has no more appeal

I can't help it, I tried

I really held out

But I can't find it inside

And I'm starting to doubt

I will ever recover

This woman I loved

Who destroyed how I cared

She pushed and she shoved

It all out the door

Of our proverbial life

And I not only lost the love

I indeed lost my wife

I could end this poem

I could move on and live

But I can't seem to forget

Although I have to forgive

Tomorrow will come 

Who knows what awaits

I must be open to change

And accept both of our fates

Time so Brief for sons

Just woke up

Ever so brief

To let you know

Time is a thief

It takes your days 

It makes you run

It steals the time

You spend with your sons

Give them love

Give them smiles

Let them know

That all the while

You're there for them

All else is fluff

The time you spend 

Is never enough 

Because they grow up 

Way too fast

And the time you share 

Can never last

Long enough

For you to say

I have no more 

Time today

So be there whenever 

You know you could

Each day each moment

Because you should

They're all you have 

You're own to love

A gift from God 

Sent from above

So I reach over now

And feel him sleep

My wayward son

My love he'll keep

I'm always here 

I'll always be

The dad you need

The dad that's me

I love you son....

Humility over humiliation

What is life

But a one shot deal

To grow in spirit 

By being real

Real as in humble

Not full of pride

Or living a lie

Or trying to hide

The faults and flaws

The wrongs you do

Because only truth

Will get you through

To the other side 

The one of spirit

So speak what's real

So the world can hear it

Don't be fake

Or make a show

Of all you want 

Others to know

That ain't the real 

And honest way

To say what you do

And do what you say

I'm not calling out

All of the liars

But if you are a fake

You best tend to your fires

Because bridges they burn

And you can't go back

If integrity is gone

And character you lack

Think on how 

You want it to end

Can you forgive all you've done

Will the fences soon mend? 

It's not about you

Or all that you've got

It's what you let go 

Did you do it or not? 

Did you hold on to anger

Did you make love to hate

Or did you find your real purpose

It's never too late

To leave the person 

Inside that brings down

All of your dreams 

Makes you look like a clown

Be love and be strong

Be good and be right

Follow the spirit

Within day and night 

Others will notice 

And respect who you are 

Some will dispise you 

And talk from afar

But worry about nothing

Except your own heart

Can you live with yourself

Well at least that's a start 

To be a dad.....

TO BE A DAD IS TO THANK A KID

There are certain things

Like being a dad

That make you realize

What you had 

Were days and years

With an old soul

That came to you 

With one clear goal

To help you grow

Unknown but true

As you provided

With all you do

Work the job

Pay each bill

Be responsible

And you do that still

You aren't so perfect

But a dad will try

To do what's right 

Under the child's watchful eye

No longer for you

Do you live your life

You have a baby

Made with your wife

Perhaps you fought

And argued some

But they saw you forgive

And just whistle and hum

Finding the positive 

In what might be cursed

Taking the best

From all of the worst

Knowing your flaws

Revealed by the child 

Keeping you humble

Calming what's wild

You think that the baby

Is something you teach

But the soul it has 

Is trying to reach

The one within you

The one crying out

For a sense of direction

A clear way out

Of this life in a haze

This life with no clue

This question of why

And what can I do? 

The baby brings purpose

The child brings a need 

To somehow take charge 

To get in the lead

To be bigger than who

You were yesterday

To give the example

To show the right way

So think hard about it

This day for the dad

If a child calls you father

A girl or a lad

They are here not just 

To withdraw from your banks

They help you grow up

For that give them thanks

So I say

Happy kids day

You have changed me 

In so many ways

And you aren't done yet. 

I love you both Jordan Paul Sumner and Ryan Hargrove Sumner. 

It's all on Rails...........The story of John Edward Sumner Sr. Betterknown as "Jack"

"It's all on rails." 

Jack Sumner 




My dad took me to Disney world and as we were waiting in line to ride the ride of the Mississippi riverboat my dad looked at me after I said I couldn't wait to get on it and he told me you know it's on rails right? I said what do you mean? He said I've been standing here in line for the past hour watching that thing go around and around using the same path and I've realized that boat is on rails. Then my dad said this whole place is on rails, that submarine ride we just rode it's on rails, those canoes down there are probably on rails, this whole place is just an illusion son.

That was a profound moment for a 12-year-old to take in. But it stuck with me forever and it gives me an idea of what is really important in this world. What is real and what is fake or not worth our attention. 




So, we must discern that which goes before us. What is real? What is an illusion? What is here to trip us up from advancing spiritually to the next level of growth? How do you avoid the pitfalls of the flesh and the lies they present to tell us to trust in them over what is truly important? What is TRULY important? Do we have the right focus? The right perspective? Are we so absorbed by the trees that we lack the ability to see the forest? 

Think. Don't just react or you too will be caught in the illusion and lose perspective. Enjoy who you ride the rails with and not just the rails so to speak.




Being on rails can also be applied to our life, and my dads life. Being on rails also can be related to being on purpose and I believe in many ways we all get the illusion of being in control and it gives us the forest for the trees effect. My dad, you see, was also on rails. The final days he endured were on rails. The pain he endured was on rails. And the peace he now enjoys is also on rails. It was purpose. God's purpose. "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord....." The scripture goes. His pain brought us all together. It was hard to watch and harder for my dad to go through. But with us so close to Easter here we should know about people suffering for the good to take place. I'm not necessarily saying dad suffered for you and I, but I am saying all he went through, both on that day and the days when he really ran the show all had the very good and loving purpose of affecting so many lives in so many positive ways. Bringing so many together that previously never knew one another. The saying goes "A butterfly flaps its wings and it changes the course of the world." And my father flapped his wings often. There was purpose in all my dad did, and if he was sitting in the audience and perhaps he is, he wouldn't like this all that much because he was never one to blow his own horn unless his nose was running. He would more or less say "All I want is something to tell people I'm dead. That way you won't be answering any more magazine subscription calls for me.", and boy did that happen often.  The thing is even though we are all on rails, we are the engineer and drive the train of our life and believe me, we are quite capable of driving it off the rails and making a train wreck of our lives. Dad handled many train wrecks so to speak that were not of his own making. Not being perfect in the flesh he also handled some of his own but the thing about that is he handled it himself and he even let you know he was going to handle it himself. He would start by pointing an index finger across the table or across the room and begin his plan of action by saying "Let me tell you one damn thing...." And then he would proceed with your undivided attention. He took charge like that when he noticed the ride was getting ready to go off the rails so to speak. He did this very well and because of that, his  "let me tell you one damn thing....." Is the stuff of legend within the family. But you see, if we sat here in a informal setting just discussing my dad we would come up with so many "legends" that it would become a new series on the history channel. I am here to blow my dads horn for him because I know he wouldn't. I hope I end up sounding like his favorite saxophone player, Boots. Randolph, and right now is my version of Yakkety Sax for you. 

I at times get people who come up to me and say "Your last name is Sumner? Are you related to Fill in the blank Sumner?". My response is almost always, if you didn't come from my dad then you aren't related to me in this part of the woods. All the other Sumner's related to my father's family originated with my family in Virginia. You see, my dad was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and went through the Great Depression there as a boy with seven other siblings. He told me he worked cleaning up a movie theater for a dime an hour in order to help the family get by. In contrast, my mother said she knew nothing about the Great Depression because she lived on a farm in Princess Anne County entertaining herself by dressing up cats as her father tended to turkeys, chickens, and crops. So the depression was a non factor for her house hold.

 After that part of American History, World War Two came upon us and dad joined the Navy. He shared stories of being on the island of Saipan and watching movies on bedsheets only to later find behind those sheets at a distance the still warm butts on the ground of Japanese cigarettes from the enemy who also enjoyed the movies in covered positions. His place of embarkation to the pacific theater was the now defunct Pungo airfield, a location in close proximity to my mother's farm. One hot and muggy day, my father boarded a county bus and walked down the aisle to find a seat. There was a seat available next to an attractive young girl and he went to take that seat but before doing so, he leaned over her and opened the window to allow some air to cool her off because she was sitting next to it. A conversation ensued and my dad was invited to a church social that afternoon. Being new to the area he agreed and the person who asked him, my future mother, was no deterrent either.  That day was the beginning of what was to become a marriage of 72 years that was only affected by the "until death do us part" clause in the contract and I am not so sure the two of them are going to honor that aspect of their relationship and so as far as I'm concerned the clock continues to tick on this matrimonial partnership. 

The courtship originally had it's detractors. A story my dad shared with my mother standing and nodding in agreement involved a good night kiss on the front porch of the home that now represents the organization "Hope Haven" down by the Virginia Beach Court complex. Well, my grandfather affectionately known as "Pop pop" witnessed the public display of affection and took to his shot gun, chasing my father all the way down a long gravel drive and into the darkness of North Landing Road. Coming back to the porch he turned to my mother and told her he was going to kill my dad and have my mother thrown in jail for their actions that night.  Today and in the years that passed after that it was a source of much laughter because as a wedding gift my mom's dad provided a plot of land that he would help my dad and a few select individuals build a home upon at 1024 Kempsville Road in Norfolk, Virginia. Perhaps some of you have had the opportunity to see pictures of the construction back in 1946 when Kempsville road was dirt and surrounded by open field.

That portion of Kempsville Road was the next intersection down from Newtown Road on Virginia Beach Blvd., and right down the street so to speak. It was at that intersection that my dad started the business that would give him the provider status we in the family tend to brag about. Not in the "we're rich" kinda way but in the "Man, Dad sure was a hard worker and dedicated businessman. We owe him so much"kinda way.  With that being said, yes, we were all very rich indeed to be blessed with such a man as our patriarch. Dad was a mechanic and his ability was inherited and was demonstrated in his son Johnny and his grandson John Sumner the third who both made and make their living with things that have four wheels and the mechanical aspects of them. When dad sold the station in 1982 he claimed the reasons were many but one of the ones at the top was fuel injection, "If it ain't gotta carburetor I don't want nothing to do with it." He told me. Myself, well, I became auto illiterate mainly because I knew my dad and brother were astute enough to handle things on that end and that's my story and I'm sticking to that one.  

My dad upon retirement didn't retire from life. He was involved in many things including the Shriners who are actually Freemasons of the 32nd degree who gather for events that serve to help crippled and burned children. In 1975 my dad was involved in a Shriner parade unit called the patrol which basically marched in parades. By that time he had been in that unit for years and had pretty much got tired of walking parade routes and he and around twenty of his fellow nobles decided to create their own motorized unit. So they all purchased MG Midgets and created a competition team for parades. Dad initially contemplated joining a motorcycle unit but a dream involving an accident caused him to prefer the four wheel kind of parade vehicle. 

From 1975 until my dads fateful day of having a massive stroke while driving that MG in 1998 he was a integral part to the unit called the Mini Motors, his car being the KMM 20, for it's license plate. They did parades up and down the east coast from Myrtle Beach to Atlantic City and parts in between doing all of their competition practice at the old Met Park parking lot and later at Lake Taylor high school where these little cars would do figure eights and such like little maroon Blue Angels on four wheels that would translate to oohs and ahhhs by impressed parade goers during the finished product. He was just as good as the best driver and it was meant to be that way because they trained diligently. 

That day in 1998 changed everything for my dad and our family. Coming home from an auto dealership while driving that MG he had a major stroke pulling onto Battlefield Boulevard and was struck broadside by a Ford Explorer going at least 55 miles an hour. To me, any other man would have been gone from this world but it was told to me by the gentleman who assisted my dad from the car that he managed to remove himself under his own power and even paused to inspect the damage before taking a seat and awaiting the ambulance. Once at Norfolk General though he had slipped into a coma and was in a semi-conscious state from April 28th to Father's Day of that year when he came to so to speak and knew who everyone in the room was including myself who before this day was being constantly referred to as his brother Eugene. From that moment forward the man who cared for and guided by example as well as deed,  his entire family as well as great number of others, would be now cared for by his family. A long time ago at the beginning of my mom and dads time together he told her "You're going to quit your job, you're going to stay  home and raise the children as we see fit and take care of this home. For you I will provide all you need to do it. We will do this together as man and wife and we will be this way forever." But now following the accident, it was in my mothers court and she would look at me so many times talking to me about how she couldn't do this that or the other thing and at the exact same time, she was doing this that or the other thing exactly as it should be done. Even dad himself told me in a conversation after the accident that it wasn't his call anymore and that you're gonna have to ask your mother, and at times I could see a smile when he said that because he wasn't nervous about the concept of Peggy Sumner handling things, but instead quite content and proud that he had left an example that she took and made for herself so she could be the head of the household in a very successful if not outwardly confident way that could be easily perceived as self deprecating humility. Dad left us on the rails. Dad left everything not as a train wreck but as a family still capable of loving and coming together and with a compassionate and giving heart as well as a work ethic meant to support those dependent upon us. He would be an excellent example of the man whom in the book of Matthew was told by the Master,"Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your masters happiness." And the master for my dad is God. The few things are those obligations and family he had here on earth and the many more responsibilities will be no doubt the serving in spirit as the guiding hand and protection he will give all who loved and knew him as that angel we always desire to have over our shoulder. 

My dad was much more than all of this, especially to me. But also to everyone out here. My brother, his wife, their children and their children's children. My sister whom he now is in communion with in spirit and her children, Chris, Andrea, and Suzi and their children. The legacy of John Sumner lives on as well in name as my brother, John Sumner Jr., his son John the 3rd, and even further, his son John the 4th better known as Jack, carry the name of the Sumner point of origin from Kempsville Road. There are all of us whom he touched and created memories with too numerous to mention up here but we all have them. I suggest you remember those for unexpected conversations later in your life where men of good character are being made the topic of discussion and when the time is right you interject with an evidential story about John Edward Sumner senior or Jack as so many knew him. Let his legacy continue to effect others in how to laugh, love, and live. He will always be my dad but he will also forever be everyone's "Jack Sumner". This is not hyperbole'........This is my dad.

Amen

I love you Dad

Now in Spirit (Always with us)

Finished here 

And now in Spirit

Listen close

You may just hear it

That gentle voice

That easy tone

Jack tells us all

We are not alone

The love we shared 

The joy we felt 

Beats all the pain

We were ever dealt

Now we know 

The race is run

And your work in flesh

Is complete and done

In Spirit now 

We feel your touch

That guiding hand

We loved so much

You fought the fight

You did your part

Now your spirit lives 

Within our heart

You will live forever in all who loved and knew you, 

Thank God for the blessing of you, Jack Sumner

THE GREATEST GIFT

I am here, 

And I love you

All the words

I'll say or do

I do not care 

What others say

This is how

I'll live today

I know our lives

Aren't always set

And it's not over

No, not quite yet

So I think I'll just 

Hedge my bets

And live my days

With no regrets

I'll try so hard

To make you see

Through fading sight

It's you and me

Right here right now

Just like it's been

I'm not gonna stop

And I will always begin

To be here and love you

To answer your call

There is nothing between us

No, never a wall

And that's how it should be

For a father and son

Be there when you're needed

When it gets tough, don't run

No regrets be the motto 

No thinking what if

Because to look back and smile

Is the greatest gift

Fighting the good fight......every minute..........every day.........

,Fight the good fight. Meaning to keep the faith. To do what is right. To be pleasing to God. To delight in the Lord. To finish the race. To pass the test. To live in the Spirit. Above all else, never surrender to the things of the worlds that seek to separate you from the faith you have found and have come to know carries you through this world and all of it's trials and soul building events. 

The fight is not 15 rounds. Not 12. Not some 3 round MMA. It is a life long struggle against the flesh and the world. When it comes to us with the intent of causing our testimony to be damaged. When it seeks to harm our self image or esteem. When it attempts to draw us to itself and leave our faith. Family, friends, strangers, job, inanimate objects, stinking thinking, any variable that creeps in or perhaps kicks the door down to our peace. 

Music is a means to finding a frame of mind for me to fight the good fight. The song of that name by Triumph, a three piece Canadian band has what song consider religious or spiritual and biblical overtones. It was praised for such elements when it was released in the early 80's as a hard rock song. As I grew older I came to depend on the lyrics as a means of gathering myself during times of trial and test. They are both uplifting and guiding. 

The days grow shorter and the nights are getting long

Feels like we're running out of time

Every day it seems much harder tellin' right from wrong

You got to read between the lines

Don't get discouraged, don't be afraid, we can

Make it through another day

Make it worth the price we pay 

The Good Book says it's better to give than to receive

I do my best to do my part

Nothin' in my pockets I got nothin' up my sleeve

I keep my magic in my heart 

Keep up your spirit, keep up your faith, baby

I am counting on you

You know what you've got to do 

Fight the good fight every moment

Every minute every day

Fight the good fight every moment

It's your only way 

All your life you've been waiting for your chance

Where you'll fit into the plan

But you're the master of your own destiny

So give and take the best that you can 

You think a little more money will buy your soul some rest

You'd better think of something else instead

You're so afraid of being honest with yourself

You'd better take a look inside your head 

Nothing is easy, nothing good is free

But I can tell you where to start

Take a look inside your heart

There's an answer in your heart 

Fight the good fight every moment

Every minute every day

Fight the good fight every moment

Make it worth the price we pay

Every moment of your lifetime

Every minute every day

Fight the good fight every moment

Make it worth the price we pay

They get a lot of their meaning from the first and second books of Timothy. 1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. And 2Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

We awake to a world of tests and quizzes and confrontations and options every day. How do you respond? How do you act? How do you present yourself? Out of control? Measured? On purpose? Chaotic? Wise? Impulsive? Humble? Prideful? Selfish? Giving? 

The song tells us that we must persevere. "Don't get discouraged, don't be afraid." And to "keep up our spirit and keep up our faith". We have a moral compass with in.

I guess I believe in biorhythms. According to believers in biorhythms, a person's life is affected by rhythmic biological cycles which affect one's ability in various domains, such as mental, physical, and emotional activity. These cycles begin at birth and oscillate in a steady sine wave fashion throughout life; thus, by modeling them mathematically, a person's level of ability in each of these domains can be predicted from day to day. That definition courtesy of wikipedia. I do look for confirmation while researching certain subjects, but in this case I just wanted the reader to get the gist of what I was talking about.
I feel there are times in our lives when we are more capable of dealing with chaos or significant stress. Maybe an event that exceeds going to pick up your prescriptions and finding out they were never filled and you must wait another 3 hours. Not that I have experienced that specifically but what I am getting at is there would be days you react to that a bit in control. Perturbed, aggravated, but not flying of the handle like Buddy Rich as the Beastie Boys like to say. You say to yourself, "I have a few other matters to tend to and it is what it is, I'll do those and come back for the prescriptions later.
Then there is the time you absolutely snap from within. Nothing outside yourself is quite different than the day you cope well. It's just at this time in your life, the smallest inconvenience or disappointment, or person who fails to behave according to your needs, will turn you into another individual who is in no way popular, attractive, mature, or controlled. Add to that, the emotional train wreck you feel you are alone in experiencing. These are the days I feel people have the potential to do great harm to themselves and/or others. These are the days and individual gets this overwhelming wave of hopelessness and even worse, helplessness. No one cares, no one understands, no one can see you are spiraling out of control at 30,000 feet. It is at this time we need to be in a crowd or surrounded by people who want to help us understand "this too shall pass". 

It's part of that fight that is our life. We must not give up on ourselves and our ability to transcend any given situation. The hopelessness is the world and the adversary trying to make us lose our faith. Fight the good fight. Win that fight. Job was tested in ways we cannot imagine or comprehend. He came forth as gold. Joseph had many opportunites to surrender to his circumstance and lose faith but in Genesis 50:20 he confirmed his faith and his ability to forgive those who persecuted him. "You meant to harm me but God meant it for good. To accomplish what is now being done. The saving of many lives."  Hang on and show good faith. Do what is right and good. Persevere. Make it through. The blessing awaits.. This too shall pass. Know you are not alone. The Holy Spirit lives with in. You are not an impulsive animal living strictly on instinct. You have this ability to love. To forgive. To think. To take pause. Let the spirit guide you in love. Fight the principalities that confront you in ways that diminish their ability to affect you. When you feel weak, remove yourself from the situation until you can return in spirit and not flesh. Ephesians 6:12 tells us 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The things before us are mere vehicles for the greater evil and sin of this world to kill our faith and accept our surrender. But that is not our fate. As the song goes, "There are many here among us, who feel that life is but a joke. But you and I we've been through that. And this is not out fate. So let us stop talking falsely now. The hour is getting late. "

There is no time for games in matters of faith. We need not vacillate. There is no better time than now to show ourselves approved. Fight the good fight. Every minute. Every day. Fight the good fight every moment. Make it worth the price we pay.