I heard a can top pop open and peel back. A strange smell crossed my nose. I had smelled it before. All of a sudden, it came to me, Vienna Sausages. I was sitting on the Mall in Washington D.C. I was there for the 1997 Promise Keepers rally. There were over a million men that day. It was hot; that made the odor worse. I thought to myself, “Who in the world opens Vienna Sausages in the heat of the day on the Mall at D.C.?” I turned my head to look behind me. There was the culprit, Arnold Brown.
I was reminded of this story when I saw a can of Vienna Sausages while traveling in the southern region of Afghanistan. At the sight of them, my memory was flooded with images and thoughts of a particular event and a wonderful person.
Many of you don’t know Arnold. Arnold was an older man, at that time about 50 plus. I know that isn’t old for all you 50 year olds. But Arnold had aged a little more in his 50 years. Arnold had a slow intellect. He made up for it with heart. Somewhere along the way, Arnold became a fixture on all of our trips – youth, men, and adult trips. It didn’t matter where or when we left, Arnold was there.
I remember one time that Wayne Jones, I believe, said that when he got to the church to get the bus ready for a trip that Arnold slipped out of the shadows beneath the light pole. Wayne asked him how long he had been waiting. Arnold said that he got there around 4:30am. He didn’t want to miss a trip. As I think back, I am glad that he didn’t.
So sitting on the Mall in D.C., I caught a whiff of Vienna Sausages. As I watched Arnold methodically prepare to eat the gross food object, I learned something that day. You see, Arnold may be slow; but he was practical. For years, on the few occasions that I had actually eaten Vienna Sausages, the process of getting started properly had eluded me. The question has always been, “How do you get that middle one out and get started?” You can dig it out with your finger. But, that is messy and gross, like you would actually be worried about getting it on your fingers. I mean, they are processed pork pieces. Getting it on your fingers should be your least concern. The other method, and my preferred, would be to use a utensil to dig it out. Then use the utensil to easily extract the remaining sausages. But, you still don’t extract a perfectly whole sausage. Either way, damage is done.
It took a trip to D.C. with Arnold Brown to learn how to effectively extract a Vienna Sausage. If you have a weak constitution, beware! After noticing that it was Arnold breaking out the sausages, I became interested as I watched him prepare to consume them. The moment of discovery came. You see, Arnold took the can. He drank the disgusting juice from the can. I need to mention here for the sake of effect that Arnold had not one tooth in his head. Now, that doesn’t mean that he had no teeth. They just were not in his head. While he was eating Shrimp in New Orleans once, tails and shells included, I asked him, “Arnold why don’t you have your teeth?” He answered, “I do.” Seeing him struggling to eat shrimp with the tails and shells I had to ask, “Where are they?” Patting his chest he said, “They are in my shirt pocket.” Well of course they are, I thought. Where else would your teeth be Tim? So anyway, he drank the juice from the can. Here is where I was enlightened. He then wrapped his lips completely around the top of the open can (for greater suction) and sucked the middle sausage out. By the way, there was literally a pooping sound when the middle one shot out. Now why didn’t I think of that? From there it was easy. He reached his index finger in and pulled out the remaining sausages fully intact.
Simple things, simple people make life good. Sitting on a hillside watching a sunset. That doesn’t take intellect. It only takes the ability to appreciate beautiful things. Taking time with a small child who is alone. That only takes a few minutes. Noticing something positive about someone who is constantly bombarded with negative statements. It takes simple consideration. Getting the middle sausage out of the can. It takes practical reasoning. These are the things that you miss when you run through life so quickly attempting get it all done better and faster, attempting to please people who really don’t care.
Arnold Brown – simple. Arnold Brown – a joy to have known. Arnold Brown will always be remembered by a group of ragamuffin believers at Blooming Grove Baptist Church.
I was reminded of this story when I saw a can of Vienna Sausages while traveling in the southern region of Afghanistan. At the sight of them, my memory was flooded with images and thoughts of a particular event and a wonderful person.
Many of you don’t know Arnold. Arnold was an older man, at that time about 50 plus. I know that isn’t old for all you 50 year olds. But Arnold had aged a little more in his 50 years. Arnold had a slow intellect. He made up for it with heart. Somewhere along the way, Arnold became a fixture on all of our trips – youth, men, and adult trips. It didn’t matter where or when we left, Arnold was there.
I remember one time that Wayne Jones, I believe, said that when he got to the church to get the bus ready for a trip that Arnold slipped out of the shadows beneath the light pole. Wayne asked him how long he had been waiting. Arnold said that he got there around 4:30am. He didn’t want to miss a trip. As I think back, I am glad that he didn’t.
So sitting on the Mall in D.C., I caught a whiff of Vienna Sausages. As I watched Arnold methodically prepare to eat the gross food object, I learned something that day. You see, Arnold may be slow; but he was practical. For years, on the few occasions that I had actually eaten Vienna Sausages, the process of getting started properly had eluded me. The question has always been, “How do you get that middle one out and get started?” You can dig it out with your finger. But, that is messy and gross, like you would actually be worried about getting it on your fingers. I mean, they are processed pork pieces. Getting it on your fingers should be your least concern. The other method, and my preferred, would be to use a utensil to dig it out. Then use the utensil to easily extract the remaining sausages. But, you still don’t extract a perfectly whole sausage. Either way, damage is done.
It took a trip to D.C. with Arnold Brown to learn how to effectively extract a Vienna Sausage. If you have a weak constitution, beware! After noticing that it was Arnold breaking out the sausages, I became interested as I watched him prepare to consume them. The moment of discovery came. You see, Arnold took the can. He drank the disgusting juice from the can. I need to mention here for the sake of effect that Arnold had not one tooth in his head. Now, that doesn’t mean that he had no teeth. They just were not in his head. While he was eating Shrimp in New Orleans once, tails and shells included, I asked him, “Arnold why don’t you have your teeth?” He answered, “I do.” Seeing him struggling to eat shrimp with the tails and shells I had to ask, “Where are they?” Patting his chest he said, “They are in my shirt pocket.” Well of course they are, I thought. Where else would your teeth be Tim? So anyway, he drank the juice from the can. Here is where I was enlightened. He then wrapped his lips completely around the top of the open can (for greater suction) and sucked the middle sausage out. By the way, there was literally a pooping sound when the middle one shot out. Now why didn’t I think of that? From there it was easy. He reached his index finger in and pulled out the remaining sausages fully intact.
Simple things, simple people make life good. Sitting on a hillside watching a sunset. That doesn’t take intellect. It only takes the ability to appreciate beautiful things. Taking time with a small child who is alone. That only takes a few minutes. Noticing something positive about someone who is constantly bombarded with negative statements. It takes simple consideration. Getting the middle sausage out of the can. It takes practical reasoning. These are the things that you miss when you run through life so quickly attempting get it all done better and faster, attempting to please people who really don’t care.
Arnold Brown – simple. Arnold Brown – a joy to have known. Arnold Brown will always be remembered by a group of ragamuffin believers at Blooming Grove Baptist Church.
Comments
Enjoyed this one buddy... looking forward to you coming back home.
Thanks for leaving your words for me. I always get excited when someone leaves a comment, especially you guys. Looking forward to some wine with both of you.