THE LUCKIEST MAN

THE LUCKIEST MAN




Do you know
WHO Lou Gehrig was


Lou Gehrig-other than Roberto Clemente-
WAS probably my most favorite baseball player


He PLAYED for the NEW YORK YANKEES
From 1923-to 1939
And was twice named American League MVP
(most valuable player)


In 1969
He was VOTED the greatest first baseman
Of all time
By the BWA (baseball writer's of America)
And was the leading vote getter
On the major league ALL CENTURY TEAM
CHOSEN in 1999


HIS nickname was “THE IRON HORSE”


But Mr. Gehrig-like ALL of us will-
SUCUMBED to something-
SUCCUMBED to Lou Gehrig's Disease
Otherwise known as ALS
(Or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)


On June 21^st, 1939
The Yankees announced Mr. Gehrig's retirement
And July 4^th, 1939 was proclaimed
As “Lou Gehrig APPRECIATION DAY”


And on July 4^th, 1939
Mr. Gehrig began what has been called
“BASEBALL'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS”-
Beginning his speech with


“YET today
I consider myself THE LUCKIEST MAN
ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH”


And that is what Mr. Gehrig was-
THE LUCKIEST MAN
LUCKY because he was LOVED
AND APPRECIATED


And that is
What we men and women
ARE today
LUCKY-because we are LOVED


AND BLESSED


That's what we ALL are
LUCKY and BLESSED
Because we all are
LOVED by God
And LOVED by others


I often feel
LIKE the LUCKIEST man alive


38 years of EXTRA LIFE
AFTER I was told
It would end


The greatest parents
And getting to spend
So much EXTRA TIME with them


Even being with them
AS they were passing
To the next life


A beautiful sister Terri
Who has constantly HELPED me
And calls me every single day


A beautiful sister in Mary
And four beautiful healthy nieces
ONE more beautiful than the next


And a wonderful extended family
With whom I have spent much time with
OVER the years


And BEAUTIFUL friends and churches
BOTH old and new


VERY LUCKY and VERY BLESSED
That's what Mr. Gehrig would say that I was


THAT'S WHAT I AM
That's what Mr. Gehrig was


THAT'S WHAT WE ALL ARE
The LUCKIEST men and women alive


For we are LOVED BY GOD
AND LOVED by ONE ANOTHER


Robert P. Wallman
9-9-14


Ps Thanking God for the many BLESSINGS in my life

I do indeed feel like THE LUCKIEST MAN ALIVE