37 Comments
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Barry P Osborne's avatar

Your beautiful story gives clear meaning to the Gospels' term for believers ..as "salt of the earth.."

What a beautiful person..... Certainly shows that happiness does live within.... Great story.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Barry, and I totally agree. They come better than Chub. I'm sure you've met quite a few like him in your lifetime. :)

Deborah's avatar

Loved hearing about Chub and his history! We stop by for BBQ now and then and he exudes goodness, oh, and great BBQ:)

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

And now, when you stop by, you'll have even more to talk about! 😊 Thanks for reading, Deborah, and for seeing (and tasting) that goodness.

Mary Robinson's avatar

Love learning about Luther, thanks for sharing.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, Mary. I'm fortunate to have had people like Luther in my life. Also Chub...and you! Appreciate you being here.

Gary Gruber's avatar

A powerful portrait of a man who mows, and a man who knows who he is and what he’s about. Those who get a gift of time with Chub are enriched by being in his presence. Thanks for the story, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Yes, Gary, enriched is right! It takes a little slowing down, which is something I have to work on. Nice to have wiling teachers. Grateful for the comment.

Suzanne Todd's avatar

What a great story about a wonderful man. Inspiring. I’m thinking this will certainly help his business, though it doesn’t sound like he needs help. We’ll be stopping there.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

If this piece helped bump up his business enough that he could afford to buy that trailer (not that I'd ever know!) I think that would be amazing. Thanks for reading, Suzanne. 😊

Susan Baker's avatar

I missed the fields of gladiolus when the farm stopped growing them. And I wondered why the old schoolhouse had a nice newish roof but needed paint and loving restoration. So nice to read about and see Mr Chub.They sure don't have BBQ like that in Ohio!

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Those flowers were something, weren't they? And being able to walk into that cooler anytime, for a self service selection - unbeatable! I'm not so sure what's happening with the schoolhouse. I suppose the new roof was a stop gap for further decline, but the rest of the building sure could use some love. Be sure to put Chub on your list of stops when/if you get back this way, Susan. And thank you for your comment.

Rona Maynard's avatar

Wish I could taste his BBQ. This tangy story was the next best thing.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

If you do ever find yourself on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, please let me know! Thanks for reading, Rona. :)

Rona Maynard's avatar

I have Maynard relatives on Chesapeake Bay near California. They hosted a family reunion two years ago, and it was too much fun to be the last. So there could be a food truck meeting in our future.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

That would be a riot! California is still roughly 2 hours from me, so you'd have to have a strong yearning for either barbecue or a meet up with an "invisible friend."

Erica Weick's avatar

A wonderful story, beautifully told!

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Erica. He's a good guy to know.

Amy Cowen's avatar

A beautiful profile and portrait, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'm happy to have learned more about him in writing this piece, Amy. So many folks we "know without knowing." Appreciate you being here, as always.

prue batten's avatar

A lovely man with depth to his soul.

Chub will always be the kind of person the world needs - the ones we don't hear about enough. Stories about folk like these are the best kind because they gives us back our faith in human nature.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

He has certainly taught me a thing or two, Prue, mostly about what kindness looks like in real life. It doesn't require much. Just a sincere heart. Thanks so much for your comment. How're you feeling??

prue batten's avatar

Light at the end of the tunnel... XXXX

roe squire's avatar

This is just exactly the story my heart needed this morning. As always, thank you.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, Roe. (Gah, I sure do miss seeing you!) I hope somehow this story will give back to Chub some of the goodness he brings to the world. 🧡

roe squire's avatar

Agreed! and I miss you so very much and feel incredibly grateful for your essays.

Rebecca Holden's avatar

Oh, Elizabeth. Such a beautiful post. Thank you for this stunning treat of a read. ❤️❤️❤️

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I'm grateful you read and enjoyed it, Rebecca. May we all find hope it folks like Chub.

Rita Ott Ramstad's avatar

This is such a lovely and lovingly-written portrait. It's all the small, telling details you've included. A master-class in showing rather than telling. I read it quickly the other day, and just again now, more slowly. I love love love "church is in your heart." I see both his and yours in this piece.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

This is a lovely and generous comment, Rita. Thank you for reading a second time and for appreciating all the little bits that make Chub worth knowing. 🧡

RobS's avatar

Beautiful. If only there were more people like Chub. Actually I’m sure there are many, but like him, they remain invisible to the rest of us.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Rob. Something of a goal, for me, or maybe something of a dream, to make them more visible. Lots of folks looking for heroes, but I think they might be looking in the wrong places.

Corey Smith's avatar

You were right. The barbeque was well worth talking about. I’ve know a couple men like Chub. They are rare.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

You're probably right that they are rare, Corey. But I'm holding out hope that there are more out there than we realize. Thanks for the comment!

Gary Spangler's avatar

“Salt of the earth “ my grandparents would say. Such a wonderful share, Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, Gary. Chub's story will become part of a series, if my plans pan out. But he certainly stands on his own as a solid example of what matters in the world. Thank you for reading and commenting.