A Book of Essays: Pappy’s Proverbs: One Louisiana Man's Opinion

By Patrick H. Anderson

I started writing this book in Columbus, Ohio, at a mortarboard club meeting with Martha when she was at ULM (University of Louisiana at Monroe). She liked the first article, so I started writing some more. She like them all!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973654285

Patrick H. Anderson

Patrick Henry Anderson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 17, 1938. He grew up in West Monroe and Monroe, Louisiana. Patrick graduated from Neville High School in Monroe and attended Southwestern La State College in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Northeast LA State College in Monroe. Patrick married John Ann Painich (deceased) and has three children. He also married Martha Jane Burns Upshaw Anderson (deceased). He currently resides in West Monroe, Louisiana.

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Copyright © 2019 Patrick H. Anderson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-5427-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-5428-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901928

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/4/2019

Contents

Foreword

Self-Pity

God’s Gifts in Life Are Free

What’s Real?

Ain’t This the Truth!

Your Personal Strength

Hey! You’re a Miracle!

What about Money?

What about Love?

What about You?

Everybody Dreams

Respect! Where’d It Go?

Soul—What Is It?

Jealousy! What’s That About?

Everybody Is Somebody

The Pursuit of Happiness

Trustworthiness

Nobody’s Perfect

Communication Skills

Opportunities or Choices?

Destiny?

Perseverance

Never Judge a Man

Enthusiasm!

The Truth Pays Off

Author’s Reflections

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Billy Ledbetter, friend and artist

1944-2008.

Foreword

Martha Jane Burns Anderson PhD.

Author’s Wife & Best Friend

We need to know the full truth about how happy people choose to be happy. Patrick Anderson has implemented some choices in his life that are full of fun and logic and thus he is always laughing and making people around him want to be with him. No matter the situation: home, church, Sunday school class, golf, parties, children, grandchildren, eating out, Neville meetings, or just getting together, life is more fun with him than without him.

The following are adjectives that describe this fun-loving, good person: always smiling, always speaking to others and acknowledging others, kindhearted, friendly, courteous, we-can-do-it attitude, foxy, loving, laughing, loyal, joking, and just plain having fun no matter the circumstances that confront him. He is a friend that always brings something extra to the table that we don’t forget. He is a helper to all who ask and helps without complaining. He is strong as an ox and has a secure sense of well-being.

All of the above is true; however, he never knew his biological mother. He chose not to let this family situation keep him from having a great life. He chose to focus on what he had going for him—acceptance from his peers because of his great personality and his athletic prowess and pure strength. He has maintained childhood friends who relish hearing his nickname, Ape, called. When Ape or Pat walks in the room, we know the time will be better, and it will be worth the wait. All his family members adore him and want to be with him. He has made such a difference in so many lives, and one of his grandsons says, I like to be around Pappy because he is always in a good mood. When he comes home in the evening, the dogs jump higher and bark louder, and he brings a welcomed smile to the home—not just somedays but every day.

Because of his success in living every day to the fullest, he wanted to share some of the life lessons that he knows have made a difference for him and his family. He invites all of us to learn from his stories that are told in such a way that one hears Pat speaking to us as we read them. Pat has great common sense and can size up a situation and a person almost instantly. Pat has had some tough breaks in life; he tells us to accept those hardships and move on from the downside to the upside. He has a real presence when he enters the room and speaks in such a way that you know he talks from the heart. His redneck logic can be understood by all who read his words of wisdom.

Pat, we would have all missed the proverbial boat had you not been a huge part of our lives. We thank you that you are who you are and