8 minute read
Jimmy Blevins
It’s the Journey that Counts
I was born in a small community in the Bristol area of the county. My father was an alcoholic, but I had a very loving and caring mother. Mom took the five of us kids to church and encouraged us to get involved in sports, to do well in our schoolwork, and to go to college to further our education.
Times were difficult for Mom because she had three boys and two girls, but she never gave up, even with all the difficulty
by Jimmy Blevins, Ashe County Chief Executive officer (CEO) of SkyLine/SkyBest
she went through raising five kids. To support our family, Daddy worked on the maintence crew for a local town, and Mom worked in a school cafeteria.
Sports were a huge influence and a big part of our lives. All of us kids played sports. I played football, wrestled, and ran track. We were very active in school. We’d stay late at practice because, truthfully, we dreaded going home. But in spite of that, we were committed to doing our best the way Mom had taught us.
At times, Daddy would get violent and we’d have to leave. Mom would drive to the old hospital parking lot and we would sleep in the car. This kind of life affects you in so many ways as a child. I’ve told my son that no one knows what kids go through the night before going to school the next day. Many teachers have no idea what “little Johnny” has gone through, why he doesn’t have his homework or his lunch or why he is sad.
Made Better Because of Trials
I never got to know my Daddy. When he wasn’t drinking he was a very likable man, but at 21 and a junior in college I realized I never got to know him. That summer, as I did for eight years, I was working with the Chuck Gardner family at their Christmas tree farm. Gardner’s son, Rick, was my boss.
(Cont. on Pg. 4)
I came home from shearing trees one day
and learned that Daddy was in the hospital. A girlfriend told me that I needed to see my father and get to know him. I went to the hospital to talk to him but he was asleep and I didn’t want to wake him up. There was a ballgame that night so I went to it. While I was at the game, Daddy got worse and went into a coma. He died a couple of days later. We never had that talk. I’d liked to have had the opportunity to get to know him.
The difficulties our family went through made all five of us kid’s better people. We learned from our Mom to be dependable and hard-working. We had to depend on each other and the Lord. My brother, Johnny, now a pastor in Elkin, had the greatest influence on my life. As we grew from boyhood into manhood, Johnny was always positive and told us we could be what we wanted to be.
Things Happen for a Reason
I also believe that things happen for a reason. In the seventh grade, Rick Gardner was my football coach and has had a great influence on my life since. Rick has been my teacher, coach, employer, and friend. I worked for him on the Gardner Christmas Tree Farm for eight
We got out early, 5:30 AM, to work in the trees, and I appreciated the mix of hard work, camaraderie, and friendship I had with all the Gardners. Rick, Ken, and Chuck (their dad) helped me more than they will ever know, and I really appreciate them.
God’s Timing Is Perfect
I tell people that success in life is all about timing. All my life, I’d wanted to be an engineer. I worked hard in high school and won a full veteran’s scholarship to N.C. State. Concentrating on my studies came first, and I rarely made it home. I graduated in 1984 with a civil engineering degree and quickly found a job with the largest engineering firm in North Carolina at that time.
Although my engineering job was going well, when I was home visiting, a friend suggested that I apply for a job at Skyline Telephone. Hobie Davis, the CEO, took a chance on me and put me to work. Hobie mentored and helped me a great deal while we worked together. A fine board of directors has shown me how dedication and concern for others translates into the workplace. Now I can look back and see that coming to Skyline was God’s divine guidance. It was the right time.
When I went to a local bank to open a checking account after I’d been hired as an engineer at Skyline, I had no idea the young woman who helped me would become my wife two years later. Judy and I worked out at Little’s Gym on weeknights, and we began talking. Talking led to dating and dating led to marriage. It’s all about timing, the timing of the Lord.
Influencing for the Good
Judy and I have one son, Jacob. I don’t have very many happy memories from growing up, so I’ve tried to make happy memories for Judy and Jacob, whether it’s raining and we are shivering in a lean-to on Mt. Rogers, hiking as a family, vacationing, flying to the Grand Canyon on a whim, or just being in the stands at Jacob’s ballgames. We love being together no matter what we are doing, and I desire to be a good influence on my family.
The older I get and the longer I’m in this job, the more I realize how important it is to be a good influence on people. Now, I can see the value of mentoring young people. The Gardner family, and Rick especially, mentored me with their support during the years of my youth. It means a lot to people to just give them a pat on the back and tell them they did a good job. As CEO of Skybest, I want to do the same thing for our employees that Hobie Davis did for me -- he encouraged me and helped me be my best for this company and in my life. There are so many who have played a signifant role in my (almost) 50 years, but the Lord has been my constant. He is the best mentor, leader, and friend I’ve ever had.
In His timing, He brought me out of a difficult home situation and has given me stability, a good job, and a wonderful family. I hope, because of where I’ve come from, that I can be that positive role models for others.
Relish the Moment
Robert J. Hastings wrote in his famous essay, “The Station is an illusion…it constantly outdistances us…tucked away in our minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent…we’re traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures… valleys, city skylines and village hails.”
Hastings says, “That we wait ‘til we’re eighteen…win that promotion…put the last kid through college…have a nest egg for retirement…from that day on we will all live happily ever after…but sooner or later we realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all…The journey is the joy… yesterday belongs to history, tomorrow belongs to God.”
He closes with this: “Relish the moment… couple it with Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
I try to relish each day, enjoy my family, my church, my co-workers, and my Lord. It is the journey that counts.
Welcome to our new, improved and expanded edition of “The Journey”.
Wow! Are the holidays upon us already? I guess, as they say, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” I trust you really are having fun and enjoying your own journey as you go. Whether you are having fun or not, I believe you will find inspiration in these pages to help you gain perspective and meet your own challenges in life, whatever they are.
I love a good story! That’s why we take the time to find interesting people from all walks of life who are willing to share their spiritual journeys through this publication. Because of the diversity of writers, we are not always able to endorse everything that is said nor can we be held responsible for the total veracity of every story, but we are happy to share each unique one.
Whether you are visiting the High Country or a resident here, I believe your hearts will be warmed by the love of God that each person has shared about, in the telling of their stories. I also believe you will gain a deeper appreciation of what makes these mountains such a great place to live. Happy Reading!
Contents
Jimmy Blevins p. 3 Mindy Coatney p. 7 Tim Brown p. 8 Debbie Edwards p. 11 Mark Chaney p. 12 Judy Hawks p. 15 Kevin Frye p. 16 Danny & Kathy Whittington p. 18 Leila Harris p. 20 Tommy Burleson p. 22 Martha Crosswell p. 28 Carl Clawson p. 30 Melissa Grogan p. 33 Mellott Faust p. 35 Marti Barinowski p. 36 George Wright p. 38 Fran Steelman p. 40 Doc Hendley p. 42
c Copyright 2011
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