Ernest Hemingway
It would be wonderful to have Ernest Hemingway as a neighbor. Even if he was private person and didn’t want to be bothered, I’d find reason to knock on his door and not stay to long. I’d ask quick questions just about him and inquire of a time it would be o.k. to come again. So gifted in story and realistic in mind, he was. In my research for this man there is one word that most describes Ernest Hemingway, Truth. I believe that may be the under current that has drawn me to such a man as this, Truth.
There is not enough pages for me to write all my story of Hemingway, but I would like to share one great adventure. It all started with a story-like quote found in my prayer journal. I had written his words down in a place never to be lost and always to be read. How many years ago and where I found his words, I do not know. I know it was this page of Hemingway’s words that started a chain of happenings, in a particular time as, such a time as this. Coinsedences that lead into intrigue, mystery and even miracles and magnificence. Let me share a little bit of adventure, adventure with Hemingway.
Ernest Hemingway faught in World War I, the spanish civil war and World War II. Being wounded in WW I he had 237 pieces of shrapnel picked out of his body. In time forgetting the pain, he never forgot the brush with death.
Men often feel set apart from the ordinary after a war especially the wounded, and this was the case with Hemingway. Being a gifted man in journalism war only added to the depth of his thoughts of story. In fact he derived a formula for his novels and believed a way to reveal the true character of man. Many of his stories are about and an influence from war. Ernest Hemingway was a great American 20th century novelist that did more to influence the style of English prose than any other writer of his time. For some reason not all known to me even yet, I am drawn to this man, though not a perfect man but a man that loved story and a man that loved truth.
It was a quiet and dreary day I found myself walking on the old hardwood floors of an antique store, sipping on a coke. That’s what I sometime’s do, to bring a peace and cherished memories to mind. I saw this day a large picture that reminded me once again of the Hemingway quote and a book of his, ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ Although it was titled ‘Homeward Bound’ and was a painting of Norman Rockwell, to me I only thought of The Old man and the Sea and the the young boy Manolin.
While cleaning the living room after Christmas, I thought to google the audio book narrated by Charelton Heston, ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ While cleaning Charelton Heston read me the entire book. What a nice day of story. It was another day I thought to watch the movie with Spencer Tracy portraying, ‘The Old Man’ and the Sea.’ It was intriguing and I knew widening my thought of word and story, something I wasn’t use to. As days and weeks passed these chain of effects had become somehow a friend, a constant reminded that wouln’t fade away. Then there was a day this story took on a whole new meaning, one I couldn’t explain nor explain or even try to.
Opening our local newspaper, I was shocked, I read it again thinking it can’t be. A bigger than life article, A.E. Hotchner, 101, adapts ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ Man keeps word to Hemingway with redone play. The story read that in 1958 the movie, The Old Man and the Sea, with Spencer Tracey was in the theaters. Hemingway was less than happy. His friend Hotchner said they ventured into the theater just to see how Hollywood did? Hemingway walked out after only 12-13 minutes. That night making his friend Hotchner promise to someday do his own adaption to his great novel. His friend promised and not long after this night Hemingway died.
A more than sixty-year-old promise was kept. Trying over 10 times through the years A. E. Hotchner finally found a way to adapt Hemingway’s story to stage. After all Hotchner is now an old man and had fished in Cuba with Hemingway. Following through on a half-century old promise to his friend, he’s pleased how it turned out, a version he believe’s Hemingway would not walk out on. I suppose you think the story ends here? No, this is where the story, my story begins.
As I finished reading the newspaper article, the play was going on at The Pittsburg Playhouse, in Pennsylvania. Procrastinating for almost a week, I then called. “Hello, this is Tiffiney, welcome to the Pittsburg Playhouse.” I’d like two tickets for the play,’The Old Man and the Sea,’ I replied. “I’m sorry,” she said, “we’re all sold out.” My heart sunk, ‘thank you,’ I said, and I hung up. The next day I called again, “Hello Tiffiney, it’s me,” “what do you think my chances are if we just come with no tickets?” Tiffiney suggested to come an hour early, get on a list, and show up opening time to hear the vacant seat call. One night she said, 8 got in, then one night 3, then another night 0…” Oh,ok, thank you Tiffiney.” I called the next day for a motel. One room was left, $190. a night. Oh there’s a discount?? $90. a night, I’ll take it. That night I told Alan about our planned trip, “No Tickets! and we’re going? ” “It’s an adventure and for some reason unknown to me, I think God wants us to go to this play?” Sold out in Pittsburg? There must be a spiritual lesson in this somewhere, I’m sure there is… I called Tiffiney one more time telling her we got a motel and if she had a closet or corner we could sit in just in case if all seats were sold out? She said, “you sound like a very persistent person and you should come,” and with that, we came.”
Now being on our way, I kept becoming more excited.. It had become a trip of trust and much happening of the unknown, but was too as if someone was taking very good care of us. Being a little scared having no tickets and Alan not being an optimist, I thought I would call Michelle one more time. “Hello this is Michelle,” I told her hello and I was Tiffiney’s friend with no tickets. I then ask which show she thought would be the best to get a seat? The matinee’s and Thursday night was her choice. It was Thursday as we were driving, and it would be cutting it close to be there on time. A matinee..eeehhhg.. I thanked Michelle and said goodbye. We were on the road about 50 minutes from home and the phone rang, as the caller ID said Pittsburg.. I was excited and scared at the same time… “It’s Michelle, I have good news, we got you some tickets!!!!!!! ‘Oh my soul,’ I said to Alan, ‘we have tickets!’ “I’ll put you over to Tiffiney my manager,” “manager, she’s your manager? she’s my friend..” The tickets were $60. ea. my bill came up at $20.00 plus tax. Tiffiney had given us the VIP tickets they hold back for special people.. They were great seats and on Friday night at 8:00pm…. God has to be in this, He just has to be.
The Play was wonderful. Something I had never experienced.. Hemingway lived a life, it became a thought in an author’s heart, and than a book in his hand, and than a movie in a theater and than a play in lives. and one is mine*
On the right, is a picture of Michelle. The bag she has, there was two, gifts for her, and Tiffiney, she had the weekend off* I bought them both a gift in Pittsburg’s finest shops & a copy of ‘A Magnificent Adventure’ For they, Tiffiney & Michelle, have now become a Forever Friend* (chapter 26 The Path to Home)
Alan and I spent three days in Pittsburg and visited shops, boutiques, museums, a beautiful motel, ate the finest fish and brocallini chicken. What is the spiritual meaning in this trip? As A.E. Hotchner’s son said, ‘I’ve lived with Hemingways ghost for my whole life, and there is something very profound about this story, even though it’s very simple.
What is it?
I’m not exactly sure yet, I’m still living within what ever it is. I know it has something to do with the compassion of great writing of story and also something God adore’s from us all
Truth.
“My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
I John 3:18
https://www.hewhoisatthehelm.com/author
