The year 2000 I hit one of life’s milestones when I celebrated my
birthday. By the end of the busy day we were all tired and had come
together in the family room. My 5 year old daughter, Danielle, was sitting
in my lap while I rested in my favorite chair. “So, Dad, exactly how old
are you?” asked the inquisitive off spring. “40”, I tell her. She replies
with an exaggerated “40 years old, 40 years old!” Now I’m thinking my
little girl thinks 40 years old must be about the same age as dirt and
rocks, I was wrong. She comes back with, “I thought you were a lot older
than that!” Her innocence in making these remarks made the statement even
more humorous and she didn’t understand why we were all laughing.
This event, turning 40, and attending the OKU Seminar this year led me
to some reminiscing of earlier years of my study in the martial arts, and
my uncomfortable first meeting with Master Wheeler in 1979.
The late Master Joe Smith, myself, and a few students made the trek
from Illinois to Knoxville for the Hall of Fame Tournament and banquet. It
was a very busy weekend and we had arrived just in time for the Friday
night banquet. The room was packed full of karate-ka that all seemed to
know each other, I was feeling very out of place. We didn’t know anyone
and were a long way from home. It wasn’t long before the banquet was
called to order and I remember seeing, for the first time, some of the
highest-ranking masters in Isshinryu. I was in complete and total awe. I
was honored just to be there in their company.
Among the Masters introduced that night was Master Allen Wheeler. His
calm humble demeanor, electrical presence and projected ki, that I could
feel from our near back row seats, exemplified my image of who and what a
true master should be. A fleeting thought pasted through my mind of
some day getting to meet Master Wheeler but realistically I didn’t think
this would ever happen. In fact, I didn’t think our attendance had even
been noticed.
We went on to attend the tournament Saturday and had planned to head
back to Illinois Sunday morning. Joe and I were staying in the same room
at the Clark Motel in Powell and were still asleep when there was a knock
at the door. At that time as you opened the door to your room you were
surrounded with the fragrance of pine trees that blanketed the Smokey
Mountains. Businesses now line that same road and have all but eliminated
the peaceful serene mornings which used to bless bless us at this
location.
Since I was in my underwear I stood behind the door as I groggily
pulled it open thinking it was a student. The sunshine blinded me and I
squinted to try and identify the silhouette that stood before me. As my
eyes adjusted, to my horror, standing there with a big smile on his face
was Master Wheeler. “Hi, I’m Allen Wheeler”, he said with his slow
southern accent. Okay, so here is someone you’ve idolized standing at your
door and you’re in your underwear, quick, what do you do?
As I recall, I stepped from behind the door and made an embarrassing
bow while trying to wake up Joe. Without acknowledging my fashion
statement, Master Wheeler apologized for early intrusion but said he was
afraid we’d leave without getting to talk to us. I didn’t even know he
knew we existed and the fact that this high-ranking master would take the
time to come down to the motel to see us still amazes me.
Joe and I hurriedly got dressed and Master Wheeler even honored us by
joining us for breakfast. To this day I’m so impressed that he took the
time to stop by when no one else did, he made us feel at home and made
sure we knew that someone cared about us. That was the beginning of a
treasured relationship that continues to this day.
Beyond the friendship, this is an example of how Master Wheeler lives
his life, runs his dojo, treats his students and why the Okinawan
Karate-do Union reflects the family spirit. Anytime I have attended any
O.K.U. function I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and now I try and pass
this tradition on to any newcomer I notice. I’m proud to be apart of this
legacy and so should you.
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