I'm your Huckleberry

“I’m your Huckleberry” is one of my favorite quotes delivered by Val Kilmer, as Doc Holiday, in the movie Tombstone.  Basically, “I’m your huckleberry” means “Name the place, and I’ll go with you,” “Name the job and I can do it,” “I’ll oblige you” or “I’m your man.”  Ok, as a single woman, this could be misconstrued I suppose if out of context, but I think I like it because I appreciate loyalty, friendship, being able to count on someone and being counted on and a really good one-liner delivered with ultimate coolness!


In our modern culture, "I'm your Huckleberry" can also be construed as an unveiled threat - kind of like Doc Holiday meant it. This could come in handy too.  Next time your preteen says, "You can't make me...", try "I'm your Huckleberry" and see the confused but slightly worried look that crosses his/her face.


But really, we should all be a huckleberry to someone and thank the good Lord for the huckleberries in our lives.  Life is short and sometimes really stupidly messing and isn't it great to have people in your life who will not only come running when the you-know-what hits the proverbial fan but also help you clean it up?  God bless them.  


When I think of this quote, I think of my grandfather, Gilbert Ross Schevers.  He raised a family after returning home from WWII.  Several times during this period in his life, he almost lost his life and it stuck with him.  He loved his God, his family, his country and doing the right thing.  On his death bed, he told me he most regretted all the boys that died whom he couldn't bring home after the Battle of the Bulge. I had the privilege of telling him that he honored them by how he lived his life.  I was better for it myself.


Yep, a real Huckleberry.

Painted Dewclaws

So I have been toying with the idea of blogging for a bit.  In my new role at work as the global Career Counseling lead, I have been asked to begin blogging tips and best practice to interested career counselors.   Well, that seems a bit intimidating so thought I would start with just blogging about me and those in my life- something I think I know more about (well most of the time - I still surprise myself some days.)  Maybe it will be a way for me to keep in touch with family and friends or maybe just a way for me to get stuff in my head out - definitely something my therapist thinks is a good idea.  Don't worry - I keep a journal for the real squirrely stuff.  I seem to have a bit more time on my hands too right now so it seems like a good thing to do.  No, that is a lie.  I don't have time on my hands.  I haven't had time on my hands since 1998 but I need to occupy my mind with other things so here I am!

I am titling my blog, Painted Dewclaws.  I know. Not a very romantic, cute or clever name and perhaps even a bit unpleasant.  But see, I think I have invisible dewclaws.  I don't mean that in a crazy "I hear voices" kind of way.  I think God gave them to me because in that all-knowing-power thing he has, he knew I would need them.  See, dewclaws are sort of hidden digits on some animals.  On mountain goats they are described as " ...on the back of each foot and keeps it from slipping."  That is why these amazing animals are  "...the best rock climbers in North America and readily move along small ledges, up steep slopes and across deep chasms".   See, I think God gave me hidden dewclaws and as I move along the small ledges, steep slopes and deep chasms of life, he uses them to keep me from slipping.  They are of course painted - probably pink because if I am going to have these hidden extra digits, I want them to look good!  Also to remind me that I have a choice on how I want to paint the lows and highs of my life - either in light or darkness.  And the thing about mountain goats, these dewclaws help them get to places inaccessible by other animals so while it may not be fun when you have to rely on them, they can certainly help you get to amazing places! :)

I have many friends who I know have them too and when we see each other and grasp hands, our dewclaws secretly touch and we help sustain each other through all the slopes, summits and chasms.  Thank you God for these people in my life and all the others who are part of my story.

See you on the blogsphere! (That's a word, right?)