The story of a person’s profoundly diverse and undeservedly blessed 60+ yrs of life on this planet. From growing up in the 60's and 70's, traveling as a young man in Europe and the Middle East (with a return trip to and 14 month stay in Israel,) military life, married and family life, work as a paramedic firefighter and as a nurse, wonderful opportunities to serve on medical teams to Kurdistan Iraq, West Darfur Sudan and Banda Aceh Indonesia and everything in between. It really has been a blast. (Oh' and there was that little trip to Vietnam with Carol and our three kids when I was trying to make the case for our family living and working in South East Asia.)
Through it all, good times and bad, smart decisions and some not so very clever, there has always been the undeniable realization that the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of heaven and earth, was right there with me and actually cared about the finest details of what was going on in my and my family’s lives. Through it all I have also come to believe that this same Chief Architect of the cosmos who cares about me and my family also truly cares about you and the finest most intimate details of your life. He loves you. It’s crazy but it’s true.
Although the roads we have traveled are quite different, I was very motivated to write A JOURNEY after reading Blue like Jazz by Donald Miller.
Hope you enjoy the trip.
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Strange Stuff
Chapter 2: A Disturbing Dream
Chapter 3: Making Promises to God
Chapter 4: Bon Voyage
Chapter 5: Wanderlust
Chapter 6: Emerald Isle
Chapter 7: The Vendange
Chapter 8: Paris
Chapter 9: Kibbutz
Chapter 10: Go West, Young Man
Chapter 11: 33rd and South Sawyer
Chapter 12: Not the Author of Confusion
Chapter 13: Return to Israel
Chapter 14: Neither Jew nor Greek—or Colonel or Private
Chapter 15: Will You Marry Me? On Saturday?
Chapter 16: Roaches in New Jersey
Chapter 17: Anywhere but Yakima
Chapter 18: Making the Move
Chapter 19: C’mon, Honey, Can’t We Live in Vietnam?
Chapter 20: Carol Tried to Kill Me
Chapter 21: Kurdistan
Chapter 22: From Africa to Indonesia
Chapter 23: A Huge Decision
Chapter 24: My Friend Mr. Woodman
Chapter 25: Pausing to Think
Chapter 26: Unlikely Heroes
Chapter 27: Now What?
In Conclusion
I very much enjoyed reading my father’s memoir. It provided me with the opportunity to learn some new stories, some I had perhaps heard over the years; along with some details I could have gone my whole life without knowing. In the end, who wouldn’t want dirt on their father? After reading this book, one of the biggest things I can walk away with is his admirable commitment to both Jesus and his family. For this reason I can say I’m truly fortunate to have him as a father and he is easily one of my heroes! Love ya bud!
(Tim’s very most favorite child)
If you go to enough funerals/memorials, you come to appreciate the life stories that almost all of us have to tell. He did this?! She did that?! Many lives are surprisingly full of fascinating depth. And it is good that we tell our stories, as Tim does here. A "wild and crazy" life, centered and themed on the pursuit of a life in Christ. It is an ambitious undertaking to tell a story in book form, but well worth the effort. Nice work, Tim....with the book, and in life.
It was such a joy to read "A Journey" written by my dad. It helped paint a picture of all of the stories I had been told growing up. He is and will always be my hero. Thanks for writing this book about your life!!! :]
(Tim’s very most favorite child)
A very informative memoir on my father’s life. I very much enjoyed reading about some of the events I had heard about growing up as well as learning some new ones.
(Tim’s very most favorite child)
"A Journey" by Timothy Gates is a well written account of the eventful life of the Author thus far. His story is one of love. In his early years the love of his Brothers, friends, Pug and Prancer (in the perfect world every child would have a Pug and Prancer), but most of all, the love of his Parents.
As a young adult/teenager in the 70's, Tim faced coming of age head on, and on his own terms. Independence brought freedom and mischief, travel and adventure. Travel to Germany, Holland, The UK , Eire, France, Italy, Greece and Israel, with not much more than a tent, a pocket knife, a fish hook, a piece of string and a tooth-brush.
Down to his last $4 in London in 77 he pulled out his "ace in the hole".................a ticket home to the Pacific NW.
Love is not just people, it's places, it's home, it's where we are meant to be.
He had fun growing up, as we all should. Ultimately for Tim, his youthful experiences laid the foundation for where he stands today, with a Wife and Family he loves so so much. A firm believer in Gods plan for him. A career dedicated to helping others when their need is most dire.
You would have to say Timothy has had a pretty good ride so far. Lucky to be alive ......yes......... But we make our own luck, (so I am often told).
One day I will shake this Man's hand and say, "Well done Tim".
Love always wins in the end.
You know, there just could be a Movie in this Story. If so, Denzel Washington would be perfect as that drug fiend Tim met on The Kibbutz in Israel.
Tim has been a friend of mine since we were children. I found Tim’s “A Journey” to be a very honest and surprisingly detailed account of a life well lived.
Tim’s humor and optimism shine through on almost each page. His lack of hubris is refreshing. From his foggy and randy teenage ramblings through the Irish countryside to the development of lifesaving medical skills and genuine lifelong compassion to help those in need, a few hours spent accompanying Tim on the pages of this journey is time well spent for anyone.
I’m proud to call Tim a friend! Thank you for sharing this with me!
A Journey By Timothy Gates
As Bob Dylan's title track on the 1981 album release "Shot of Love" professes,
"I need a Shot of Love."
In this uncertain, stranger than fiction world of economics, politics and overall greedy philosophies, I think most of us would agree with Bob that we could also use a shot of love. At least a good word now and then. A little good news. The hope for this book (my hope) is that it could provide a good word, a little good news, (maybe even a good read), a Shot of Love so to speak to those folks who are ready to join me on the journey.
Bon Voyage!
An attempt (and sometimes struggle) at being real in this world