I hit one of life’s milestones this month 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 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.
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.
Since I was in my underwear I stood behind the door as I groggily pulled it open thinking it was a student. To my horror, standing there with a big smile on his face was Master Wheeler. “Hi, I’m Allen Wheeler”, he says as only you Southerners can say it. 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. Not the biggest but the best…..and part of the OKU family.