I Owe You an Apology

 Yes you - or me, you owe me an apology - Yes, YOU! Got it? I discovered this morning, after many years of blogging, I can acknowledge and reply to comments! Go figure! So, dear friends and commenters, I scrolled through what is called "Stats" concerning this blog, and there were hundreds of comments that I have not acknowledged! Yours may have been one of those, hence the apology. I promise I will do better! If I owe you a response, let me know by commenting below!

Wishing you all the best! Remember, live your moments to the fullest. Acknowledge your self-worth, love yourself, forgive yourself, be kind to yourself, and of course, to others!

Oh, by the way, we had a family night last night - those are always special! This week we also had a brief visit form grandaughter Kairi. She just moved from Helena, Montana, to Laramie, Wyoming! Much closer! It was a gift to see her and how happy she is!

Talents of the Young and Young at Heart

 So, I last shared something of Chad and his family. Now, it is Heather's turn. Once again, I don't know when this was written, but probably Junior High or High School.  Her handwriting has always been very distinctive, an upright block style, almost printing! Heather has accomplished much. One of her first adventures was being selected as a Cheerleader for the University of Hawaii. That's when Carolyn and the older kids went to Hawaii to visit her.  She was a Cheering Team Leader in High School. ( I wrote an earlier blog about Heather being honored for her Volunteerism.) Heather and her husband, Eric, have raised five children. She and her mother, Carolyn, are addicted to babies!

Heather has what I call an effervescent personality. She is a joyful person and fills a room with her personality. She gives and lives from the heart! I needn't say more. Her words above say it all, really. But you know I love to do collages, so I've done one for this blog as well!

Heather and her husband Eric have always provided their children every opportunity to show and grow their many talents. Whatever the kids wanted to do, they could give it a try and their Mom and Dad support them! I could go on, but you get the drift!

We are so proud of all of them!

Dad

 This is my Dad, our Dad. My brother Mike sent this to me a few days ago. I am now seventy-seven years old. I was one of the kids who left home at seventeen early age. I returned for a year after dropping out of the University of Iowa. I realize now how little I knew or remember about Dad. This article brings a flood of memories. I look into his eyes in this picture and see God, a life lived to the fullest. This article tells me how much Dad was respected and loved by the Montezuma, Iowa, community, and the state of Iowa. He was active in many things, yet always had time for us! 

Dad learned all about diesel engines and electricity in the Navy. He served at the end of WWII aboard the U.S.S. Little Rock. He was fortunate to be on the Goodwill Tour, sailing to many ports worldwide. Most importantly, he learned a skill that he loved. 

Beyond that, he was a fisherman, a hunter, an expert rifleman, a volunteer fireman, a fire chief, a legionnaire, a bridge player, a construction, cabinet maker, bowler, gambler, ecologist, model aircraft enthusiast, contractor, dancer, a friend, husband, and father, probably much more.

He was a man of integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, and consistency. He was also our mentor and disciplinarian. He taught us right from wrong. He encouraged us! He and mom gave us what we needed to be on our own, the life skills and opportunities that would serve us for the rest of our lives. There is so much more, but all I can say right now is, thank you, Dad - I love you - I am so very proud of you and to be your son!

I'm Slipping... yet again!

Missing a few days here and there - no excuses - excuses, I think, are a waste of time.  I  always thought they were.  It is my humble opinion that people tend to make excuses because, well they don't accept responsibility in the first place.

Kids and the zoo - what a wonderful combination.  Children seeing live animals that they only imagine exist on TV screens or in books.  Little Aubrey appears to have really enjoyed the dingos or hyenas ( if that is what they are).

I played golf today.  Well, I was on the golf course swinging clubs.  I shot a 117 - boy, I thought i left those scores behind more than a year ago.  The golf gods have a way of humbling one from time to time.  I was driving the ball well, but couldn't hit a wedge to save my life.. or any of the other irons for that matter.  Time to checking with the club pro.  SO, I seem to be slipping in more than one thing.

I think I'll have (and Carolyn) some popcorn tonight -- haven't had popcorn for awhile.

I stopped at UNC to see Megan today.  She is really doing well and is in a very good place.  I'm so proud of her.  She is doing quite well.  At any rate, the next few days will be busy.  We have started - albeit accidentally - our Spring cleaning! Oh what fun it is..... a great opportunity to meditate while cleaning. Ain't it awesome what cleaning can do for the soul!

Pickup, Boat, and Trailer

Along with the birthday of our youngest son - now 29, and our first grandson, now 10 - Carolyn and I cleaned the cab of the pickup, hooked up the wiring and towed the boat for the very first time. we went to a paking lot to practice. It went well. It didn't go quite as well on a crowded busy street, but we did get it parked - backing up and all. Canada here we come. (The neighbor girls got a good laugh -- )

I do plan on taking the boat for a "maiden voyage" under its new ownership this week. I'm as excited as a teenager.

Back to the birthdays. We visited the Chad and family yesterday. We took Jeremiah (29) and Kairi out to lunch today. We also edged the sidewalks, bundled sticks and stuff into the appropriate length for trash pick-up. Mundane stuff, but so fun when you share the fun with someone who loves you and whom you love so much.

I guess that is the wisdom of the month -- even chores can be fun when you are in the moment. There are all kinds of wealth in the world - it isn't just money or financial security. When I see Jeremiah with Kairi - the affection from a young girl to her dad and the care of Jeremiah for her almost brings tears to my eyes. Perhaps, the wealth is pretty much in our relationships for without them - it can be very, very lonely. My advice, nurture them, nurture all of your relationships - when you feel it in your gut, pick up the phone or drop by - say a special thought, it may be just what they need right then and there.

and that of course brings one to the beauty of children -- they are so in the moment, tell it like it is and are so full of joy... I think that we, as adults, teach it out of them - or discipline it out of them. We can learn so much from children -- so much!

Watch a child today, learn something new -- better yet watch a child every day next week - it could change your life.