Last year on August 16th at about 1am in the morning, my dad passed away. I thought a lot about whether or not to write about this today. I woke up last night about 1:10am out of a deep sleep and looked at the clock. Funny as this was close to the exact time I received a phone call a year ago telling me my dad was gone. It’s been a tough year and all of us have missed him. The most vocal of all of us has been the little guy who often comments that he wishes Grandpa was here or that Grandpa would have liked that or that he wonders what Grandpa is doing. I know too my Mom misses him and it hasn’t been an easy year adjusting to this void in her life. With all that said, life goes on and we all have to continue to live. Easier said than done but if you knew my dad, that’s what he’d want you to do. For me, it seems so unfair that this man worked all his life putting others first and when the time came for him to relax and enjoy himself, he didn’t get the chance. I think this is a lesson for us all to live life to the fullest and follow your dreams. I for one don’t want to be sitting around when I’m 80 saying I wish I did this or that. Remember no one is ever on their death bed saying “I wish I worked more”. So do me a favor today and take a few seconds to think about my dad, and then think about your own life and what you want to do. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much money you have, if you have always wanted to do something in your life, do it now, before it’s too late!
Now onto the day, yesterday I received a great book in the mail from Grandma Annette. It is about the rise and fall of the Comanche Indian tribe. I haven’t read it yet but thanks. The best part of this was she included a note saying how she and her sister read the blog everyday and that they feel they are getting to know us so much more through reading what’s going on each day in our lives. This right there makes this all worth it. I also had to laugh as she said she “doesn’t blame us for not wanting to live in California”. She goes on to say she and Grandpa Jim “totally agree with my politics having been in small business”. She’s pretty smart! Next she writes (and this is pretty profound as well), that she doesn’t think “anyone in politics ever read any history like the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire”. In closing she says she’s sure “we will be gone but I fear for your kids”. Now the misses and I couldn’t have summed it up better. You see, it’s all about (or should be), the next generation and the future of our kids. They deserve a fair chance at life like we had growing up. Those of you older than the misses and I had the best chance. Our generation (the baby boomers, I hate that label!) also had a pretty good chance but not quite as good as our parents. However our kids, if we keep going as we are, will face a World full of debt, poverty, lack of food, clean water and civil unrest or lots of wars. I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that we as a society are not headed in the right direction. The standard of living continues to go down and down as the years pass. This doesn’t mean all is lost, it just means we need to get our priorities straight. Hope we can, for our kids sake.
Yesterday the boys had a blast. First in the morning they hung out with me and then went to lunch with Uncle T and Aunt B. Next they went down the street and played with some of their friends and then they all headed to pool for 4 hours of pizza, play and swimming. They were worn out by the time they got home and are still sleeping. Our car is still not ready so I need to wake them in about 20 minutes so we can all take Mom to work. The misses and I had a chance to visit with my Mom for a bit in the afternoon. She gave the misses a bunch of white Polo shirts she no longer wears, yeah! Wish they fit me!
Lots to do today, again, so time for me to go. Hope you all are having a great week. It’s still 90+ degrees here with no end in sight. Hope its not too hot where you all are. Take care, stay healthy and safe and God Bless, and whatever you do, sit down today and think about your dreams and then go after them!