One More Time

Yesterday I started to make a post, actually typed up a few paragraphs, and then my computer "burped" and I lost it. I was so aggravated, I gave up and said I would post later. So, here I am!

This "may" be last post that I make this year. Quite a bit going on. Tomorrow night I am playing Santa at the Emerson Center for the "Wee Read" program. This program encourages young (pre-school) children to read and part of their reward is pictures with Santa. Then, on Saturday (19th) I am doing my annual "Santa Ride" around Starkville. I do this each year to honor my late first wife and DKW understands and is fine with it. Also, afterwards My oldest and her family will be over and we will be exchanging Christmas gifts. On Monday, 21st, DKW and I will be off to visit her family for a bit. Thankfully, one of my student workers has agreed to take care of our animals and keep an eye on the house while we are gone. So thats one less thing we have to worry about.

Since the end of the year is a time of reflection for most folks, I thought I would list some of the things I am thankful for: (1)Family, my first wife & I have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. Is my relationship with all of them perfect? No-but I love them all and, like it or not, they have helped shape me into the person I am today. DKW, my new bride and I, have had a few bumps, but I like to think its getting better all the time. (2) My job. In these times, a lot of folks count them fortunate to have a job. I'm lucky enough not only to have a job, but to have a job I really enjoy and a really nice boss. (3) Living in America. No, its not perfect - but I truly believe that its a lot better than whatever country is in 2nd. There are many, many other things that I am thankful for that might seem frivolous (i.e. football, possesions, being able to hunt & fish, etc.) so I won't make a huge, long list. But I am also thankful for being able to share these things with the few readers I have - whatever your reasons for reading. Have a great holiday season!!!

Cruising the Time Line

Thanksgving has come and gone, and Christmas is rapidly approaching. My Christmas shopping is done and the gifts (for the most part) are all wrapped. This time of year brings a lot of mixed emotions for me. December 3rd was the 4th anniversary of my first wife's death. I do love DKW (who I married on 10/31 of this year) but I must confess that the loss of my first wife still hurts. DKW understands this and is very supportive - just one of the reasons I love her.

While, to some extent, I enjoy the holiday season - I'm actually looking forward to getting past it, so DKW and I can settle more firmly into our life together. 2009, has been a very eventful (major understatement!) year. I'm hoping 2010 will be more low key, even though DKW and I have some events planned together.

When I was in junior high school, I had a history teacher tell my class, "Think about what is important to you - in a hundred years - will it be important to anybody?" After posing that question he went on to ask the same about different year increments (i.e. 50, 20, 10 & 5), and that question has stayed with me. I guess it boils down to how long will I be remembered (by other than family) after I'm gone? Everyone wants to make their mark, but do we really? I was watching a program on the History Channel the other day, and they were saying that they can now date the universe's age at 4 1/2 billion years (give or take a million). The average human life expectancy is 77.7 years. So most people are barely a blip on the timeline radar. Even people remembered long after their deaths (say Confuscious (550 B.C.) for example) - could only be considered to be a speedbump on the timeline. Okay - enough of that - I don't want to be morbid. The point I really want to make is that we should enjoy the life we have. Its too short to sweat the small stuff. Be good to those that are important to you. Live your life doing the things that are important to you. I guess you could say that that is going to be my resolution for the coming year.

I do want to close this post on a positive note. I am happy. I have a wife and family that loves me. I refuse to dwell on the negative and look to the future with a positive outlook!

Everyone have a great day!!