Thursday, August 28, 2008

Special...

08/28/2008

One of the big joys of my life is getting to do something that might make a difference in the lives of others; to help them grow beyond what they are, to maximize their potential, to just listen and be a friend.  This is what life is really about, isn’t it?

A few years ago The Nancy and I saw great potential in a couple of young women, potential they did not seemingly see in themselves.  We got them to our favorite self-awareness workshops in Dallas (I won’t mention the name, but you can check it out at http://www.millenniumeducation.com), and both of them came away with a new awareness and a new love of and for who they truly are.  The Nancy and I are so very proud of them.

A couple of Saturdays ago we were able to hook up with them and enjoy a great meal at our favorite restaurant here in Beautiful Downtown Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, population 711, that being Lot 12 (http://www.lot12.com).  I wish I had a picture of them to share, but alas! I do not.  Trust me, these ladies are lovely, and they are very special to us.
The Nancy and I are more than happy they are happy, and never want anything more from them then an opportunity now and again to see them grow even more.  And, they do share it with us whenever we see them.

This time they gave us a gift – a photograph of the four of us together at Jennifer’s college graduation party in May of this year, and a card that says:

“Special” is a word used to describe something one-of-a-kind, like a hug or sunset or a person who spreads love with a smile or a kind gesture.

“Special” describes people who act from the heart and keep in mind the hearts of others.

“Special” applies to something that is admired or precious and that can never be replaced…

“Special” is a word that best describes you.

The card is Special and these girls are Special and The Nancy and are I are lucky to have them as part of our lives, but the point is, for us, we did something for someone, and that alone makes us feel really good.  No thanks necessary.  All we ask for our largess in return is for it to be passed forward someday.

I am no so sure we are special, but I love the card and the sentiment just the same.

And that is all I have to say about that…

Friday, August 15, 2008

Death and Taxes

08/15/2008

We have all probably heard people say the only two things in this world that are for certain are “death and taxes.” Now, as I get a little older, or a lot older in some of your eyes, I am beginning to see the truth in this.

I remember as my parents aged they attended more and more funerals.  I see the same with The Nancy’s parents.  I don’t think a month goes by that I do not hear them speak of someone they knew having passed away.  Now, at this juncture of my life, I seem to be moving into this stage and I do not care for it.  So far this month I have attended two funerals and could have gone to three.  Additionally, I have been informed of another life that appears to be waning.  I pray not, but have little control of such things.

Taxes are one thing none of us can escape, that is unless we just don’t pay them, but God knows I don’t care for funerals and care less for wakes.  I do not enjoy “The Viewing,” thinking it to be totally unnecessary and a complete mortifying moment for me and the dead.  Most dead people look little of the person I knew.  Just this last week I went to my last remaining uncle’s funeral.  He, lying in the coffin, little resembled the uncle I loved, but more like a manikin with heavy makeup applied.  I have asked this not be my fate. 

I don’t want people staring at me lying in a box with a lot of makeup covering the stains of death, and telling my survivors how good I look and how peaceful.  Instead I want my family to get a couple of kegs of really good beer, order in five or six pizzas, and at the point when however many people attend this funeral party (let’s call it a fun party) get a little buzz on, I want them to gather around as my ashes are thrown into the air allowing the breeze to spread me out over the earth I love.  Now that’s a funeral I can live with, so to speak.

And that is all I have to say about that…

Monday, August 11, 2008

Another Chicago Trip

08/11/2008

Just about a year ago I wrote of a trip to Chicago; actually, a trip from Chicago back to my home in Beautiful Downtown Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, population 711.  That was a trip from hell.  It took nearly forty-six hours to get from Chicago to my house, and I flew.

Today, again, almost exactly one-year ago, I am back in Chicago and my trip has begun with a surmountable issue: I am here, my bag is not.

Now most of us that fly from time to time for business have been in this situation.  What with changing planes, perhaps rushing from a late arrival to an on-time departure, bags sometimes do not get loaded.  Today’s incident has me somewhat baffled, in that I only took one plane – Washington-Dulles to Chicago’s O’Hare.  How in the world does a bag not get on the plane when you only have one to get on?  This is one of life’s little conundrums.

The United people didn’t seem to be baffled by this at all.  It appeared to me the agent I spoke with took this as a ho-hum, everyday occurrence, and offered little more than a tough-shit attitude as she filled out a form, and telling me the bag will be delivered to my hotel sometime between 4 and 7 PM.  Thanks, but no thanks.  I will go back to the airport (just about a mile away) and retrieve my bag, hopefully, if the United not-so-smarts can get it on the later flight.  Keeping my chubby little fingers crossed, I remain hopeful.

All that is all I have to say about that…

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Pregnancy: How Cool is That...

07/22/2008

I am in Louisville, Kentucky, actually across the river in Jeffersonville, Indiana, but who’s counting steps.  I sat at a bar tonight at the Buckhead, a Jeffersonville beer joint, drinking brews and wishing I were at home with The Nancy.  I happened to notice one of the servers was very pregnant, and to my utter surprise, I was jealous.  What the hell is up with that?  I am a sixty-four year-old man.  I was stunned!!!  All of this began me to think, and God knows I am known to do some crazy shit when I think.  Jealous, me jealous, just the thought of an un-Spock like emotion such as jealousy makes me nuts, but nonetheless, I was felt it.

Can you think of anything more God-like than to be a mother?  God is mother of the earth and of all things on it and around it forever and ever, amen!!  I am in awe of pregnant women and of just plain women, for that matter.  Just think of it, women are able to give life.  Sure, we guys play a part, but for women it is so different, they grow life, we (guys) merely contribute to process it in a moment of lust.  It is our true purpose for being here, to procreate.  It is our only job.

I get tears in my eyes thinking what it must be like to have a life growing inside of one’s body and then one day getting to experience the ultimate beauty of giving birth.  Does this make me a pussy – so to speak?  I don’t think it does.  Having read “Conversations with God,” one day even I may get to experience it, or perhaps I already have.  Read the book and you will understand.

The Nancy says I am not your typical man.  I think I am.  Perhaps I just am a little more vulnerable than others, but I know I would like to experience the beauty of carrying a child and bringing in to this world.  I suppose a little of this vulnerability comes with the four beers I had while I watched the pregnant server at Buckhead’s, but whether this is true or not, I am still in awe of the process.

And that is all I have to say about that…