I would have to say I always enjoyed surprises.  I enjoyed surprising my kids with presents or trips.  I also enjoyed the surprises they have given me.  On my last birthday they all surprised me at the door when I came home, it was wonderful seeing them all saying happy birthday.  I have also had a few other surprises in life, ok lots of them.

The surprise at 19 that I would fall in love with a woman and two kids and marrying her and be the only father to the kids they ever knew.

The surprise of having seven kids over the course of 20 years.  I was able to watch each come into this world and love them with all my heart.

The surprise of losing everything we had and one son in a fire.

The surprise of having my father in law live with us during his final years.  I cared for him until he took his last breath in my arms.

The surprise of being a single parent raising my wonderful kids. Enjoying rising them in love and joy.

The surprise of moving into a wonderful house, big enough for all of us to enjoy.

The surprise of the number of different jobs I have had over the years.  Looking back it amazes me with the number of people I was able to help and the joys we shared.

Then I was surprised when God gave me dreams of stories to write.  Yes, all my books are written from dreams about joy and love.  The characters in those stories are as real to me as anyone else I know, and I love them.

The funny thing is I plan everything, I am a project manager and planning is my key skill.  However the last 35 years were more surprises than plans.  The truth is life is a journey and not a destination.  Enjoy the ride and don’t get too uptight about small things or even big things.  It all works out if you focus on the joy and love, amazing things will occur along your journey.

Much joy and love to you and yours

It’s is always said to read about one of your favorite childhood stars have passed away. I really enjoyed the Partridge Family show. The stories were funny and the songs were great.  Everyone remembers I think I love you.  Thank you Suzanne Crough for bringing joy into my life as a kid.

When I think about the shows in the 60’s and 70’s I smile at the joy they brought to us.  Sitcoms and comedies ruled the 60’s TV shows with series like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith Show. There were supernatural, science fiction or fantasy with Bewitched, Star Trek and The Addams Family being among the highest rated. Rural-themed and military inspired shows like Green Acres and Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C..

The 70’s shows focused on issues of the day such as race, equality and politics. Series like The Mary Tyler More Show, Partridge Family Show, The Brady Bunch, All In The Family and M*A*S*H earned high ratings with their ability to connect with viewers. The 70's had an abundance of excellently written sitcoms like Laverne & Shirley and The Bob Newhart Show and dramas like The Walton’s and Marcus Welby M.D. Variety shows such as The Carol Burnett Show and The Sonny and Cher Show became popular among TV viewers during the latter part of the decade.

Just to think they brought all those shows to us on only three stations.  Today there are thousands and the quality just is not there with the new shows.  At times it does concern me with the young kids watching some of today’s shows.  I just wish they could create better programs to bring joy and love into everyone’s hearts and minds. 

Much Joy and love to you and yours

 

 

 

Last night as I watched the hockey game there was a point they showed a few players of the basketball team.  They came to support the Washington Capitals; they were already advancing to the next level of playoffs and were rooting for the Capitals.  You see that more and more today in professional sports and sometimes you see the professions visit college teams.  However, do you see it  on the more personal level?

At work the people are too busy doing their own jobs and don’t offer help to others.  I see it with families; they only come together for holidays or emergencies.  Then there is the craziest place of all I see it, at kids games.  When the kids are young, the side lines are packed with parents and family supporting the team.  As they get older fewer and fewer people watch the games.  This past weekend the other team had one parent show up and my son’s team had three parents.  I don’t know their stories, but I am sure the kids would like to see more support.

Supporting others is a huge thrill to me, it feels good to support others and I am sure the other person loves having your there.  As a single parent there have been times I could not make every game, but I tried to be there for part of the game just so I could show them support.  It’s fun to support your family’s teams and keeps them interested in playing.  When you think about all the professional games and school games and the number of people going to support their team, it makes you think I need to support my family team the same way. 

Supporting each other at work also feels great.  I have been on projects were everyone is too busy to share and too proud to ask for help.  I have also been on projects where everyone shares and works together to get the job done.  In the old days they would just call that team work, but today to get them working together you need agile teams.  The fun fact is the goal is to work better together, great communications, and better quality.  Once again supporting each other proves to create better quality. Now go out there and support others and if you need help ASK and support will be given.

Much Joy and love to you and yours.

It was a little hard getting out of bed today.  My body was feeling all the weekend activities and all I wanted to do was roll over and sleep more.  I pushed myself out of the bed got cleaned up and went to the kitchen.  I was reminded of the great party we had for my son last night.  As I cleaned up the kitchen I thought about the great food and guest we had over it really was great.  Then I made their lunches and mine I started to smile thinking about the day.  Finally everything was ready and I went outside to put the trash cans to the curb. 

As I was walking I heard all the birds singing.  I kind of laughed as I was humming an old tune to myself, Zippy doodah. When I turned back and started coming down the drive way I even heard more birds.  I thought wow those birds are up and singing a tune.  I am so grateful for those wonderful birds, I thought for a moment I feel like I live in a jungle with all these birds.  I hummed my happy tune and went in the house.  I was ready now to get going to work.

The funny thing is when I first woke up I just wanted was to sleep part of the day away.  I was tried and not really excited about the day ahead.  All it took to change my mind was a few birds singing and feeling joy again.  See I tell you joy is all around us, we just need to wake up and stop look and listen.  You will find it too.  Now go out and enjoy your day.

Much joy and love to you and yours.

Well today is one of my son’s birthday.  Happy Birthday Kevin. It is a wonderful day I have celebrated for 19 years, he is such a wonderful son.  To make today even more special Kevin shares his day with his nephew and a cat.  Yes, the cat was born on his birthday in our house.  I guess we will have to sing happy birthday three times today.  Always need to make it special for the birthday person and/or cat.

Kevin has always been a wonderful son, ready to help me with projects inside the house.  He is also great with sports, the only one to have played four sports, but really loves soccer the most.  Does amazing work in school and most of all Kevin is the protector.  He watches out for everyone especially his sister.  Happy birthday Kevin.

For his special day I always ask them what the diner is for tonight.  They pick out the diner and love doing that, tonight will be shish kabobs.  Hmmm I can’t wait to enjoy them with the family tonight.  Over the years they have pick really nice diner.  Shish kabobs, Crabs, Chicken Alfredo, Buttermilk Chicken, Tacos, just to name a few of the top diners.  What they don’t know is a bless the dinner for hours while preparing and cooking. 

I normally bless diners while I prepare them each day, but on Holidays and Birthdays I bless the food for much more time.  That is one of the reasons I love making those meals and people enjoy them so much more.  It always brings me great joy and love at our celebrations.

Happy Birthday Kevin and Cam and to anyone else reading my blog.

I remember the fun times I had on Friday Nights, wow I really had some great times.  Going to friends’ houses, games, bowling, or just riding around, it was all fun with my friends. 

Well times have changed for me a little over the years.  Last night was a great example of my now Friday night.  I dropped a couple off to high school sports and the rest were all home with some of their friends and their kids.  My Friday night started out dropping off kids, and watching a movie alone.  Soon enough the house was filling with excitement.  The older kids were home and the grandkids running around, I quickly completed dinner and everyone quickly got their food.  The count at that point was around 14 people. 

Some were just talking about business, some about the basketball game coming on.  Then there were the two little grandkids riding their toys from the kitchen to the family room.  They laughed and yelled every second of the time.  Sometimes they would jump off and take a bite of food and dance around the room.  Sometimes they would give me a hug and smile at me in pure excitement and love.  I loved every minute of my Friday night.  Wow what a thrill to see everyone so happy and having a good time.

My lesson could be about being flexible and enjoying the family and guest.  However, I truly loved the most was watching those little one dance and yell in excitement.  That is what I want to feel that much joy and excitement.  As I thought about that I remembered you can always change your thoughts and live in pure joy and love every day.

Many Blessings to you and yours.

I will never forget the first time I heard the Piano man, I knew right away I wanted to play the piano.  We had an old piano and my father played sometimes, so I decided to learn too.  I studied the beginner’s information and learned to read notes and slowly I was getting better.  Every night I would play for about an hour and really enjoyed my playing.  There were a few songs I got very good at and I was feeling good.  Finally my parents suggested I take lessons.  I was so excited to really learn to play, and you know my goal was to play the piano man song.

When we met with the teacher she asked me to play.  I played a few songs and she was impressed.  Then she asked me to play a different song.  I didn’t do too well.  See I had the songs I played in my mind and the notes were just a guide to lead me on.  I thought I could read notes, but not really.  Well I just said great we know where to start then.  I took lessons for a few months and every time she told me to just play what she told me to play and not to play other music.  I got better but preferred playing my own music.

Well enough about me, back to the song.  Piano Man is such a wonderful song to enjoy.  Tells us a good story of a night out.  Thinking of our lives and dreaming about lives we truly desire to live.  So many people seem to dream of different lives, but few will take any action to change their life.  Tonight I want you to really think about what you desire to change.  Write it down and plan to take those baby steps to your new desired life.  We can all live it up and enjoy life, everyday.

Enjoy the video and dream of your life your desire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxEPV4kolz0

Blessings to you and yours.

Yesterday was a big day for my daughter; she received her driver’s license.  After all the hours of driving with her and having those mini heart attacks, she is officially a driver.   Way to go. 

The interesting thing in Virginia is the process to get you licensed.  You need to take classes for a few months in school, then a course at night, then drive with a parent for 40 hours, then a behind the wheel course.  After all those steps are completed you must pass a course with the drive with the behind the wheel instructor.  Oh it’s not over yet, you only get a paper license at that point.  Next you are scheduled for a court day to receive the license. 

The court day is very interesting, you have a police officer and judge speak to parents and new drivers.  The police officer is trying to tell the new drivers to watch what you’re doing and about the number of teen accidents from not paying attention.  He gave some very scary stats and stories, but he was talking from his heart.  He just wanted them to listen so they will pay attention while driving.  I thought it was a very good speech.  But I was not one of the new drivers.

As I was listening I looked around at all those new drivers and thought wow they are all so young and yet to them they are older, now.  I had to think back to when I got my license and I do remember I felt older and more responsible now with my license.  I believe some things never really change.  Sure there are more cars on the road today than when I started driving.  But the friends wanting rides and freedom of going to places really is a great feeling.  I just pray for all those new drivers they will pay attention while driving.

The Judge was next and he explained to the parents we are still in control and have the right to take the driver’s license away at any time.  He also told use to set rules and explained responsibilities for driving.  It was again another wonderful speech.  Then he told the kids to pay attention and how many teenage drivers he sees in his court room.  The saddest speech was about a teenage who went out at night to a party before heading off to college.  She did not drink or do drugs, nor did she driving fast.  She simply was going around a curve and her tire went on the soft shoulder, she turn left to get back on the road and hit a tree and was dead.

You know in life we always seem to get excited with new ventures.  We feel great about doing new things, but the officer and judge were so correct in staying just pay attention.  I believe when we pay attention to life it’s that much better and we can enjoy our journey that much more.

Many Blessings to you and yours.