Rarely watching TV, I was captivated the other night when Charlie Gibson was interviewing United States President, Barack Obama, on the ABC Evening News.
The one word that really made me put things into perspective, was a word the President Obama used to describe how the decision to send US troops to Afghanistan was different from other critical US policy decisions.
Sobriety.
President Obama spoke of a certain level of sobriety that was needed on that particular decision. He said it was the one decision that was different from all the others. I paraphrase here, to illustrate the magnitude:
“Bailing out the auto industry or the financial system is one thing. But picturing Arlington Cemetery, with a mother, sitting in the rain, in front of a tombstone…..”
Ever decide to do something at the last minute, like an unplanned errand or something simple like that, and find yourself in a set of circumstances that just feels like God had planned it all along?
Last Friday was like that. Went to my Church to reserve a booth for the September Women’s Expo, and ran into Kim, the wife of Ralph, who selflessly lead our Men’s & Women’s Emmaus groups.
Kim and Ralph have a niece in Miami. And Bella is a miracle. The only person ever, in the history of the world to survive a very rare form of cancer.
Kim had in her hand one of only three copies of Bella’s book, “Why (Not) Me?”
With 180,000 books written each year and 80-million blogs and growing, not to mention Facebook, texting, email, jobs, news channels, You Tube……
Selling a book is next to impossible. All proceeds from this go to cancer research, so selling lots is important. Not to mention the hope and support this offers to others facing their cancer battles.
Ever drive down the road, see something, and feel compelled to turn around?
Last Friday, driving home after dropping our son off for a sleep-over birthday party, I saw a man along the curvy, two-lane country road. He was on his knees, fixing a sign and removing the yellow flowers.
Service is the rent we pay for our time here on Earth. — Mohammed Ali
Two days ago (I don’t make this up), I was driving home and stopped at the Disney University where Walt Disney World conducts Cast Member training. My friend Bob is from Verona, New Jersey and he works there. He went to school with Scott Chesney. Bob told me I needed to watch this You Tube video (51 min). Now I’m suggesting the same to you.
Scott woke up, at 15, while going to High School with Bob, and his toe was numb. Within two days, he was paralyzed from the waist down. At the time, major colleges were recruiting Scott for football and basketball, and Scott was only a sophomore. Listen how (25 years later) he inspires people to stop putting things off and overcome your fears:
The challenge is, we are too afraid to choose, so we talk and think like this:.
“By and large, humans squander their lives with I’m gonna, I will when, soon as, next week, next year, when the kids…, when I retire, soon as the job slows down, this Fall, starting New Year’s Day, blah, blah, blah…”
This is why death is mostly sad, when in reality, it ought to be one of the most glorious times of our lives.
(scroll down to view yesterday’s post, or click here to move to my next blog)
Yesterday’s post spoke of missing Cheryl as the highlight of the recent Oregon trip.
Why?
Because 26 years ago, we spent 17 days in the Pacific Northwest, cycling through Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, Canada and the North Cascade Mountains of Washington state.
There is something magical about being in wide, open spaces with the one you love.
And something about going back alone, to remind you of the early years.
Window Seat For Lunch
We Spent Less Than $200 In 17 Days
Dining Like Royalty
True Companions
Scroll down to read yesterday’s post or click here to go to next blog.
