Thankful For Lane 8, And Jack

Will you go through the motions today, or will you find one hundred things to be thankful for today?

All Time Favorite

Happy Birthday Cheryl. First Johnny, then Margaret, now it’s your turn. Three birthdays in four days.

A simple blog post will not do justice to what I’m feeling and thinking this morning.

To say that we make a great team is an understatement.  To say that I could live without you is impossible.

To thank God that your Mom and Dad met, fell in love, and started a Family with you at the center, would take an eternity.

And as you’ve heard me play that Garth Brooks song many times, “If Tomorrow Never Comes“, will she know how much I loved her?

These five daily blogs are as much for you as they are for our son.

Here’s to the future and many more birthdays.

Descendent?

Happy Birthday Margaret. My Mother-In-Law turns 87 today.

“Mom” is still living in the house she was born in. Same house her entire life. Never moved out. Never moved away.

She was one of nine children. Her Mother, “Grammy”, open a one-room grocery store (1927) in what is now the living room in their three-story row home in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Grammy raised nine children, ran the store from early morning to late at night for 44 years.

Her Father, who died in his 30′s, was a shoe cobbler in the the back of the house.

“Mom” has aches and pains like most 87 year olds, an answering machine, and even a Trac Phone.

She is a devout Catholic and prays all the time, even when it doesn’t seem so.

She has shown us unconditional love, simplicity, kindness and generosity, loyalty, and love.

Mom, you amaze us with your spirit.  We love you.

What Does the Future Hold?

Happy Birthday Johnny. Johnny, my Father-In-Law, turns 84 today. Can you imagine 84?

His father died when he was just a young boy. His uncle, an alcoholic, tried to raise him as best he could.

Johnny got his driver’s license to get a job with the City of Allentown, but never drove a car, his entire life.

Johnny served our country in Europe during WWII, putting his life on the line for you and me.

Johnny provided for his Family, working hard all his life, at a job that provided no glamour, no glory, no prestige.

Johnny always tried to make his wife and daughter happy, so they never had to “go without”.

Johnny is a devout Catholic.  And a big Frank Sinatra fan.

Johnny retired and never had to work another day in his life.

Johnny is a “rich” man.

Like many 84-year olds, his health is failing.  He knows it.  We all know it.

Johnny, if this is the last birthday you have (and I pray to God it’s not), my birthday wish for you is that you know that I Love You!

Nine!  Wow!

Last night at dinner in Indiana, my client asked me to describe our son, but only using one-word descriptors.

I wish the one-words would have rolled off my tongue.  As I thought about it, words came to mind:

• Honest
• Techie
• Compassionate
• Brave
• Smart
• Athletic
• Strong
• Healthy
• Spiritual
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Nice
• Courteous
• Courageous
• Funny
• Understanding

Long ago, I asked our son a question, “If I lined up all the boys in the entire world, know which one would be my favorite”?

He thought for a a few moments, “Me”?

“Yes”!

Now when I ask him, I get to about the fourth word in the question and he exclaims in no uncertain terms, “Me”!

Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, I’m luvin’ it!  Carpe diem, jeff noel