Waking up on New Year's Day morning, people will greet the new year in various states of readiness (largely depending on what occurred the night before). Many will take advantage of the holiday and sleep well into the morning. Others will wake up early to get ready for another day of company, football, and more food. And some will take the time to make their 2014 New Year's Resolutions.
Read More"Hey, where's my hat?" I asked my wife.
"What hat?" my wife responded.
"My hat for tennis. I have a match today, and I need my hat!" I exclaimed.
"Look in your tennis bag, or in the closet where you throw everything!” she exclaimed back.
"Hey, I found it where you left it... in my tennis bag,” I responded sarcastically.
After the horrific events of 9/11, The New York Times published survivor's accounts of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Many survivors spoke of some angel, some young man coming out of the smoke and fire on 104th floor wearing a red bandana around his face, and yelling in a calm and commanding voice,
"Follow me. I found the staircase. If you can help someone else, then help them."
"I can't seem to pass Level 64!” exclaimed my wife for what seemed like the twentieth time.
"It's just so frustrating. Sheryl is on Level 70. How is she doing it?" my wife continued.
"Can't help you, JoMarie. I don't know what you are talking about. Ask Lauren. I think she is on Level 150 or something." I said, as I shook my head and left the room.
If I knew it was the last time I would see you, I would have I stayed longer by your side;
If I knew it was the last time I would talk with you, I would have listened more and asked better questions;
If I knew it was the last time I would laugh with you, I would have laughed harder and louder.
Read MoreWhile on vacation, I went on a bike ride with my four-year-old daughter, Veronica. With her riding in a wheeled buggy attached to my bike, we rode the local bike trails.
It was a beautiful day. The temperature was cool, the sun bright, and a slight warm breeze embraced us during our ride.
On the morning of January 24, 2013, Kerry Drake was flying home to see his dying mother. The last-minute flight would get him there in time to see his mother only if the entire schedule was on time, and allowed a 40-minute connection.
While flying on the first flight segment, Kerry received an update from the airline captain that the flight would arrive late. He realized at that point, he would miss his connecting flight and would not be able to make it to his mother's side in time. Kerry, sitting in his airline seat, started to cry uncontrollably.
They came to me a dream - a very strange dream indeed. A ladybug, a squirrel and an eagle, each one appeared and shared advice. To this day, I am not sure why.
Sitting in a lawn chair in my yard, a ladybug landed on my hand. To my surprise, it spoke in a voice that sounded just like my Aunt Leona. The ladybug said:
"Here is my advice to you on this day -
Be well rounded. Try many experiences and always learn more each day.
Sam, a young boy growing up on a farm, spent many hours watching the ducks on the farm's pond. Sam often approached the ducks only to have them swim or fly away in fear.
One day, a duckling waddled over to him and started to eat some breadcrumbs that had dropped from his peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Sam was amazed that as he reached down to pick up the duckling, it was not afraid of him. With the duckling still eating a few remaining breadcrumbs in his hand, Sam decided on the spot to keep the duckling as a pet.
"Hey... WATCH OUT! Stay in this lane! You can't merge into that lane!"
"Whew... that was close."
"Didn't you see that car?"
"No, the car was right in my blind spot."
Bend, Oregon, with a population of over 80,000 people, offers great skiing and snowmobiling in the winter at nearby Mt. Bachelor and white water rafting, trout fishing and camping in the spring and summer. It also has one of largest concentrations of microbreweries and craft breweries in the world, making Bend, Oregon a perfect setting for a father-and-son Spring Break vacation.
...and so it was.
In the stillness of the night, he takes each breath slowly; deliberately. Eyes closed, hands by his side. The silence is only broken by the humming and hissing of the oxygen machine. The oxygen, supplied in a clear plastic tube to his nose, enables his dreams to be more peaceful; bringing a degree of comfort and relief to a weary body now in the third week of home Hospice care.
For four nights and portions of the day, I have been watching Dad.
Research shows we retain...
It has been another long day. Your job, though it is professionally rewarding and pays the bills, take its toll on life outside of work. Yes, there are times when you have missed Billie's games, the opening of Susie's school play, and you almost scheduled a business trip on your wedding anniversary, but you feel overall you have managed pretty well over the years to achieve a good balance between work and family.
It's 8:30 PM as you walk in the door. Eight-year-old Billie, your "best buddy," is in his pajamas and ready for bed. Upon hearing the door open, he runs to see you.
"There appears to be a pattern developing here."
"Pattern? What pattern?"
"The pattern of mediocrity."
"So, is that bad?"
"Absolutely! With as much talent as you have; your background, your high potential, this is really, really bad."
"You are making too much of this. I am just tired, and I need a break."
"I love you."
"What?"
"I love you!"
"Wow...why did you say that?"
"Well, you are very special to me. I can't wait to see you. And when we are together, I am the happiest person on earth."
"That is so sweet. But what brought this on?"
"Well, I was watching a World War II movie the other day. This guy couldn't get the nerve up in person to say that he loved his girlfriend, so he wrote a letter to express how much he cared for her, and that he loved her with all his heart."
"What happened?"
"Tragically, the guy died in battle the next day after he wrote the letter, and the letter was finally delivered ten years later after the war had ended."
"How sad..."
"For over ten years, she wondered if he really loved her. Well, I don't want you to think for one moment more, or for ten years no less, that I love you."
"But you are in no danger like the soldier. The only danger as an accountant is that you may spill your Diet Coke on your keyboard, or you may get a paper cut on one of your financial statements."
"Very funny. The movie reminded me that life is fleeting, and if you feel strongly about a person, you should express it now before it's too late."
"You are so right. And by the way, I love you too!"
Until Next Friday,
