As 2011 winds down, I've been doing what I do at this time of every year-- remembering, reviewing, reflecting. For me, this process will not end at mid-night of Dec 31, but I will be much closer to drawing some conclusions and concerns, and will commit to some new choices for 2012.
For me, 2011 was a paradigm of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. On the high side: I finished two new books that were released which included a very successful book signing tour in Florida and Georgia; knocked out a big-time "bucket list" item which was a 6500 mile motorcycle trip in 25 days with my long time best friend, Jerry Wagley; and then the topper which was the birth of our 8th grandchild--Reagan Emily Doyle, born to Chad and Joey Doyle on July 29th. There were many other highs but these were the biggies.
The lows? Will only mention two. (1)On our family beach trip in June, Chad & Joey were in an auto accident that put Joey in a Pensacola hospital with serious possibilities that she would give birth much too early. For 10 days, it was extremely scary and then it leveled out and they went home to Hilton Head where Joey was on bedrest for several weeks before delivering Little Peanut. (2) Totally unexpectedly, on July 29th (yes, the same day Reagan was born) I was in the cath lab where it was discovered that I had 5 blocked coronary arteries-- yes, that's 5 with blockage 80-90% in all of them. Five days later I had by-pass surgery and it was discovered that I was diabetic and had sleep apnea-- a trifecta of sorts!!! Before all of this was revealed, I had no history of high blood pressure, heart disease, nor diabetes. Since then I've been on a rigorous rehab program which will continue for a very long time, if not a lifetime.
Reflecting on all this means for me 2011 was a year with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. How do I explain such? It's called life.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
5 Suggestions To Ponder
1. Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.
2. Never go anywhere without WD-40 and Duct Tape.
3. The four most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship– "I'm sorrry" and "You’re right." Just make sure you don't get it in reverse and say-- "You're sorry" and "I'm right!"
4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
5. For Women (and Men, too!) Never make a big decision when you are hormonal!
2. Never go anywhere without WD-40 and Duct Tape.
3. The four most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship– "I'm sorrry" and "You’re right." Just make sure you don't get it in reverse and say-- "You're sorry" and "I'm right!"
4. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
5. For Women (and Men, too!) Never make a big decision when you are hormonal!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Enough Already!
For a very long time, I've been bothered by athletes, politicians, and other celebrities, as well as your everyday run of the mill folk, who make a public display of their personal piety. That includes Muhammad Ali (who started every interview by thanking Allah and his prophet Elijah Mohammad.) In today's world it includes Albert Pujols and numerous other baseball players who point skyward when they make a good play. And now we are bombarded with tebowing, as in Tim Tebow who kneels in the end zone in a prayerful position after scoring a touchdown.
An article appeared on Facebook last week asking, "Is God a fan of the Denver Broncos?" And then, "Is God a fan of Tim Tebow?" Are you kidding me-- God cares about the Broncos because Tebow is a devout Christian? What a travesty of faith, Christian or otherwise, and what a ludicrous example of what it means to be a genuine Christian.
Why are the Denver Broncos winning (at least now) and why is Tim Tebow getting the job done as an unorthodox quarterback? Because he is an exceptional athlete-- maybe even one of a kind in football for the last many years.
Knowing this offering will probably take a beating from those who disagree and may even protest "heresy," I will follow the advice of my old theology professor. Said he, "Always cover your heresy with scripture."
Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
I end where I started: Be suspicious of anyone who makes a public display of their private piety.
An article appeared on Facebook last week asking, "Is God a fan of the Denver Broncos?" And then, "Is God a fan of Tim Tebow?" Are you kidding me-- God cares about the Broncos because Tebow is a devout Christian? What a travesty of faith, Christian or otherwise, and what a ludicrous example of what it means to be a genuine Christian.
Why are the Denver Broncos winning (at least now) and why is Tim Tebow getting the job done as an unorthodox quarterback? Because he is an exceptional athlete-- maybe even one of a kind in football for the last many years.
Knowing this offering will probably take a beating from those who disagree and may even protest "heresy," I will follow the advice of my old theology professor. Said he, "Always cover your heresy with scripture."
Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
I end where I started: Be suspicious of anyone who makes a public display of their private piety.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
The Cab Ride
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drivethrough downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.'Nothing,' I said. 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then drove away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will alwasy remember how you made them feel.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drivethrough downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.'Nothing,' I said. 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then drove away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will alwasy remember how you made them feel.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thoughts to Ponder
1. My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
2. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every damn minute of it.
3. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
6. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
7. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck- is-the-room- spinning medicine.
12. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
13. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
14. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
15. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
16. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
17. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
18. Procrastinate Now!
19. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
20. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
21. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
22. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
23. They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
24. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
25. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
26. Ham & eggs-- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
27. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
2. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every damn minute of it.
3. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
6. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
7. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck- is-the-room- spinning medicine.
12. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
13. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
14. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
15. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
16. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
17. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
18. Procrastinate Now!
19. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
20. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
21. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
22. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
23. They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
24. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
25. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
26. Ham & eggs-- A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
27. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
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