On this Father's Day I can't help but be grateful for the opportunity to be a father. I love being a husband and father - and love my three boys. They bring me untold joy and keep me on the right path. In a day when fathers seem to be going extinct and society seems to hold them in less regard (even though evidence continues to point out the value of a father), I am grateful to receive the blessings of a father.
I never knew my biological father, but that void was replaced when my mother remarried and brought a father back into our home. I have never felt like I was cheated because my biological father was not there because of that.
So to all of you fathers that I know, thanks for being a dad. And to the fathers of my nieces and nephews, thank you for staying involved in their lives. And for those who may not be fathers, you can still have an impact on a child by showing them your love and guidance.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Sixty-One
Just like everyone else says, I certainly don't feel 61. Sometime my body reminds me that it is that old, but my soul feels quite young.
I had Coney Island on my bucket list before we leave NY, and dad had Freedom Tower. Dad had one more personal choice day he had to take before July, so we combined it all to make one fabulous day. We took the train and subways so it would be less stressful for dad. I can report that we figured it all out by ourselves, and never got lost. I love the train ride down along the river. We took the subway to Freedom Tower, so about 2 hours to there. We had bought our tickets on line, and went up to the top.
Dad will say this was the best part of the day. They did a fabulous job on the structure, architecture, and technology. The elevator takes 48 seconds to go all the way to the top. It displays an amazing video all around you as you ascend. Pretty cool. My only critique was that there was no where to sit- in line or in a short movie or even at the top. I think they want people to move around quickly. It took an hour in all, but was a lot of standing still, so my back did start to complain. It was supposed to be cloudy, but I got birthday bonuses all day, and it was sunny and we could see forever.
We ate at the same exact pizza place where Bret's Family and I ate lat year. The pizza was fantastic. I took a pic and sent it to Tevia to see if she recognized the spot.
The only one sad thing about the entire day was when I went to take photos, my camera said low battery. I had to use my phone. I don't think it takes good pics, and I don't know if I can take them off of the phone. So I only took a few. Kathy and Tevia would have been in shock. There was so much to photograph on this memorable day.
Then we took the subway all the way down to Coney Ialand. Now, I had heard a lot of negative things about it when I told people I was going, but it wasn't so bad, First of all, school is not out yet here, so it was not that crowded. Secondly, it was not too awful hot.
We found some gelato, and I got cinnamon and dark chocolate. Yummy!
We walked down to the beach and waded. It was sunny by then, and we wished we had our swim suits on. The beach we larger than we expected, and we saw a few crabs in the water. It cooked us and we relaxed on the sand for awhile until the sun felt too hot.
We then rode the famous carousal. It is a bit different than most. It does not keep going around, but stops, and your cart swings and glides along a track about 5 ft long. Kinda fun. It was pretty to see the entire park, and the ocean. I loved it.
I would say that if it was really hot and sunny, and crowded, the place would not have been so fun.
It is a small, Brooklyn area type of place, noting like Cedar Point, but fun to see.
We were giving points when we saw extraordinary things, like an eagle- which I saw fly right past my window as soon as we got on the train.
That was fun.
I always brings singles to give to people performing in the subway. The first guy was a violinist. He was really good and came onto our subway car.
Dad was reading all the signs in the subway, and inside there was a sign saying,"the poles are for your protection and safety, and not for performances." He kind of just brushed it off, Well, our next performance was a young black guy, about 16, who did an act on the poles! He was hinging upside down, jumping around, dancing to crazy music, and doing a hat and shoe trick. It was pretty entertaining.
We left home at 8, and got home at 7, shorter time than we had expected. I wore my knee brace all day, and it did good until the last hour or so.
From Coney Island to our house via train and subway,= 3 hours. Not bad, It was relaxing.
A very good birthday!
I had Coney Island on my bucket list before we leave NY, and dad had Freedom Tower. Dad had one more personal choice day he had to take before July, so we combined it all to make one fabulous day. We took the train and subways so it would be less stressful for dad. I can report that we figured it all out by ourselves, and never got lost. I love the train ride down along the river. We took the subway to Freedom Tower, so about 2 hours to there. We had bought our tickets on line, and went up to the top.
Dad will say this was the best part of the day. They did a fabulous job on the structure, architecture, and technology. The elevator takes 48 seconds to go all the way to the top. It displays an amazing video all around you as you ascend. Pretty cool. My only critique was that there was no where to sit- in line or in a short movie or even at the top. I think they want people to move around quickly. It took an hour in all, but was a lot of standing still, so my back did start to complain. It was supposed to be cloudy, but I got birthday bonuses all day, and it was sunny and we could see forever.
We ate at the same exact pizza place where Bret's Family and I ate lat year. The pizza was fantastic. I took a pic and sent it to Tevia to see if she recognized the spot.
The only one sad thing about the entire day was when I went to take photos, my camera said low battery. I had to use my phone. I don't think it takes good pics, and I don't know if I can take them off of the phone. So I only took a few. Kathy and Tevia would have been in shock. There was so much to photograph on this memorable day.
Then we took the subway all the way down to Coney Ialand. Now, I had heard a lot of negative things about it when I told people I was going, but it wasn't so bad, First of all, school is not out yet here, so it was not that crowded. Secondly, it was not too awful hot.
We found some gelato, and I got cinnamon and dark chocolate. Yummy!
We walked down to the beach and waded. It was sunny by then, and we wished we had our swim suits on. The beach we larger than we expected, and we saw a few crabs in the water. It cooked us and we relaxed on the sand for awhile until the sun felt too hot.
We then rode the famous carousal. It is a bit different than most. It does not keep going around, but stops, and your cart swings and glides along a track about 5 ft long. Kinda fun. It was pretty to see the entire park, and the ocean. I loved it.
I would say that if it was really hot and sunny, and crowded, the place would not have been so fun.
It is a small, Brooklyn area type of place, noting like Cedar Point, but fun to see.
We were giving points when we saw extraordinary things, like an eagle- which I saw fly right past my window as soon as we got on the train.
That was fun.
I always brings singles to give to people performing in the subway. The first guy was a violinist. He was really good and came onto our subway car.
Dad was reading all the signs in the subway, and inside there was a sign saying,"the poles are for your protection and safety, and not for performances." He kind of just brushed it off, Well, our next performance was a young black guy, about 16, who did an act on the poles! He was hinging upside down, jumping around, dancing to crazy music, and doing a hat and shoe trick. It was pretty entertaining.
We left home at 8, and got home at 7, shorter time than we had expected. I wore my knee brace all day, and it did good until the last hour or so.
From Coney Island to our house via train and subway,= 3 hours. Not bad, It was relaxing.
A very good birthday!
Monday, June 08, 2015
Birthday 2015
On my birthday this year I woke up early to head off to basketball like I do so many mornings over the past decade. I bought myself a new basketball on Saturday as a birthday present to me since my older one was starting to peel and was needing a replacement. We had 20 people show up this morning - maybe they heard it was my birthday. If so, they should have known I would have rather had less people show up - 10 -12 is ideal. =)
Last year I turned 40. It was hard to believe as in my mind that seems so old, but in reality I don't feel very old. I have been blessed with great health and a body that continues to provide me the ability to do the active things I love like basketball, tennis, hiking and more. In the last year I was able to travel to Israel, Ireland, New York, Mexico and Utah and a few other places. For the most part it was a healthy year. I don't recall being sick once - except for when I got a kidney stone (not sure if that counts as being sick, but I do recall that it wasn't fun!).
I am fortunate to be married to the same woman I fell in love with nearly 20 years ago. I've almost been with her half of my years on earth. What a blessing. She still is beautiful and such a wonderful mother. She has raised three amazing boys who act as examples to me and bring me joy every day. They are turning into men, which is difficult to watch and scary as I know soon they will venture into the big world. But they will be ready.
As I sit here and ponder why I have been blessed so much and think about this world and its purpose in our lives, I can't help but smile and be content. Just two years ago I was struggling with a job that I did not enjoy and found little satisfaction in. And now I have a job that brings me happiness and fulfillment. As I try hard to fill the role of Elders Quorum President, my biggest inspiration is helping the men in our ward feel that we should be here for each other. That happiness comes from within - and God loves us and we should love each other. I can see in people's eyes that there is doubt there; and doubt brings pain and fear.
Birthdays are so fun when you are young and so passing as you get old. I tend to focus on smaller things now; things that will bring just small bits of joy. Like buying strawberry nesquik this morning since that is what sounded good. Tonight we'll have Dairy Queen cake: still my favorite birthday treat.
Not long ago, most men in the world were lucky to live much longer than 40. Today, unless something unexpected happens, I could easily expect to live another 40 years. It seems incredible. I may not have even lived half my life. But that is great. I wouldn't mind filling the next 40 years with trips to Mexico, Lake Powell, and have the opportunity to see more of this beautiful earth God has created for us.
If I have any wisdom to pass on, it is to live life each day at a time. Our two older boys have kinda forced this perspective onto us. And truly it has been a blessing.
Last year I turned 40. It was hard to believe as in my mind that seems so old, but in reality I don't feel very old. I have been blessed with great health and a body that continues to provide me the ability to do the active things I love like basketball, tennis, hiking and more. In the last year I was able to travel to Israel, Ireland, New York, Mexico and Utah and a few other places. For the most part it was a healthy year. I don't recall being sick once - except for when I got a kidney stone (not sure if that counts as being sick, but I do recall that it wasn't fun!).
I am fortunate to be married to the same woman I fell in love with nearly 20 years ago. I've almost been with her half of my years on earth. What a blessing. She still is beautiful and such a wonderful mother. She has raised three amazing boys who act as examples to me and bring me joy every day. They are turning into men, which is difficult to watch and scary as I know soon they will venture into the big world. But they will be ready.
As I sit here and ponder why I have been blessed so much and think about this world and its purpose in our lives, I can't help but smile and be content. Just two years ago I was struggling with a job that I did not enjoy and found little satisfaction in. And now I have a job that brings me happiness and fulfillment. As I try hard to fill the role of Elders Quorum President, my biggest inspiration is helping the men in our ward feel that we should be here for each other. That happiness comes from within - and God loves us and we should love each other. I can see in people's eyes that there is doubt there; and doubt brings pain and fear.
Birthdays are so fun when you are young and so passing as you get old. I tend to focus on smaller things now; things that will bring just small bits of joy. Like buying strawberry nesquik this morning since that is what sounded good. Tonight we'll have Dairy Queen cake: still my favorite birthday treat.
Not long ago, most men in the world were lucky to live much longer than 40. Today, unless something unexpected happens, I could easily expect to live another 40 years. It seems incredible. I may not have even lived half my life. But that is great. I wouldn't mind filling the next 40 years with trips to Mexico, Lake Powell, and have the opportunity to see more of this beautiful earth God has created for us.
If I have any wisdom to pass on, it is to live life each day at a time. Our two older boys have kinda forced this perspective onto us. And truly it has been a blessing.
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