Easter 2010

Today I celebrated the resurrection of Christ with my mother, father, brother and his family in their church. Over 1,100 people in attendance and it was an awesome experience, from the music to the sermon and even the after service events. As I looked over the crowd as I was leaving the sanctuary, I suddenly was taken back 41 years earlier. Easter, 1969. I would have been 8 years old and my brother Carl about 4. My youngest brother Gary was yet to have been born, but my mother would give birth to him that September. These two Easters really had nothing in common, other than it was Easter, and again I shared it with my brother and my parents. My father had worked for weeks on my brother and my easter suits, and after this picture was taken we would have gone to chruch somewhere, I am not sure where at that time, it may have been at the church I went as a teen, but not sure. I do not remember, but I do remember one thing.

It was the first Easter I realized that the man Jesus, that one we celebrated his birth at Christmas had died and on Easter rose from the dead. I must have heard it from the sermon that morning, but I remember at first thinking..."Wow, can that really happen?" then thinking that if he could do it, then maybe all of us could do it. We all would rise from the dead, and never die. I liked that idea.

It is funny how certain things bring back memories we have stored away deep into our minds and suddenly there they are again. It was like I was back in 1969, holding my little brother's hand and getting onto the church bus and being excited because when we got home there would be an Easter basket filled with eggs and candy. So innocent.

Here I was 41 years later, sitting in a church service, listening to a sermon very similar I am sure to that one I was listening to 41 years earlier. My brother sitting in the pew down from me. I almost wanted to reach over and take his hand hoping in a way we both could go back to that day.

Easter is a special day. A day for life. A day for living. Made possible by one that loved us so much that he died, so we could live to see today and to have lived all these years and have those precious memories.

Happy Easter.

2009 Update

I know it has been a month since my last real post, however with Adam's diagnosis and hospital visits, the holidays and moving, time has just not allowed me to post as much as I would like. So for a quick update...

ADAM: He is doing very well. He has had two sessions of chemo already and is tolerating them extremely well. The tumors have already went down considerably. At least the ones we can see, the ones in the lung we are not sure of yet. A pet scan is going to be done on the 12th of January and once we get the results we will know if the chemo is doing what it is supposed to be doing. You can follow his journey with Hodgkins at his blog ADAM'S JOURNEY

HOLIDAYS: The same as last year only we are all another year older. Actually Christmas was very nice and it was good to have all the family together again. My daughter came down from Columbus on Christmas Eve, so all four of my kids were here as were my grand kids. It was very nice. DJ and i did not exchange gifts this year, however we did buy some new rings for one another. they are titanium carbide, and look very nice with one single diamond in the center. This is the first time in the almost 9 years we have been together that we have really nice rings.
New Years was uneventful, well not really, but i can not share right now. I will let you know in a few days what the "secret" is. We had a little get together New Years Eve with DJ's family, which is always nice. I enjoy his family and the bond they seem to have. It is good to bring in the new year with them.

MOVING: Yes, we have moved again. Just down the street into a two bedroom apartment. With Adam spending more and more time with us, I felt it was time to get him and J2 their own room to share when they are here. The place is very nice and has not only two bedrooms but two baths as well! That is almost a necessity with four "almost" men in the house.

Welcome 2009!

America's Birthday!

Happy Birthday America!!!

Happy St. Patricks!

Sorry for the lack of posts, but busy times lately. Busy at work, busy with family, just busy.

But I did take some time out tonight to celebrate St. Patty's Day with "midget". We went to a friendly neighborhood bar and then to dinner. Some quality time with a quality person. And no, we didn't have any green beer....

Off To A Great Start

So far, 2008 is off to a great start. This is the first year in sometime that I didn't spend the holidays sick!! YEAH! The first day of the year began lounging in bed until noon and then watching TV and playing on the computer. What a better way to spend the day, right? I loved it! Back to work today after a longer than normal ride in due to the ice and snow on the roads, but all was well.

Busy at work, the way I like it. Makes the day go faster and keeps me out of trouble. Tonight we celebrated DJ's little sister's birthday at Olive Garden. She turned 17 today. The rest of the week is filled with more dinners and post Christmas get togethers. Seeing Midget tomorrow night and Silver on Friday. So the week is planned. Then the weekend.

I wanted to be a little more active in 2008, so if the first week is any indication, it looks as though it's off to a good start.

Hope your New Years was great as well.

Check out my new grand kids pics from Christmas. It's so hard to believe they are so big already. The new grand baby will be here next month. Time flies!

Christmas 2007

All I Want For Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner I began thinking last night not what I really want for Christmas, but what I really NEED for Christmas. I pondered this question for a while and realized there is not really anything that I really need.

I have a great partner that I love more with each day that passes, and he loves me in return. I have four great kids and two great grandkids and a family that loves me. I have a great job that I enjoy going to... at least three days out the week. I have both my parents, still healthy and happily married. I am alive, and somewhat healthy with both my MS and diabetes under control. I have a great new apartment that keeps me warm and cozy. I have food in my fridge and plenty of water. So many things I have that I take for granted.

So, do I really need that 42" plasma screen TV, a new cell phone, more clothes, or a new upgrade on my computer? No, not really. Do I need any of those things? Well not really do I need them, but that 42" Plasma TV would look really great in my great, new and Cozy apartment!!

Where has it Gone?

It's December 1, 2007!! The last month of the year. Where has 2007 gone? It is so hard to believe that it is almost Christmas and that this year is almost over. Tonight I will be attending my first Christmas party of the season. The first of many.

Time flies when your having fun I suppose.

On the 12th of this month I will celebrate my first year at my new job, that too is hard to believe. So many hours of of time have been spent this year preparing documents, taking phone calls and preparing for hearings and amending complaints. It just seems so unreal to think I've been there a year already.

So officially tonight begins the slide to the end. The end of the year. Most of the month it will be spent in oblivion, as the parties, and holiday festivities will just go by me and very little attention will be paid to them. Make my stops, share my gifts and before I know it, Christmas will also be over and I will begin to make the move into 2008.

So before all the chaos, excitement, festivities and over-eating begins, if I happen to forget Happy Holidays!

I REALLY Wanted to Go Shopping

All day yesterday I thought about shopping. You know "Black Friday", but I refrained myself and stayed in all day, just venturing out long enough to take out the garbage. Even though my sons, who are staying the weekend wanted to get out of the house. I boarded up the doors and sat solemnly in my home, but my heart was saying... shop shop shop...

So today I decided I was going SHOPPING!!

We got up and I fixed breakfast and had a shower and we all headed out. I had my heart set on buying this new TV stand that I really wanted. So DJ, J2 and AT and I headed out into the world of bargain shoppers. We got all the way down the interstate, and onto the exit ramp to turn onto the busiest stretch of shopping heaven this side of Cincinnati. As I waited for the light to turn green, in anticipation of loading my car up with a newly purchased TV stand, the car died...

Yes, right on the exit ramp with cars coming up behind me, with that same determination that I had to shop, barrelling right behind me, but I was going...NO WHERE!!!

To make a long story short. I went shopping today. At Advance Auto Parts where I purchased a shiny new fully charged battery for my car.

So much for the festive shopping experience I was entertaining in my head.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a Few Days Away

The holidays are right around the corner. Of course my friend Silver is already listening to "Sounds of the Season", as it plays through his house via digital cable. The stores have already taken down all the Halloween things and replaced them with Santa Claus', reindeer, angels, Christmas trees and Christmas decorations.

You see a few Thanksgiving decorations, but nothing like you used to when I was a kid. Remember those pictures of the Pilgrims? Did those men really wear those hats with the belt buckles on them?? Haven't saw too many of those around.

Do you remember making the turkey with your hand print? You would lay your hand down on a piece of paper and trace around it. Then you would add color to the fingers as the feathers, and then add eyes onto the thumb. And don't forget the "gobbler". Thanksgiving has kind of faded away between Halloween and Christmas. Such a shame.

This year or tradition is changing. For years we have went to my parents for Thanksgiving, ready for mom's great cooking. She would work all day on the dinner and then settle down with her boys and their families for the meal. This year my brother and his wife will have the Thanksgiving dinner at their home. This is the first time in 47 years I have not been at my mother's for Thanksgiving. I understand the reasoning. Mom is just not able to do all that work like she used to, and her home is just not big enough for all of us now. But still it is kind of sad to think that the Holidays will be shared not in my childhood home. Christmas is going to be held at my younger brother and his wife's home this year. So neither of the Holidays will be the same.

But, they festivities are just a few days away. I need to let go of the nostalgia and just be happy that all my family are still here to share the holidays.

End of Summer 2007

Today marks the biggest celebration of Cincinnati, the end of the Summer and the WEBN Labor Day Fireworks. It's the largest fireworks display in the Midwest, and it's held every year the Sunday before Labor Day. Last year's attendance was more than 400,000, and that was with poor weather. While competing with nearly half a million people, finding a desirable seat can be difficult. WEBN will celebrate its 40th birthday the same way it has for the last 30 years - shooting off fireworks for a few hundred thousand of its closest friends.

When the station first staged a fireworks display on Aug. 30, 1977, to celebrate its tenth anniversary, Riverfest was born. I was there that night with my best friend at the time as we watched the fireworks from the Roebling Bridge.

The initial event, publicized only on the station, caught city officials and police off guard when 50,000 people showed up. There was so little organization that a freight train pulled along the Cincinnati riverfront and stopped, blocking the exit for thousands after the show.

Cincinnati's recreation department quickly picked up organizing the day-long Riverfest and WEBN was content to produce the pyrotechnics. What started as a little birthday blow-out quickly became an end-of-the-summer tradition, now attracting almost two dozen corporate sponsors. The event is heavily touted as a tourist attraction.

This year's Cincinnati Bell WEBN Fireworks (9:05 p.m. Sunday) will shoot off some 5,200 shells, with 40 percent of them packed into the finale. Many of the shells are custom-made by the award-winning Rozzi's Famous Fireworks of Loveland. The fireworks family has staged every Riverfest show since 1977.

Wireless technology allows a musical soundtrack to be synched with the booms to the millisecond by embedding computer chips in many of the shells. They trigger those shells' explosions by detecting a signal placed at key points in the soundtrack.

This year's soundtrack is more thematic than in past years, said WEBN production director Joel Moss. He says it will include more audio bites than usual, as it is designed to be a pop-culture history lesson, from LBJ to George Bush, from Sgt. Pepper to Korn.

For the first time, the fireworks will be seen around the world, as the show will be streamed at Cincinnati Bell's Zoomtown.com. Also, the Pentagon's Military Channel will carry the show on the cable channel seen in bases around the world.

Personally, I stay close to home on this particular Sunday as I really don't want to fight the crowds. It is actually more enjoyable to watch from the comfort of my living room. Yes, I am getting old.

Traditions

Tonight we made the small trek over to DJ's aunt's home for her annual 4th of July Celebration. She lives very close to a park where they have an excellent firework show. We all sit out in her front yard sharing stories and the weeks events while we wait for the sun go down and the sky to light up. It's a night I truly enjoy because it reminds me of the old pictures I used to see of families out in their yards on the 4th of July watching the parades. We don't see that much anymore, whole neighborhoods getting together and celebrating our country and our freedoms.

Tonight I recalled my 10th year, when I was in cub scouts and I was in a 4th of July parade and I was chosen to carry the U.S. Flag the entire parade route. My parents were so proud, they walked along next to me taking pictures with their new Polaroid and dad filming on his old 35mm camera. True Americana.

I also thought of our soldiers that are in Iraq and how tonight the skies where they are will also be lit up, but not from fireworks celebrating independence. How they are away from their families and friends and neighbors, trying to do their jobs but probably deep in their hearts wanting so much to be in their front yards watching the fireworks.

I also thought about why they are there. I rarely comment in my blog regarding politics or religion. My father always has told me that those are two things you do not discuss in mixed company. But as I sat there tonight I thought about how most of the wars in the past were for a cause, and how Americans all over the country were proud of what we were doing by sending our servicemen and women to foreign fields. Today when you ask the response is almost always the same. "I support our troops, they are just doing their job, but they need to be back home."

The situation in Iraq continues to go on and on, with no end in sight and more and more of our men and women die every day.

My celebration tonight seemed a little melancholy as I thought on this. Yes, Americans are still proud if their son or daughter is chosen to carry the U.S. flag in the 4th of July parade. Yes, they are proud of their sons and daughters when they choose to enlist in the armed services and hang their pictures in their homes with honor and pride. But mention our President's name and the war in Iraq, then the tune changes. It's time for our troops to come home, with flags waving and the bands playing letting them know how proud were are of them. It's time for our President to get the message. It's time to restore honor in our White House and Capital Hill. 2008 can not get here soon enough.

Hope you and your family have a safe and Happy 4th, and as we celebrate let's remember those that are out there in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan and pray that they soon come home alive and proud to be an American as they should be.

Memorial

Tomorrow will be Memorial Day and unlike last year I will not be able to attend my couisn's annual Memorial Day picnic. Gas prices are soaring and with DJ's work schedule we have to bow out this year. But as I think of memorial day, and watch the news reports of the Iraq War my memories go back to almost 40 years earlier.

In 1967 a young man just out of high school enlists in the U.S. Army. He is the oldest son of four children, three boys and a girl. His family has lived in a small midwestern Ohio village called Seven Mile most of his life. A very good looking young man, with hopes and dreams, that he can make a difference. Within a year he has died in Vietnam. He became almost like an icon in our family. I had three uncles that also went to Vietnam, but it is he our family remembers. My youngest brother was even given his name. Gary Dean.

When I read the Sunday paper this morning, on the front page was a picture of a young good looking high school senior that will soon leave for Iraq. It made me think of my cousin Gary who 40 years earlier probably had many of the same hopes, dreams and fears that this young man has. I pray that this young man comes back home to his family and is able to realize his dreams. Unlike my cousin Gary Bowling who came home in a flag draped coffin. A family hero. A family icon. I thank and honor that young man I saw today in the front page of the paper, sitting with his parents. I thank and honor my cousin, Gary Bowling who gave his life for what he thought was right. I also thank and honor all thos on this another Memorial Day, and pray our men and women soon can all return home.

Mother's Day

47 Years ago, on Mother's Day, my mother was 21 years old and 7 months pregnant.

In July of that same year at 22, she gave birth, to me the first of her three sons.

Today, at 68, almost 69 years old she continues to nurture us. Three sons, 8 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Judging is a Tough Job

Another long gap between posts. I know. But between my new job, the addiction to WoW and all the new DVD's that are coming out that I have to catch up on I've allowed my blog to suffer. Poor blog.

However, things are progressing quite nicely lately and no major catastrophes in my life, thank God!

Speaking of which, I went to church on Easter Sunday. Most of you know my background so I can say this. I felt that the services Sunday were like a bad episode of American Idol. Seriously. The choir was good, but nothing that would make you go "Wow, what a performance!" You know, just not memorable. The special music was a little lackluster and void of real emotion. They seemed like that they were just going through the motions. Maybe the song was a little too old for them. It wasn't as contemporary as you would think it should have been with the average age of the choir members.

The sermon was your typical Easter Sunday sermon. Nothing to write home about. But then again, who am I to judge it was the first time I had been to church this entire year. Yet, in all honesty I felt the entire congregation needed to get out of their comfort zones and take some risks, at least acting moved and motivated. The most touching part of the entire service for me was when the pastor introduced a young marine, home from basic training and heading to Iraq. The entire congregation stood and applauded.

Maybe I should take a clue from Paula Abdul and take little sip now and again next time I go to church. But anyway...

My brother turns 42 today and I want to wish him the best. He still looks good for 42. Better than me, but then again he's always looked better than me. However, his mustache does need a trim. Happy Birthday little brother and I am sorry about all those times I accused you of eating Dad's Nutter butter peanut butter cookies. I don't even like them, never did. I just ate them so you'd get into trouble.

Under the Weather

Well we got the freezing rain, snow and sub-zero temps they said we were going to get. Sometimes, unfortunately the weather forecasters get it right. But not only did we get the weather, I got something else. Some bug.

I have felt like shit for three days and finally today, after leaving work early on Thursday I just could not go to work. All day today I laid in bed. It's some kind of respitory infection I guess, but I am so exhausted all I can do is sleep.

Valentines Day came and went, and of course DJ thought of me and bought me some chocolates and The Departed DVD. The movie is great. Pure edrenelin rush. Damon, DiCaprio, Wahlburg and of course Nicholson was fantastic. Not giving any secrets away, but there is plenty of people getting killed and suspense, action and just plain good acting and film-making. I see this taking home the gold for Best Picture, it was that good. I know not a Valentines gift you'd expect, but DJ knows my love of movies and knew how much I wanted this one. He is too good to me. And what is an appropriate Valentine's Day gift?

A Look Back

As the year comes to a close it allows us to take a look back and see how we did and just what the year was about. As I look back on 2006 it was a year of changes for me. Major life changes. In January I found out that my son and daughter both were to become parents in 2006 and in June my grandson Rylan was born, then in August my grand-daughter Alana was born. Those two events were one of the best things in my life period, right up there with the birth of my own children, coming out and meeting DJ. What those two have brought to me, my family and to their parents is nothing short of spectacular.

In July another life altering experience which I chose myself. I walked out of the best paying job that I have ever had after two years. Yes, it was the right thing to do, but looking back I would have been more prepared. I thought I would get a job in a matter of weeks, but those weeks turned into five months of no income. We lost our apartment and are once again in debt more than we need to be. I see the light at the end of the tunnel now, but if circumstances cause that to happen again in my life, I will be more of a boy scout about it and BE PREPARED!

There were other issues I dealt with in 2006; the increasing toll MS is having on my body, and the reality of my parents getting older, the celebration of 5 years between DJ and I, a new and exciting job with great opportunities, the online publication of my book and an inner peace that I haven't felt in some time.

So overall as I look back on 2006 I would say with a rating from 1 to 10, 2006 was a 7. And for 2007? I never try to make predictions or resolutions, I just wait and see what it has to offer and face it one day at a time.

Happy New Year to all of you!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas. NOT!

Yes it is only five days away, but it doesn't feel like it. Why you ask? I'll give you a few reasons...

1. I have no money: Not that Christmas is all about money and giving gifts and receiving gifts (well it has become all about that) but being unemployed for five months I have no cash to spare to buy anyone, anything. Not even my kids and grandkids. I've told them all they have to wait until Spring. Thank goodness they all understand. Even DJ and I are not buying for one another. What Christmas gifts we are giving are those that DJ has created from his own hands.

2. There is no Snow: What is Christmas without snow? Hell it hasn't even been that cold around here. The forecasters are saying it is going to be around 50 on Christmas Eve. It seems more like late March or early April around here.

3. No Christmas Cards. Well that's a lie, I have received two. One from my new employer and one from Kare Bear in Savannah. But due to our move most of my friends (the few I have) either don't send out cards or do not have my new address. For family sending out cards the only ones I get, I will receive on Christmas Eve, hand delivered.

4. Not Been Shopping: Due to the lack of money (see #1) we haven't had to shop. To be honest, this is a good one, as I hate to shop at Christmas. Nothing puts me in a worse mood than fighting crazy traffic, standing in long lines and listening to annoying Christmas songs permeating out of bad loudspeakers. I'm not a Scrooge, but online shopping is great. When you have the funds that is.

5. No Christmas Programs: I am normally invited to at least one school or church Christmas program (not that I usually go, but they could at least ask) This year nada, not one. Not even from my brother, who almost always invites me to his church's annual Christmas Cantata (what DOES that word mean anyway?)

6. No Christmas Bonus: For the past ten years I have always received a Christmas bonus, either cash or the classic holiday ham or turkey. This year due to my employment (see #1, again) I did not receive a Christmas bonus. They handed them out at work today, but being only employed with this company for a week and and half I didn't expect one. (you'd think they'd pro-rate it!)

So, Alas Christmas is upon us, but to me it seems like just any old holiday. Christmas doesn't arrive here until December 25, 2007. I have 370 days left to shop!!!!!