In Common

Since the beginning of the year, my work has been absolutely exploding.  It’s been a major blessing and jobs have been pouring in from the border in San Diego to San Jose in Northern California. But there is more work than I can handle at times, so I thought I would try to hire someone full time to help me.

I put out the word to people I know, and my wife posted on Social Media, but as of yet no luck. The one thing I keep hearing is that young people don’t want to work hard. Instead, they want to work from home, get paid tons of money, be on their phones and social media all day, and enjoy instant gratification. That might be true, and it might not be. I don’t like to generalize. But if it is true, then I would have to say that I don’t have much in common with the younger generation. I started working really hard when I was 16, and I’ve never stopped. I don’t mind driving, I don’t mind getting dirty, and I enjoy being productive. I especially enjoy challenges and learning new things. So what’s up with the next generation?

I found out this past weekend. My daughter and her husband took a short trip to Nashville for both business and pleasure. So my granddaughter, Andie, who is 15, is staying with us for a week. I have been driving her to school and picking her up and getting to spend some quality time with her. The more I get to know her, the more impressed I am with her. If she is an example of the next generation, then the world is going to be a lot better off than it is now. Andie is sweet and quiet, but she is also uncommonly strong and athletic, making varsity cheerleader as a sophomore. She plays piano, sings, and is a soloist in her school choir. She works really hard in school, makes straight A’s, and oh yeah… her goal is to become a pediatrician so she can help sick kids.

I was starting to think that I probably don’t have anything in common with the next generation. And I for sure probably don’t have anything in common with my 15 year old granddaughter. But maybe I was wrong, because yesterday morning, when I asked Andie about  her faith, she said, “Faith is very important to me.” You know what… we have a lot in common!

Be kind, don’t judge, and have respect for others.

If we can all do this, the world will be a better place.

The point is to teach this to the next generation.

~ Jasmine Guinness

Love and Sacrifice

Today is Mother’s Day. It’s the day we celebrate and honor our Moms, a day where we show them our love and take care of them for a change. However, I have a feeling that in most households Mom is still busy working, helping with the food, making sure everyone is happy, and cleaning up afterwards. It’s not our fault that happens… most Moms are just built that way. But still, we men should try to help out where we can with the chores and stuff, you know, so the women aren’t so busy.

My Mom certainly was a busy Mom. Unfortunately I can’t thank her because she passed away. But if I could thank her, here is what I would say… Hi Mom! I miss you and I’m sorry that I didn’t call you more often when you were still alive. But I want you to know that even though I didn’t call you every day, I always thought about you, because every single day things would happen that would remind me of you and all the things you taught me growing up. Every day still, I am reminded of the sacrifices you made so that me and my sister could have a chance at a good life. When Dad was shipped overseas with the Marine Corps, you stepped up and took a part-time job so we could eat. You hand made our clothes on a sewing machine, and when a neighbor boy was beating up a smaller child, you stepped in and knocked him on his butt. You taught me about strength and courage during hard times, and you taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice. I thank you and I love you.

Now that my Mom is gone, I find myself looking at my wife in a new light. I notice she has a lot of the same traits. She loves to do for others, take care of others, and sacrifice her own wants and needs for others. She is strong but gentle, passionate yet compassionate, smart and humble all at the same time. So yesterday, I made it a point to thank her for all she does. I tried to explain to her why she is such an amazing Mom. It starts with how much our kids and grandkids love her, but it goes much deeper. She lives her faith and sets a bold example for everyone around her. Not only has she done a great job of taking care of me, our four kids, and our seven grandkids, she also donates tons of time to help foster children as well. She is a tireless advocate for doing what is right, she won’t take crap from anyone, and I’ve never seen her back down from a fight. She truly exemplifies love and sacrifice every day by fighting for those less fortunate.

And that got me thinking… Having a hard working Mother that taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice, helped me to find a hard working wife who shares those same wonderful traits. I definitely received a double blessing there, but wait… hang on a minute… I’ve been writing this for way too long and I need to get off my butt and go get some chores done, you know, cause its Mother’s Day!

Mama...I donut know what I would do without you!

A Mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go.

~ Anonymous

Things Change

I have been through a lot of adversity in my life, as I am sure you have as well. It is a natural part of being human and sharing this world with so many other people. However, things changed three years ago. When you throw in a three year long worldwide pandemic on top of all the regular problems that life throws at you, things can seem utterly hopeless at times. I admit that I have felt lost, sad, and very angry way too often the past few years.

However, things change. That too is a natural part of life on this earth. I can remember back in 1988 hearing an advertisement on the radio while driving my truck to work. It was a simple 30 second recording by an organization that was asking for volunteers to help erect a new Cross on top of Battle Mountain in San Diego. I answered that call, spent six months putting in hard physical labor to get that project done, and it changed my life dramatically for the better.

Last week, things changed dramatically for me once again. And once again, it was a simple 30 second announcement on the radio that I heard. I was driving down Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita, heading off to work on a very cold morning when I heard it. Someone from the Center for Disease Control was announcing, “The federal Covid-19 Public Health Emergency declaration will end on May 11^th, 2023”. They went on to say, “The United States mobilized a historic response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a nation, we now find ourselves at a different point in the pandemic, with more tools and resources than ever before to protect ourselves and our communities.” In addition, the reporter covering the story said that as of May 11^th, 2023, Los Angeles and Orange Counties will no longer be issuing color codes to alert the population as to the severity of the pandemic.

When I heard that message, I immediately pulled over to the side of the road. I know it sounds silly, but that message hit me hard, in a good way. It was like a light bulb was turned back on inside of me, both illuminating me and warming me at the same time. I sat there behind the wheel for a long time thinking, smiling, and then offering up a very heartfelt prayer of thanks to God for always being with us, always caring for us, always loving us. Things had changed once again, but God never does.

The light of God surrounds me.

The love of God enfolds me.

The power of God protects me.

The presence of God watches over me. 

Wherever I am, God is with me.

~ Norman Vincent Peale