So often my little blogs are to remember people or things and occasionally I write because I have been inspired. This would be one of those times. Let me tell you about this woman.
This is a woman who goes through life with an open heart. This may seem like a cliché but I assure you it is the absolute truth about this woman. You see, she has worked a number of years in service to the United Methodist Church. Most times she is in the background and frankly, she really prefers it that way. While she works in the background assisting and nurturing each year a new group of aspiring pastors. She does it because she loves what she does and she really loves being connected to so many impressive Christian leaders to come. You may be saying well big deal, what’s so special about that?
This weekend we were privileged, and I mean that in the most sincere way, to sit on our sofa together and watch another annual conference for the UMC. I did more than watch the conference. I watched her. She named every aspiring candidate by their full name before the Bishop would. She could tell me details about these special people that I would venture even some family members would not remember. While this is inspiring alone there is another aspect of this process I watched. I watched Linda’s eyes light up with each ordination and I watched tears of joy flow from her during this process that really put me in awe.
We go to our jobs day by day and push through and once in a while might experience some sort of satisfaction in some way but whenever I watch Linda during one of these conferences I have pangs of envy that while not healthy are real. I will likely never experience what she seems to experience but I am at least the beneficiary of second hand satisfaction.
She may not be there many more conventions but I know that when that chapter ends she will surely miss those intense moments. I know I will. I say this not to brag on her, although I am happy to do that, I say this because I have never been more proud of anyone and more inspired by anyone in my life. She is not a Methodist but you would not know that by the pride she shows in her candidates that she helped through their process. I just wanted to get this out. The really neat thing is long when Linda and I have gone to our glory, there will be a large flock of shepherds in the United Methodist Church that I know for sure will never forget her.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
Some Past Remembrances
I've been thinking lately, and yes I know that’s a problem of itself, about just where we are now as a society and where we have come from in my life. My life is but a speck on humanity but it is mine none the less so just come along for the ride.
I’m trying to remember all of the technological advances in my lifetime and frankly it is too much to just spout off here but I want to at least mention the highlights. When I was a little boy I ran around my old hometown of Lyon Mountain, NY free as a bird. My only stress was to try and determine how many bumble bees I could catch in my jar and lid. I remember strolling through the woods and on paths and picking wild blueberries and strawberries and feasting on them. I remember eating rhubarb right out of the ground. I remember picking and eating apples until my stomach hurt. I remember my one speed bike, yes I said ONE speed….just frittering the hours away riding to Standish or Chateauguay Lake and exploring all nature had to offer and it had a lot. I think as an adult I have a keener appreciation for nature than even children these days do and that is sad.
The reason I digressed to my childhood is it has a real connection to who I am now and it also has a bearing on who kids are now and where they are headed. There were no buttons to push for me as a child….no phones to carry around. I was not instantly connected to everyone on the planet. My world was what was around me and I really think it was a better world because I think people of my generation had a stronger connection to people around them and to the things around them. Children these days can’t interact with nature and are getting more disconnected from even other people. This is what is, in my opinion, heading us down a path that will be hard to change. Now I know not all children are as I describe but I also know it is a disturbingly large number. I almost wish there was a way to hit the reset button on many of our so called technological advances and get back to basics. Let’s face it…we come into this world with nothing and we leave this world with the same thing. No cell phone service in heaven….at least I hope not!
OK, so we have the cell phone now. I remember having a party line phone as a child where three or four houses shared the same line. Can you imagine that? I remember washers that had rollers that you would run your clothes through to get the water out of the clothes. When I was a child our dryer was a line outside. Electric dryers were thought to be this incredible advancement that only well off folks could afford. Everything that was cooked was cooked on a stove. Microwaves were not even something thought about and there were no shortcuts for dinner. Everything took time to make. Even thinking about ceiling fans and how they were not something much thought about. We were just fortunate to have a light in every room. Does anyone other than me remember the first color TV? No I am talking about the FIRST color TV. It was a black and white TV with a color filter you would put over the screen. It was color albeit one color. Does anyone remember the famous test pattern in the morning before the stations would sign on? For some reason I remember an Indian on that test pattern….surely would not be allowed today.
Let’s talk lawn mowers. The first lawn mower in my recollection was the type with the cylindrical cutting carriage that would rotate as you pushed it. It actually did a pretty fabulous job except it actually took EFFORT to do it. Then the motorized versions burst on the scene. The kind that had a sprocket on top you had to wind the rope around and yank. You could be doing a lot of that process if you had a mower that took it’s time starting.
Let’s go back to TV a moment. No cable TV when I was a crumb cruncher. We really thought we were living high on the hog (sorry to the PETA people for that reference) when my Dad purchased a revolving outdoor antenna that could be controlled INDOORS without having to walk out in a storm and rotate it. What an advancement. It meant you could improve reception on those three channels you were lucky to get.
Does anyone here reading this right now know what a brook trout tastes like? I used to go out and fish the brooks around Lyon Mountain and I’m telling you those little boogers were tasty. OK I am talking about the fish still Jim.
Thinking about computers and there is really nothing to compare them to in my childhood. It was just not thought about much. Looking up at my printer(s) and thinking about those days when printers didn’t exist. I do remember the old copy machines that smelled all through the halls of school when they would fire up that beastly machine which roared like an airplane when it was in operation. Remember carbon paper and how that was the only alternative for making duplicates of anything? I remember when showers were considered a luxury and bath tubs were it.
There are certainly many more things from our past that make us ponder where we are at now but those are several that come to mind. Feel free to share more!
I’m trying to remember all of the technological advances in my lifetime and frankly it is too much to just spout off here but I want to at least mention the highlights. When I was a little boy I ran around my old hometown of Lyon Mountain, NY free as a bird. My only stress was to try and determine how many bumble bees I could catch in my jar and lid. I remember strolling through the woods and on paths and picking wild blueberries and strawberries and feasting on them. I remember eating rhubarb right out of the ground. I remember picking and eating apples until my stomach hurt. I remember my one speed bike, yes I said ONE speed….just frittering the hours away riding to Standish or Chateauguay Lake and exploring all nature had to offer and it had a lot. I think as an adult I have a keener appreciation for nature than even children these days do and that is sad.
The reason I digressed to my childhood is it has a real connection to who I am now and it also has a bearing on who kids are now and where they are headed. There were no buttons to push for me as a child….no phones to carry around. I was not instantly connected to everyone on the planet. My world was what was around me and I really think it was a better world because I think people of my generation had a stronger connection to people around them and to the things around them. Children these days can’t interact with nature and are getting more disconnected from even other people. This is what is, in my opinion, heading us down a path that will be hard to change. Now I know not all children are as I describe but I also know it is a disturbingly large number. I almost wish there was a way to hit the reset button on many of our so called technological advances and get back to basics. Let’s face it…we come into this world with nothing and we leave this world with the same thing. No cell phone service in heaven….at least I hope not!
OK, so we have the cell phone now. I remember having a party line phone as a child where three or four houses shared the same line. Can you imagine that? I remember washers that had rollers that you would run your clothes through to get the water out of the clothes. When I was a child our dryer was a line outside. Electric dryers were thought to be this incredible advancement that only well off folks could afford. Everything that was cooked was cooked on a stove. Microwaves were not even something thought about and there were no shortcuts for dinner. Everything took time to make. Even thinking about ceiling fans and how they were not something much thought about. We were just fortunate to have a light in every room. Does anyone other than me remember the first color TV? No I am talking about the FIRST color TV. It was a black and white TV with a color filter you would put over the screen. It was color albeit one color. Does anyone remember the famous test pattern in the morning before the stations would sign on? For some reason I remember an Indian on that test pattern….surely would not be allowed today.
Let’s talk lawn mowers. The first lawn mower in my recollection was the type with the cylindrical cutting carriage that would rotate as you pushed it. It actually did a pretty fabulous job except it actually took EFFORT to do it. Then the motorized versions burst on the scene. The kind that had a sprocket on top you had to wind the rope around and yank. You could be doing a lot of that process if you had a mower that took it’s time starting.
Let’s go back to TV a moment. No cable TV when I was a crumb cruncher. We really thought we were living high on the hog (sorry to the PETA people for that reference) when my Dad purchased a revolving outdoor antenna that could be controlled INDOORS without having to walk out in a storm and rotate it. What an advancement. It meant you could improve reception on those three channels you were lucky to get.
Does anyone here reading this right now know what a brook trout tastes like? I used to go out and fish the brooks around Lyon Mountain and I’m telling you those little boogers were tasty. OK I am talking about the fish still Jim.
Thinking about computers and there is really nothing to compare them to in my childhood. It was just not thought about much. Looking up at my printer(s) and thinking about those days when printers didn’t exist. I do remember the old copy machines that smelled all through the halls of school when they would fire up that beastly machine which roared like an airplane when it was in operation. Remember carbon paper and how that was the only alternative for making duplicates of anything? I remember when showers were considered a luxury and bath tubs were it.
There are certainly many more things from our past that make us ponder where we are at now but those are several that come to mind. Feel free to share more!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Be Thankful
Life’s little curve balls can sometimes be more like a fastball or a knuckle ball. Everything seems to be humming along….you are in complete control of your destiny (biggest lie on the planet, by the way) and then something unexpected hits you right between the eyes. This happened to my dear wife a few months back. For those of you who have ever been the recipient of pancreatitis there really needs no explanation about the pain and enduring effects. For those who have not, you should kneel down and thank the Lord and pray it never happens to you or to someone you love. Linda pushed through it with her same determination even though this has been probably her biggest health challenge to date which, by the way, includes cancer. It’s easy to have strong emotional feelings and angst about the big “C” but pancreatitis? Really?? Really.
Now she is on the mend although it is a long process of rebuilding strength to do everyday tasks as well as being able to eat a somewhat normal diet. Things you all take for granted, i.e. getting out of bed, taking a shower, brushing your teeth…….just for starters. You get the idea. This was a curve ball that no one would ever see coming and our over stressed healthcare system begins to show its stress when something like this happens and all you want is answers. If you’ve not needed answers medically in the past 6 months you don’t know what I mean but you will, at some point find out.
I've had a reoccurring message in my blog over the years and it really is this….be thankful for what you have and be mindful that it can change in an instant. My Dad always had a way of putting things very succinctly and on this he would say, “ No matter how good things get, don’t forget how bad they can be and no matter how bad things get, don’t forget how good they can be.” It sounds simplistic but it really should be a perspective we all have. Don’t just whine and complain about what you don’t have but instead be very thankful for ALL of your blessings. We all tend to lose sight of this in our busy lives until one day something like pancreatitis brings it home.
It is interesting that I started writing this about two weeks ago and then things got in the way so I shelved it and came back to it this morning and it still rings true. I look at Facebook and am continually amazed about how so many people complain about this or that but never just relish what they have. These are the same people that say the news is always negative and we never hear anything positive. Perhaps the positivity we seek should begin at home. Just a thought….
Now she is on the mend although it is a long process of rebuilding strength to do everyday tasks as well as being able to eat a somewhat normal diet. Things you all take for granted, i.e. getting out of bed, taking a shower, brushing your teeth…….just for starters. You get the idea. This was a curve ball that no one would ever see coming and our over stressed healthcare system begins to show its stress when something like this happens and all you want is answers. If you’ve not needed answers medically in the past 6 months you don’t know what I mean but you will, at some point find out.
I've had a reoccurring message in my blog over the years and it really is this….be thankful for what you have and be mindful that it can change in an instant. My Dad always had a way of putting things very succinctly and on this he would say, “ No matter how good things get, don’t forget how bad they can be and no matter how bad things get, don’t forget how good they can be.” It sounds simplistic but it really should be a perspective we all have. Don’t just whine and complain about what you don’t have but instead be very thankful for ALL of your blessings. We all tend to lose sight of this in our busy lives until one day something like pancreatitis brings it home.
It is interesting that I started writing this about two weeks ago and then things got in the way so I shelved it and came back to it this morning and it still rings true. I look at Facebook and am continually amazed about how so many people complain about this or that but never just relish what they have. These are the same people that say the news is always negative and we never hear anything positive. Perhaps the positivity we seek should begin at home. Just a thought….
Thursday, April 24, 2014
A Little About Tom
So there is this man I have been working with at my new position by the name of Tom. Tom is retiring tomorrow and going to enjoy his new life travelling and doing what he wants when he wants. I’m certain everyone is envious to some extent but this was not given to Tom. Tom has worked hard all his life to provide for himself and his family. He has many experiences in his past jobs as well as his current one and if you've spent even minutes with Tom you've heard some of them.
Tom is one of these people that although I've only known since February, I feel like I’ve known him all my life. That said Tom is not afraid to tell it like it is and I think that is one of the quality things about him I admire so much. Love him or hate him you will never have a question about where he stands on most anything from doctors to medicine to food to music (a lot of 50’s and I mean a lot) and the list goes on and on.
So to wrap this little tribute up I feel I should say one more thing. The field I am in I have been in for many years but the sales aspect is somewhat new to me. Tom has taught me more in just 2 months in sales on a practical level than anyone I've met. If I succeed, which I plan on doing, it can be directly related to this guy’s help. So Tom, I wish you God’s speed and only the best in your next step in life. You truly deserve to be right where you are and to now enjoy your freedom. (as long as Karen says it’s ok)
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Dear Linda.....
Dear Linda,
Well you are on the mend and won’t likely read this for several days but what happened just emphasizes in my mind how you are so important to me. Until a challenge comes along, I don’t think we always know how we will react or how we will cope. Out of suffering comes great revelations about a person’s character and you were no different through all of this. You handled these challenges with grace and yes perhaps a little anxiety at times but even at your lowest point, the humor and sparkle never left those eyes.
During the cancer period, you were strong, had a great attitude that it was not going to beat you and just pushed through it with a smile, much more of a smile than I could muster I must add. That was difficult for me in various ways but even this recent health challenge was different. As much as we think we know God’s plan, or at least have an impact on his plan, an event like this taught me once again, that every moment is precious. (and fleeting) The last minute of your life you took to read this you cannot get back. While that certainly cannot be disputed, the older I get the more I realize how finite those minutes are or can be. The reason the statement, “youth is wasted on the young” is the very point I am trying to make. In our youth time is but a vehicle to get us from one place to the next. When we get older we realize how precious that vehicle really is and how blessed we are to have enough time in this world to make a difference.
So all indications are you will be getting out of the hospital soon. This event cemented in stone how much you mean to me and how important it is that we go on together for years to come to make the very most of those minutes we each have left in this world. Money and things are temporary….love, although not as popular a concept these days, is forever. I am blessed to have my best friend be by my side. Events like this drive the point home.
So I am very happy to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel with your recent malady and, as I always do, wait in eager anticipation of your return home. One more thing…you should know, as I’m sure you do, that you have an extended Facebook network of friends and family who have been praying for you since this began. Along with Facebook, you have a huge contingency of Methodists and Episcopalians that are also praying for you and helping you through this. All of these people only strengthen my resolve and all of the prayers truly lift you up above these challenges. So be as grateful as I am that these people both near and far have been with you every step of the way!
My name may be Peter but YOU are truly my rock.
During the cancer period, you were strong, had a great attitude that it was not going to beat you and just pushed through it with a smile, much more of a smile than I could muster I must add. That was difficult for me in various ways but even this recent health challenge was different. As much as we think we know God’s plan, or at least have an impact on his plan, an event like this taught me once again, that every moment is precious. (and fleeting) The last minute of your life you took to read this you cannot get back. While that certainly cannot be disputed, the older I get the more I realize how finite those minutes are or can be. The reason the statement, “youth is wasted on the young” is the very point I am trying to make. In our youth time is but a vehicle to get us from one place to the next. When we get older we realize how precious that vehicle really is and how blessed we are to have enough time in this world to make a difference.
So all indications are you will be getting out of the hospital soon. This event cemented in stone how much you mean to me and how important it is that we go on together for years to come to make the very most of those minutes we each have left in this world. Money and things are temporary….love, although not as popular a concept these days, is forever. I am blessed to have my best friend be by my side. Events like this drive the point home.
So I am very happy to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel with your recent malady and, as I always do, wait in eager anticipation of your return home. One more thing…you should know, as I’m sure you do, that you have an extended Facebook network of friends and family who have been praying for you since this began. Along with Facebook, you have a huge contingency of Methodists and Episcopalians that are also praying for you and helping you through this. All of these people only strengthen my resolve and all of the prayers truly lift you up above these challenges. So be as grateful as I am that these people both near and far have been with you every step of the way!
My name may be Peter but YOU are truly my rock.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Youthful Perspective
“Youth is wasted on the young.” I’m not certain who coined that phrase first but it is indeed a cruel irony that as adults we understand that point but as children, no amount of drilling it in our craniums would or will make a difference. I thought I would offer up a little of my own perspective.
Recent events in my life have made me think a little about what the differences are between the so called adult way of thinking and the little adults way of thinking. I think it boils down to one evil word for both children and adults; consequences. We make decisions every day that have both intended and unintended consequences. I would submit that children really don’t make the distinction and we as adults should be there to guide them. That being said I would have to also say that many children do a much better job!
So if consequences exist no matter what the age where does experience fit in as far as helping our children. It’s quite simple….anything they are trying to do that may be harmful was probably already performed by the adults in their life. But where children have the advantage is having, and I say this in hope, a backstop of an adult to temper the consequences somewhat. What children will never understand is that as adults our decisions become our own and we have nowhere to look but in the mirror as to the responsibility of said decisions. Children who are fortunate enough to have adult supervision have the real blessing of not being entirely responsible as far as our society as a whole. Yes we try to make them accountable and understand the consequences of bad decisions but oftentimes those consequences and subsequent punishments are kept within the family. We are basically judge and jury. They many times see it as unfair judgment until, of course, they become adults and then it all comes in to focus.
I would state that these are my opinions and I realize some may disagree and that’s fine, you can deal with the consequences of that disagreement. (or not) I have to say that one of the most satisfying things in my lifetime is to see my offspring finally understand why they were held to a certain yardstick of behavior and how children of today measure up. (or don’t) So keep the dialogue open and free with your children because at some point in your life, hopefully, you will have the pleasure of watching the light bulb come on in their eyes of how much your love and support made them who they are and made them think the way they think.
Recent events in my life have made me think a little about what the differences are between the so called adult way of thinking and the little adults way of thinking. I think it boils down to one evil word for both children and adults; consequences. We make decisions every day that have both intended and unintended consequences. I would submit that children really don’t make the distinction and we as adults should be there to guide them. That being said I would have to also say that many children do a much better job!
So if consequences exist no matter what the age where does experience fit in as far as helping our children. It’s quite simple….anything they are trying to do that may be harmful was probably already performed by the adults in their life. But where children have the advantage is having, and I say this in hope, a backstop of an adult to temper the consequences somewhat. What children will never understand is that as adults our decisions become our own and we have nowhere to look but in the mirror as to the responsibility of said decisions. Children who are fortunate enough to have adult supervision have the real blessing of not being entirely responsible as far as our society as a whole. Yes we try to make them accountable and understand the consequences of bad decisions but oftentimes those consequences and subsequent punishments are kept within the family. We are basically judge and jury. They many times see it as unfair judgment until, of course, they become adults and then it all comes in to focus.
I would state that these are my opinions and I realize some may disagree and that’s fine, you can deal with the consequences of that disagreement. (or not) I have to say that one of the most satisfying things in my lifetime is to see my offspring finally understand why they were held to a certain yardstick of behavior and how children of today measure up. (or don’t) So keep the dialogue open and free with your children because at some point in your life, hopefully, you will have the pleasure of watching the light bulb come on in their eyes of how much your love and support made them who they are and made them think the way they think.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
A Tribute To Karen
I feel compelled to write a little entry in memory of my late wife Karen who passed away on January 24th, 1999 or just over 15 years ago. I am twice blessed to have found Linda since then and really have no words to convey how fortunate I am to be able to include each of them as soul-mates but I wanted to write this about Karen.
Our daughter Marlee is one of the things that really exemplify Karen best. All of the things Karen was are still in Marlee. She was full of life and you could not smile when she smiled. She was quite dramatic in many aspects of her life. (Marlee) She was extremely intelligent and seemed to effortlessly display it although she really couldn’t change a flat tire. (Marlee) Again, I was blessed to have her and although the last year was very difficult for her physically she was always more concerned about everyone else around her. I will never forget when the illness she had was finally diagnosed and I was a wreck and asked her don’t you ever think why me? Her response was why not me? That blew me away at that time and still to this very day I remember it. Her faith was so strong and even got stronger as she travelled the difficult journey of the disease which ultimately took her life so early.
As life moves on we tend to take some things for granted. Karen’s death rocked my world as well as Marlee’s and many others but as I look back now I can only remember the blessings that I had at that time in Karen and that’s the way memories should be. The good thing is Karen’s memory lives on in Marlee. My guess is I see it a lot when Marlee even has no idea. So I count Marlee as another blessing in that she can remind me of just what her mother was like and why she was special to me then and her memories will be special to me always. If you never met Karen then you missed out. I can only try to convey what she meant to me, her daughter, her family and anyone else whoever had contact with her.
So here’s to you Karen…..you were a great mother, wife, and friend. It was a privilege that I will never take for granted being part of your life. Know that your daughter has gotten the best guidance and care and love from me, Linda and everyone else around her since the Lord took you home. Eventually I know we will all be together but for now we should take time every now and then to take stock in what we had….what we have…and how blessed we all are in this world!
Our daughter Marlee is one of the things that really exemplify Karen best. All of the things Karen was are still in Marlee. She was full of life and you could not smile when she smiled. She was quite dramatic in many aspects of her life. (Marlee) She was extremely intelligent and seemed to effortlessly display it although she really couldn’t change a flat tire. (Marlee) Again, I was blessed to have her and although the last year was very difficult for her physically she was always more concerned about everyone else around her. I will never forget when the illness she had was finally diagnosed and I was a wreck and asked her don’t you ever think why me? Her response was why not me? That blew me away at that time and still to this very day I remember it. Her faith was so strong and even got stronger as she travelled the difficult journey of the disease which ultimately took her life so early.
As life moves on we tend to take some things for granted. Karen’s death rocked my world as well as Marlee’s and many others but as I look back now I can only remember the blessings that I had at that time in Karen and that’s the way memories should be. The good thing is Karen’s memory lives on in Marlee. My guess is I see it a lot when Marlee even has no idea. So I count Marlee as another blessing in that she can remind me of just what her mother was like and why she was special to me then and her memories will be special to me always. If you never met Karen then you missed out. I can only try to convey what she meant to me, her daughter, her family and anyone else whoever had contact with her.
So here’s to you Karen…..you were a great mother, wife, and friend. It was a privilege that I will never take for granted being part of your life. Know that your daughter has gotten the best guidance and care and love from me, Linda and everyone else around her since the Lord took you home. Eventually I know we will all be together but for now we should take time every now and then to take stock in what we had….what we have…and how blessed we all are in this world!
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