FiveChildren

This marks Logan's 22nd birthday. I am unsure why but for the first time the date showed up and somewhat surprised me. I am always very aware of March 21st, I know when it will be here and what day of the week it is on. I even get a little grumpy during the week, less so each passing year, but I still notice it. My son was lost to us before he had a chance to meet us. It is, to this day, the worst event in my life. Losing my father was bad, but not nearly as bad as losing a child. His death triggered something very special in my life, a desire to see the Lord. Without his loss, I am unsure if I would've changed the way I did. Yes I was angry, mad at God for taking my son. I was bitter for a very long time, but because of people I met after losing him, I realized there were no real answers coming. I would never fully understand what happened, nor why. I found solace in various books about bad things happening to good people. I grieved deeply at a loss I could not understan...

Recently we had our second scare with Finn our Golden Retriever. Last year he had a tumor removed from his right cheek that was in fact cancerous. Move forward 11 months and suddenly out of nowhere a marble sized bump appears near his lip on the same right cheek. We have been checking him regularly and in fact he had just visited the Vet for his yearly check-up and nothing. Took him in and they recommended surgery to remove it. Once again poor Finn had to endure another visit to the vet that turned into something major. They also called during surgery and said one of his back teeth was bad and needed removal. What do you do at this point? Your dog is family right? I cannot imagine a scenario where I don't do exactly what we did even though the bill was pushing $1000. He is a member of our family, how could I possibly not do everything I can for him. Fast forward to yesterday and the vet called with the result of the pathology was negative. This was a benign tumor, not cancer!...

My wife knows I am not a Valentines sort of person, I rarely acknowledge the day but do remember to ensure she knows how much I love her. In lieu of a card this year (I've been sick and traveling, but those are simply excuses) I am writing this post. You see my wife is the most important person in my life and has been for the past 35 years. She is beautiful, I see the woman I fell for oh those many years ago in her every day. She is so very strong, the strongest woman I know. We have been through many ups and downs in our marriage most so very good that you think how blessed you are each day by God. A few that have dipped into uncharted territory for most couples. She has given me beautiful, smart, and wonderful children, four of which have somehow grown up before our eyes. I really do not know where the time went. One of them who we only share in memories of the lowest point for each of our lives. He lives on in our hearts, and someday we will both see him again. She makes...

So it has been an interesting year and some change since our last election. The person I had hoped would get the nomination did not. Faced with the choice between an evil person (Hillary) and an obnoxious businessman (Trump), it seemed that I was doomed to once again choose between bad and worse. I will say that while I don't always agree with the way he acts or the words he speaks, I do agree with he's been able to accomplished. With the media exposed for what they truly are (hacks who carry the Democratic Party banner), it is somewhat refreshing to see someone who causes them no end of discomfort. My wife sent me this  article that pretty much sums up why Donald Trump may be the President we need. I rarely watch any news these days so my blood pressure has a chance to remain fairly low. The lies and deceit that are told and written to pass as "journalism" are a sad reminder that this country is being divided by those who we once trusted. I check a few blogs, l...

Sometimes it is the little things that make a difference in someones life. Visiting with elderly parents and bringing dinner. Playing a favorite game with them and needling each other (just in fun of course).  Taking down the garbage for someone who has a tough time getting down the stairs of their house, or making sure they have some wine and soda in their fridge since they don't drive as much. Little things matter, and we really don't have any idea how much until someone does something like that for us. A grateful smile, or a hug means so much. In this busy world we sometimes miss out on those queues as we are so busy moving on to the next thing, or next item on our to do list. Take the time to do some small things, not only for others, but for yourself. Doing little things can remove stress from your life as well as that of others. I've found that if I notice an item that needs to be put away, or a service on the car (yes, I still try and do most of the work on my ca...

Philippians 4:8    Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. Sometimes after many years, couples grow apart. They may not realize it, but it happens. You may be further a long on your spiritual walk then your spouse, or the things you once found interesting, you now find annoying. Because of so many things, you don't recognize the signs of a dreary marriage, you just know that you are uncomfortable and or unhappy. Re-discovering your spouse, focusing on their positive aspects instead of dwelling on the negative is one step in avoiding the rejection of your spouse that leads to divorce. Look at the way the differences in the two of you complement each other. I know I am sometimes too loose with money, spending it on the things I choose, my wife...

So in my last post , I mentioned that I have two girls and two boys. You might ask, "How does that add up to the five you have in your profile?" Well it doesn't, you see one thing my father and I have in common (other than a shortage of hair on top of our heads, and the way we walk) is that we have both lost a son. My brother Matthew lived for only a few short hours, after having the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, something they could not see back in 1959. My son Logan Daniel would have been 9 years old in a month. He was stillborn at 33 weeks. It was without a doubt the worst time in my life. I felt enormous guilt, as if I had not been a good enough father, or husband. I struggled with my faith, but ultimately found my bond with God much stronger.  I spent the better part of two years grieving, and along with my wife and three other children, felt a great loss. Even after nine years the pain is still there, but most of the edge has been taken off knowing h...