Look for me at www.SoldOnNola.com.... my eldest daughter keeps inspiring me to grow.
Thanks Grits!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saying, "Good Bye" is not easy
Saying, "Good Bye" is not easy. Over the past few years, we have had to say good bye too many times.
In 2000, Megan had to say goodbye to her mom. About 5 years ago, we said good bye to one of my uncles. In 1 1/2 months, April 23rd, we will have the 4th anniversary of saying good bye to my dad. Last spring, on the day of the opening of baseball, we said goodbye to my uncle Rob. All of these good byes were caused by cancer.
This past summer, we said good bye to Richmond, VA and all the friends who have meant so much to us over the past 25 years.
Yesterday, Megan had to say good bye to Meli. Meli, Hawaiian for Honey, was a honey colored retriever and lab mix, my Megan has owned since she lived in Hawaii over 11 years ago. Once again, cancer is the culprit of plucking a loved one from this world.
Meli is survived by her brother, Mac, short for Macadamia Nut.
Saying good bye is always tough.
Saying good bye also causes one to stop and reflect on what is important. Traditionally, it causes me to once again to stop the rat race that seems to consume my life and refocus on family and family values. Those that know me, know I am not a pet owner... I married a pet owner.
The reason I am not a pet owner is because I prefer to spend my time doing what I want with my family, when I want with my family, and for as long as I want with my family. I consider pets as an inconvenience to what I am doing or want to do.
I love animals and understand I am too selfish with my time and energy to be a good pet owner.
This was still a tough good bye because ... I am married to a pet owner.
I wish Megan the best during her time of grief. Jack's immediate response was "I have Mac and he doesn't have any boo-boos". I hope Mac enjoys and can handle the extra attention!
Sleep well and play pain-free Meli.
In 2000, Megan had to say goodbye to her mom. About 5 years ago, we said good bye to one of my uncles. In 1 1/2 months, April 23rd, we will have the 4th anniversary of saying good bye to my dad. Last spring, on the day of the opening of baseball, we said goodbye to my uncle Rob. All of these good byes were caused by cancer.
This past summer, we said good bye to Richmond, VA and all the friends who have meant so much to us over the past 25 years.
Yesterday, Megan had to say good bye to Meli. Meli, Hawaiian for Honey, was a honey colored retriever and lab mix, my Megan has owned since she lived in Hawaii over 11 years ago. Once again, cancer is the culprit of plucking a loved one from this world.
Meli is survived by her brother, Mac, short for Macadamia Nut.
Saying good bye is always tough.
Saying good bye also causes one to stop and reflect on what is important. Traditionally, it causes me to once again to stop the rat race that seems to consume my life and refocus on family and family values. Those that know me, know I am not a pet owner... I married a pet owner.
The reason I am not a pet owner is because I prefer to spend my time doing what I want with my family, when I want with my family, and for as long as I want with my family. I consider pets as an inconvenience to what I am doing or want to do.
I love animals and understand I am too selfish with my time and energy to be a good pet owner.
This was still a tough good bye because ... I am married to a pet owner.
I wish Megan the best during her time of grief. Jack's immediate response was "I have Mac and he doesn't have any boo-boos". I hope Mac enjoys and can handle the extra attention!
Sleep well and play pain-free Meli.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Relocation has been part of my past
Megan, Jack and I relocated to New Orleans this past summer and I very quickly have tried to "fit in" to this new lifestyle as relocation has been part of my life.
Born in 59 in Cincinnati, relocated to Atlanta in 1960, moved to Chicago in time for nursery school, Dallas for 1st grade, and onto Delaware for middle school and high school, being graduated from Archmere Academy in 1978.
I left Delaware for Virginia in 1978 and never returned from Norfolk to reside in Delaware again. Attending Old Dominion University, I stayed year round and ran the University Housing as a hotel in the summers.
Upon graduation, I started relocating again. Nashville, TN where Gretchen was born in 1981. Onto Greeley, Co then Shreveport, Louisiana then San Antonio, TX followed by Richardson, TX and Houston, TX and back t0 Colorado where Ashley was born in 1985. Then a return to Virginia in Midlothian in 1986 where Niki joined this world in 1988.
Jack joined this world in July 2008. Jack's mommy is a New Orleans gal and in July 2011, I relocated again to New Orleans, LA to bring Megan home and raise our son around extended family.
My family is spread around with my mom and sister in Delaware, one brother in PA and another in TX. My daughters are all grown and live in FL, DC and VA respectively. Meanwhile, my wife and son are surrounded by her family where they have always been.
We live 1 1/2 blocks from my father in law, where he lives less than a 1/2 mile from where Sunday Family gathering have been held for decades ;-)
Family is important. It is one of the most important things in life, right after God! I am hoping my son grows up surrounded by family. Paw Paw and Ree just a block and a half away. Uncle Kerry & Aunt Ellen are even closer. Aunt Molly and Uncle Patrick and Aunt Melissa all live within 3 blocks of here. Uncle Doug & Aunt Gwen live 3 miles from here. Aunt Bee Bee visits New Orleans several times a year.
And, with New Orleans being a destination for many vacations for many people, I hope we see my girls often.
Family is important. My wife and son are home and surrounded by her family. I hope my relocation HAS been part of my PAST ;-)
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