Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Falling in Love
The first time I saw her I fell in love with her dark straight hair and voice. I thought she was the most beautiful miracle God had ever created. Her hair soon fell out. Today, twenty-eight years later, her hair is lighter and curly. The sound of her voice still makes me love her.
Five years ago I gave her away to another man. She is my first child and a wonderful daughter. I don't ever regret giving her to her husband. He is a wonderful man and in a number of ways a better person than I am. I guess I did my job well as a father and a man, because she chose a good husband. He loves her like I did, and he does everything to treat her well.
Actually, I love her more today than that day in the hospital twenty-eight short years ago. She fascinates me with her sense of humor and the way she uses words. She is the one who said I was a Yoda. She listened to those Yoda stories and learned. She has a heart that exceeds her small body. The voice can be much larger than the body, but that is the way she lives life. A friend describes her as 'a chocolate covered espresso bean...sweet on the outside and full of energy." As a baby sitting in the high chair, she would fall asleep into her food. Rooms light up when she walks into them, but libraries would close if she ever stopped reading.
I admire her closeness with her sister. They are best friends. She has helped her mom and me point the way for her sister. She trys the same with the youngest her brother.
She has a talent for making elders comfortable. I think it is the way her eyes grow wide as she listens intently to them. Every time her eyes are wide while I talk I wonder if I am one of those 'old elders'.
On your birthday, Paula, I have a wish for you. I hope when you are a parent you have a child as wonderful as you.
Five years ago I gave her away to another man. She is my first child and a wonderful daughter. I don't ever regret giving her to her husband. He is a wonderful man and in a number of ways a better person than I am. I guess I did my job well as a father and a man, because she chose a good husband. He loves her like I did, and he does everything to treat her well.
Actually, I love her more today than that day in the hospital twenty-eight short years ago. She fascinates me with her sense of humor and the way she uses words. She is the one who said I was a Yoda. She listened to those Yoda stories and learned. She has a heart that exceeds her small body. The voice can be much larger than the body, but that is the way she lives life. A friend describes her as 'a chocolate covered espresso bean...sweet on the outside and full of energy." As a baby sitting in the high chair, she would fall asleep into her food. Rooms light up when she walks into them, but libraries would close if she ever stopped reading.
I admire her closeness with her sister. They are best friends. She has helped her mom and me point the way for her sister. She trys the same with the youngest her brother.
She has a talent for making elders comfortable. I think it is the way her eyes grow wide as she listens intently to them. Every time her eyes are wide while I talk I wonder if I am one of those 'old elders'.
On your birthday, Paula, I have a wish for you. I hope when you are a parent you have a child as wonderful as you.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Brother Al's Birthday
Today, August 7th, is my brother Al's birthday. He is younger than me by 26 months. There is very little I can remember of life without him. It seems he was always in my life and by my side. So much so that he says he did not learn to talk until he was five. If asked his name, he would look at me, and I would answer. We have complementary personalities. He says I was a protective older brother. I don't believe I was as protective as I could have been. I do feel regret about the times I was not. This is not about protecting younger siblings.
Five years ago this coming November Al was operated on for cancer in his left bicep. Cancers of the muscle are very rare. The good news is he did not lose his arm and is in remission. For me, I began to fear I would have to face life without my brother Al.
Al is one of those 'good guys'. He is a rarity among men. He does not hurt others. He built a passive solar home in the Arizona desert. He uses no air conditioning. He is easy going and soft spoken. I can not remember a time he lost his temper. Children love him. He is a great uncle and a great father. I am a more cautious, aggressive and materialistic person. I use Al as an example of how life is when you are a kind and gentle person. I admire him. I hope I never have to live life without my brother Al. I hope the world produces more people like Al. Happy birthday Al and many more.
Five years ago this coming November Al was operated on for cancer in his left bicep. Cancers of the muscle are very rare. The good news is he did not lose his arm and is in remission. For me, I began to fear I would have to face life without my brother Al.
Al is one of those 'good guys'. He is a rarity among men. He does not hurt others. He built a passive solar home in the Arizona desert. He uses no air conditioning. He is easy going and soft spoken. I can not remember a time he lost his temper. Children love him. He is a great uncle and a great father. I am a more cautious, aggressive and materialistic person. I use Al as an example of how life is when you are a kind and gentle person. I admire him. I hope I never have to live life without my brother Al. I hope the world produces more people like Al. Happy birthday Al and many more.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Survivor Earth
What if we had a reality TV show called "Survivor Earth" and each country was represented. Would the other countries vote the United States off the earth or would the United States be so good it survived to the end. Where would Greece, Italy, France(don't get me started on the French again), Great Britain, Ethiopia, Turkey etc finish? What basis would the countries use to make their decisions? If you say energy efficiency than we lose immediately. Of course, if Donald Trump had a 'You're Fired' version for countries, the United States might do better. How would countries like New Zealand and Canada fare against Mr. Trump? Where would we all go if we were voted off earth?
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Vacations
Today is a day back from vacation. So many people write about the first day back it would be tiresome to read about how I need caffinated venti size cups to stay awake. I think vacations are a gift from god. We relax. Say the hell with our diet. Play and do the fun things we like to do. It is like god saying this is what heaven will be like. Even the people we meet are relaxed and easy going, unless you take a vacation in France. Actually vacationing in France is like god saying you haven't been good enough this year. Maybe I am mixing my Santa Claus and god medafors. By the way why do Americans get two weeks vacation a year and the french get five or more? Is god giving us Americans a message?
