December 25, 2009—
This Christmas has been a little bit different. While I did design a holiday card, wrote an annual letter, and sent them out to family friends, I did not buy many presents—so there wasn't much wrapping going on here—something I enjoy doing. And I played guitar at the 11:00 P.M. Christmas Eve service at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church. I haven't played at church in many years—so this was like a big present for me from God! I did get to sing "Silent Night" by candlelight last evening—always a highlight of my year.
Before I head off down the road to spend the day with my mother, brother, and his family, I wanted to post a message here for you, in hopes that you might decide to check this Web site. My wish for you this beautiful Christmas Day is this—
May the GOOD LORD's gift of the risen Christ be born again in your heart this Wondrous Christmas Day and every day! A Very Merry Christmas, dear daughter, to you and all of your family and friends! And may you have a Happy and Healthy New Year! Many Bright Blessings!
December 07, 2009—
It has now been eighteen years since we last saw one another. I pray with all of my heart and soul that this next year will bring about some sort of reconciliation between us. Be not afraid. Place your faith in the GOOD LORD that all will be made right!
November 26, 2009—
Today is Thanksgiving Day! I hope that you have a great day planned—and that it will be full of dear friends and family and some great food! I will be heading down to Arlington National Cemetery to visit my Dad in a bit. As is my custom, I sit with him while I arrange flowers. Then I take a long walk. I go back out the entrance, turn north and head for the Memorial Bridge. Once I reach the Potomac River, I turn west on the bike path and head up to Roosevelt Island. Then I turnaround and reverse my steps—a six-mile trek! Upon returning to my Dad's place, I generally sit for about an hour or so. I talk about things that have happened, what my plans are, and how some of his favorite folks are doing. Then I pack up and head home. Arlington National Cemetery is such a special place and I am so proud that my Dad is there!
Since my Mom is off visiting my cousin, Bonnie, and my brother and his family have a house full of visitors, I decided to invite some friends over and try my hand at cooking Thanksgiving dinner. It won't be as good as the dinners my Dad and Mom cooked—but it will be fun to be with friends! After dinner, we'll play some music and have some dessert.
Thanksgiving Day has always been my favorite holiday! I have such wonderful memories of walking into my folks' house and savoring the first aromas of the good things cooking in the kitchen. I hope that you have some special memories of this day, as well!
My wish for you today is that you give thanks for the gift of everything in your life, for the gift of everyone in your life, for the gift of this glorious day, and most of all—for the gift of you! Wishing you the very happiest of Thanksgivings, dear daughter!
October 16, 2009—
It is hard for me to believe that four years have past since my Dad left this earthly plain for the firmament of heaven. I made a pilgrimage down to Arlington National Cemetery this afternoon (Section No. 69, Plot No. 1712), took him some flowers, and sat for a spell—talking to him about all of the things that have happened during the last year. I am always amazed at how much transpires, how much I learn, and how much progress is made over the course of a year's time! I know that my Dad would be pleased and very proud—and that is what keeps me going!
Wish you had been there with me.
August 28, 2009—
My dear Aunt Jean—your Great Aunt Jean—passed away this afternoon after a short battle with colon cancer. Click here to visit my tribute to her (on this Web site).
July 28, 2009—
I received a call from my cousin Craig out in Denver on Sunday evening. He was calling to say that his Mom—my Aunt Jean—was not doing so well. They took her to the hospital several weeks ago where she was diagnosed with colon cancer. According to the doctors, she has only several weeks to several months left to live. She just turned 85 years old in May—so I guess one might expect something like this to happen sooner or later—but it is still difficult news to receive. I hope that you will join me in praying for her and the extended family. I am so sorry that you have not had the chance to meet your Great Aunt Jean. We have always had a lot of fun whenever we have been together and she has always been good to me. May the Good Lord bless her and grant her comfort—
July 04, 2009—
Today would have been my Dad's seventy-eighth birthday! I am going downtown to Nationals Park to watch the Washington Nationals play the Atlanta Braves—something that my Dad would have greatly enjoyed doing! I have a great seat! Should be a tremendous time! After the game, I will take the Metro over to Arlington National Cemetery to spend a of time with my Dad (Section No. 69, Plot No. 1712), and then—perhaps—stay for the fireworks. I hope that you have a wonderful day! What a country!
June 03, 2009—
Your cousin, Samantha, just graduated from Col. Zadok Magruder High School earlier this evening. The ceremony was held at the Comcast Center on the University of Maryland campus. I recalled that my graduation from high school was held at Cole Field House—also on the University of Maryland campus—thirty-five years ago! Samantha will be attending Montgomery College in the fall. I looking forward to seeing where her path in life takes her!
May 29, 2009—
In an hour or so I will sit down to watch Jay Leno's final appearance on the
Tonight Show. I also recall watching Johnny Carson's final appearance on the Tonight Show on May 25, 1992—almost six months after my last visit with you.
In the time since Johnny's departure I have watched each phase of your life go by—elementary school, junior high school, high school, and most recently college. At the end of each phase I told myself that while I did not get to participate in the stage of life that was passing, I still had the possibility of playing some small role in the next stage of your life.
All of your "school stages" are now complete. And while the passing of each stage was painful, it was only a few years that I had missed and I learned to adjust. But there is something about the passage of seventeen years that is a bit more difficult to absorb. You are out of school now. For the first time in my life, I do not know where you are or what you are doing—or for that matter, how you are doing.
For the first time I am having to truly let you go—and it is difficult. I must now place 100.0% of my faith in the GOOD LORD and have confidence that He is taking care of you. I just wanted you to know that.
I still pray that, just like Jay Leno will return in the fall with a new show, maybe somehow, someway you might seek me out and we can begin a new relationship. I will never stop hoping and praying—no matter how many years go by.
Good night, dear daughter!
April 28, 2009—
Your cousin, Melodi, has been accepted into the graduate psychology program at Towson University! I'm not sure whether she is more excited about that or her pending graduation from St. Mary's College of Maryland on Saturday, May 16, 2009! Congraduations to Melodi on both accounts!
February 02–06, 2009—
Thirty years ago this week I was standing on the golden sands of the beach in Kalalau Valley on the Garden Isle of Kaua'i. My parents were living in Pearl Harbor at the time. Having recently graduated from college and not yet secured a job, I took the opportunity to do some traveling (refer to my note of August 08, 2008). My dear friend Bruce traveled to Hawai'i to make the long hike into Kalalau Valley with me—truly a piece of heaven on earth!
Click here to view photographs of my trek to Kalalau Valley. I pray that you are filling your life with equally wondrous journeys! Much love to you!
Click here for an index of special
holiday messages and yearly blogs.
