Probably expecting pictures with that title. 
Been a lot of painful, heartbreaking events in the news lately. The kid in Orlando texting his mom, "I'm going to die" confirmed among the innocent victims murdered. The incredibly heart-wrenching story of the 2 year old at Disney World snagged by an alligator, ripped away from the arms of his dad fighting the gator off. A presidential election process that leaves you wondering about our whole process, not to mention our future. Could go on and on. We all know. Leaves you almost drained in despair.
My dad (and that of @Theophilus) was the most disciplined positive thinker I know. He raised me to always look for the good in people and in things. "Always look for the seed of the equivalent benefit" in every situation, something he himself learned from Napoleon Hill of "Think and Grow Rich" fame. Choose to focus on the positives in people. Whatever is true, noble, right, whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, anything excellent or worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Can still hear his voice preaching that to me on countless occasions when I complained about this or that. In all things, give thanks -- that's another of his favorites.
My dad would have turned 106 next week but he lived to age 99. I had the better part of my whole life to learn a healthy way to both cope and conquer from my father's wisdom. Some guys get lucky.
I'm particularly reflective today because 37 years ago on this date Jeanette was escorted up the long aisle of Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church by her father and there we exchanged these vows we both memorized: "I, Chuck, take you, Jeanette, to be my wedded wife. And I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband; in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live." And for 37 years she's stuck with me and been everything she promised. Some guys get lucky.
I remember when we were engaged older couples coming up to us lovebirds, couples who had been married for decades, telling us that it only gets better. Frankly I found that impossible to fathom. I couldn't feel more in love than I was at the time and on our honeymoon. And actually, there's some truth to that in that the hormones aren't raging as they were back then. But that's hormones. What's changed is the oneness, the intimacy, safety, and security of knowing somebody totally knows you and still loves you, believes in you, and wants to be with you always. Can you believe that? Those old couples were right -- it is better, deeper, richer. Some guys get lucky.
I know it doesn't always work out that way and hasn't for any number of my friends here on RSS. It's kind of amazing it can ever work given all the challenges. Seems a lot of things have to fall the right way to have the kind of marriage I have including a lot of things outside my control. But they have for me. Like I say...
So in spite of the difficult events that leave the heart torn and broken, I'm feeling grateful -- profoundly grateful. I share this here because I'm grateful for all you guys and this outlet of fun and friendship. I'm grateful because my dad taught me to work at being grateful and focusing on the beauty and richness of life and seeing the good in people. And I'm profoundly grateful for my wife and four kids -- all of them genuinely good kids who have made good choices and are living happy, healthy lives themselves. Truly, some guys just get lucky.
Have a great day, my friends!
Been a lot of painful, heartbreaking events in the news lately. The kid in Orlando texting his mom, "I'm going to die" confirmed among the innocent victims murdered. The incredibly heart-wrenching story of the 2 year old at Disney World snagged by an alligator, ripped away from the arms of his dad fighting the gator off. A presidential election process that leaves you wondering about our whole process, not to mention our future. Could go on and on. We all know. Leaves you almost drained in despair.
My dad (and that of @Theophilus) was the most disciplined positive thinker I know. He raised me to always look for the good in people and in things. "Always look for the seed of the equivalent benefit" in every situation, something he himself learned from Napoleon Hill of "Think and Grow Rich" fame. Choose to focus on the positives in people. Whatever is true, noble, right, whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, anything excellent or worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Can still hear his voice preaching that to me on countless occasions when I complained about this or that. In all things, give thanks -- that's another of his favorites.
My dad would have turned 106 next week but he lived to age 99. I had the better part of my whole life to learn a healthy way to both cope and conquer from my father's wisdom. Some guys get lucky.
I'm particularly reflective today because 37 years ago on this date Jeanette was escorted up the long aisle of Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church by her father and there we exchanged these vows we both memorized: "I, Chuck, take you, Jeanette, to be my wedded wife. And I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband; in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live." And for 37 years she's stuck with me and been everything she promised. Some guys get lucky.
I remember when we were engaged older couples coming up to us lovebirds, couples who had been married for decades, telling us that it only gets better. Frankly I found that impossible to fathom. I couldn't feel more in love than I was at the time and on our honeymoon. And actually, there's some truth to that in that the hormones aren't raging as they were back then. But that's hormones. What's changed is the oneness, the intimacy, safety, and security of knowing somebody totally knows you and still loves you, believes in you, and wants to be with you always. Can you believe that? Those old couples were right -- it is better, deeper, richer. Some guys get lucky.
I know it doesn't always work out that way and hasn't for any number of my friends here on RSS. It's kind of amazing it can ever work given all the challenges. Seems a lot of things have to fall the right way to have the kind of marriage I have including a lot of things outside my control. But they have for me. Like I say...
So in spite of the difficult events that leave the heart torn and broken, I'm feeling grateful -- profoundly grateful. I share this here because I'm grateful for all you guys and this outlet of fun and friendship. I'm grateful because my dad taught me to work at being grateful and focusing on the beauty and richness of life and seeing the good in people. And I'm profoundly grateful for my wife and four kids -- all of them genuinely good kids who have made good choices and are living happy, healthy lives themselves. Truly, some guys just get lucky.
Have a great day, my friends!
