Kids Do The Darndest Things

Just about the time you begin to get lost in your grief, the reality of life and family rises to provide continuity in the business of living. There are two recent examples that forced us all to remember those that came before us and among us and imparted their gifts upon all of us in one way or another.

The first is my twin granddaughters' first birthday party last Tuesday. They were totally enthralled with all of the hubbub, wolfing down their steamed rice and tofu, laughing and liking the reflections off of their shiny Mylar balloons.

Great Grandpa was beaming from ear to ear and Grandpa enjoyed showing of Kaelee's birthday hat, watching her look like "Who's the guy with the beard wearing my hat?" Then came the obliteration of the birthday cupcakes...classic. It was the girls' first feast of sugar and, if their faces were an indicator, loved it. It was a great party!

Next on the list was Daughter #2 being chosen as the 2015 Young Alumna of the Year for Seattle Pacific University. She and another senior alumna are being honored at a luncheon during the Homecoming Festivities on Feb. 7th. Her Grandpa and I will be among the honored guests at her table (I didn't know that until today).

Now I have to bone up on which fork to stab the salad and the chicken with. I doubt that it would be permissible to pull out my Buck knife to cut the meat, but those flimsy little knives they roll up in your napkin makes diggin' into your meal harder. I guess jeans are out of the question, too. It would be in poor taste to mortify the daughter among all the high-podunks. I think the Father and son will have a good time. At least I can harass my son-in-law and show him how his new family really acts in public!

Count on the kids to lift your spirits...and they don't even realize it!

Gary

Starting Over

Here we sit; a new year staring us in the face with everyone holding a secret desire hoping for better things to come, even if last year was good for them. Everyone stands around the roulette table of life looking for the big win. No one is 100% satisfied with their current circumstances...a little more would always be acceptable, whatever that "more" is.

The interesting thing to me is that in the whole scheme of life, a cycle of the earth around the sun has little to do with much of anything, yet we start a new year with hope and celebration for better times to come. For some waking up and breathing is considered a blessing. For others it is a curse. Still others are released to their Creator and don't have to worry about any of this whoopdedoo at all anymore and the newborns get to pick up the torch and try to make it through more New Years to come.

Whatever your lot is in life, I hope you have the opportunity to make others' better in the coming years while you're with us before it's your turn to hand off the baton.

Gary