Month: August 2025

Words to My Son at his Bar Mitzvah

Jack. On this day, I want to say only a couple of words. Really only two. Those words are “Thank you.”
Ok, I’ll say just a few more even though I know you’re probably thinking, Oh God, How long is this going to take.
Now while, I think this is probably the right place to ask God a question, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the answer. I’ll only take a minute.
I want to tell you “thank you” for being born.
Thank you for taking your first steps.
Thank you saying your first words, which if I remember correctly, you told a joke.
Thank you for being such a loving soul to me and your mom and your sister and the rest of your family.
I want to thank you for just being you.
You don’t have to do one more thing in your life to make me love you anymore than I love you right now which is exactly the same amount I loved you the day you were born.
Now while I’m exceptionally proud of your accomplishments and continue to marvel at some of the things you can do when you put your incredible mind to it,
my love for you is unwavering and absolute. 

Thank you Jack for being my son.
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Don’t Blame the Wind

Don’t blame the wind for it blows with no care.
Don’t blame the rocks for the flesh they would tear.
Don’t blame your wings for the strength they must find.
Don’t blame the sun for the eyes it does blind.

Don’t see the course as too long or too sheer.
Don’t see the drop as penance to fear.
Don’t see the ridge as the end of the road.
Don’t see the flowers as a jealousy to goad.

Look to the wind for the lift it provides.
Look to the rocks for the boundary to glide.
Look to your wings for the power they possess.
Look to the sun for the warmth it begets.

Do see the course for a path to reveal.
Do see the drop for motivating appeal.
Do see the ridge as a link in the chain.
Do see the flowers as friends on the way.

Some loops bring you forward
Some swerves set you back.
The journey’s rarely straight lines
We must be ready to tack.

So drink in the sun
Make the toil delight.
Keep beating your wings
And your life will take flight.

FULL OF IT

To be Thankful means to be full of thanks.

I strive to look inward with clear eyes for all there is that makes up my world and to only see the wonderful and unique points of light life has brought me. I struggle not to look outward with green eyes focused on all I don’t have and bemoan the good fortunes and accomplishments of others and covet their things. Perhaps to be Grateful is to be full of Great. I start each day knowing that I can do mighty things mostly by helping others accomplish their goals. I fight small battles not to be tired of trying or too impatient for change as I strive to build teams based on trust and purpose. I endeavor to be positive and concentrate my energy on searching for a path forward one step at a time with good humor and determination. I quell weaker moments where my gaze goes to paths not taken and a possible present that is just vapor. Living a thankful and grateful life is my journey. It’s not always a straight path over smooth ground. It is, however, exactly where I find myself and I’m both monumentally thankful and eternally grateful I am on it.Happy Thanksgiving. May everyday you live be one filled with Thanks and Great.