Thursday, November 29, 2007

What's Most Important In Life

Honestly. I hate these things.

This is one of those e-mail messages that gets forwarded and forwarded and forwarded... it’s almost like a virus. This particular one arrived from a friend the other day... and it actually struck a chord with me.

I think it was something she knew I needed to hear right now... in the midst of some of the drama in my life.

It’s worth the time to read. You’ll understand.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

A Young Man Learns What Is Most Important In Life From the Man Next Door


It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old news reel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture... Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mail box "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was... my time."

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you have trust, sooner or later, you will get it... or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone you don't even know exists loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

To everyone I sent this to, "Thanks for your time.”

Thursday, November 22, 2007

2007 NLGJA Convention

What a great time! More than 600 LGBT journalists converged on San Diego in August for a great weekend of conventioneering and sightseeing. San Diego is such a fun town! And the weather rocks! Here are some of the photos...

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Halloweekends

Cedar Point imported an outstanding Grand Marshal for its Halloweekends parade! Ghouls and gobblins (and a giant Rock Monster) wandered through the park giving all the guests a good scare! Happy Halloween!

Friday, August 10, 2007

The Michigan Weekend

What an incredible time! We spent the entire weekend in the Michigan boonies... nothing but clear skies, a great campfire, good friends and fabulous food. Who could ask for anything more?



The river rafting was a blast... even if the water was REALLY low. There were a few injuries... but nothing life-threatening.

Looking forward to doing it all again!

David
Lori
Sara
Jeff
Don
Marshall
and Michael

Monday, July 23, 2007

Inspiration... 100 Pounds at a Time

We met a man today who makes losing a few pounds look like no big deal.

Don Houseman was 721 pounds.

He had to be rolled into bed. He had a desk in a warehouse because he couldn't make it up the stairs to his office. He had to go to a truck stop to find a scale big enough to weigh himself.

That was at the end of 2004.

Now, he weighs 342 pounds. That's about HALF the man he used to be.

And he's done it all by changing his eating habits. Exercise really wasn't an option; he could barely walk. Now, without all that weight, he can make it up the stairs, drive his own mini-van and go to the baseball games he loves. He's a new man. And he has a whole new outlook on life.

He's an inspiration to anyone who is trying to shed a few pounds.

His entire life has changed. It wasn't easy. But, with the help of some amazing, dedicated friends, he made it happen.

So can we.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Small Steps

Health and Human Services has launched a website called "Small Step."  
It's all about the little things we can change... and have a big impact on our general health and well being.

From SmallStep.gov:
All of these factors may contribute to the fact that two out of every three Americans are now overweight or obese -- defined as having a body mass index over 25 -- and that number is rising.

HHS says 61% of adults in the United States were overweight or obese in 1999.   Reducing your calorie intake by 150 calories a day, along with participating in moderate activity, could double your weight loss and is equivalent to approximately 10 pounds in 6 months and 20 pounds in 1 year. 

Interactive Menu Planner
http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi

Create-a-Diet
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/chd1/create.htm

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Officially Overweight

Okay.  Here's a disturbing little website.

You enter your height and your weight... and it figures out your BMI.

Below 18.5 is underweight.
18.5 - 24.9 is Normal.
25.0 - 29.9 is Overweight.
30.0 and above is Obese.

So... at 5'11" and 210 pounds... the BMI is 29.3.  That means I am, officially, Overweight.

How's THAT for a bit of sobering, eh?
Aaaaaaargh!

One more reason to keep hitting the gym.