Just listening is like a little bit of heaven!!!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
July 4th, 2011
This 4th of July Loverly and I were treated to a small town (albeit an affluent small town) celebration of the holiday. Norman Rockwell should have been there. We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
It all started with a parade at around 1:00 in the afternoon. Well I have to admit it probably started earlier than that because I think the American Legion Post had a breakfast earlier but Loverly and I usually don't get motivated until the crack of noon. So, we started with the parade. It was great. There was a ton of local support from all community groups as well as some from surrounding communities. When the military color guard came through, people stood and removed their hats!!!!! A lesson to all!
When the parade ended, everyone moved to the art fair that was taking place in the park down by the local beach. People meandered around the fair and found food stands a plenty for snacks and light lunches. It was great. I locked my wallet in the car so Loverly wouldn't sample all of the beautiful handmade jewelry at the fair.
Throughout the day, people were friendly, courteous and very tolerant of the many dogs that were in town. I am not sure I have ever been to a more dog friendly community. Dogs are welcome just about everywhere it is legal to take a dog. How cool is that???!!!
Loverly and I had a little down time and took in a movie and dinner then returned for the fireworks. Now I am used to the Target Fireworks in Detroit so this town had a long ways to go to impress us. I have to say I was impressed. While there was not the 1 million plus crowd that Detroit pulls, everyone in the area was there and left with smiles on their faces. It was the perfect ending to a great 4th of July weekend.
Loverly and I return home tomorrow though I am sure a fair amount of the folks we met will extend their holiday through the rest of the week. I love it, it is great for them and great for Michigan.
Michigan is a state that depends on the tourist industry. I truly believe that for every $1.00 you spend in Michigan during the summer and winter months, you get back $1.50 in fun and enjoyment. Part of that is the resources we have in Michigan. The rest is brought to you by the fantastic people who spend time in small towns giving of themselves in the manner Loverly and I saw this weekend.
Thanks Harbor Springs!!!!! .....And thanks to a dear friend who housed us all weekend and to our friends who mentored us through the weekend of events.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Aftermath
The funeral was yesterday for my dear friend. It was a nice event. In fact, my Loverly said it was one of the best in both format and substance. There were a lot of people in attendance: friends, family, and business associates.
As part of the service, people were invited to come forward and tell amusing stories about my friend or simply reveal feelings about the life and passing of my friend. Several of us took advantage of the opportunity and told stories or expressed feelings about events that took place during his life. They were all well done and heartfelt.
Today, I stopped at the grave site and talked with my friend. I committed to return and discuss important issues with him and experience the comfort of still being able to share my thoughts and decisions with him. I also shared with him that cemeteries kind of freak me out; they are not my favorite places to visit. I will get past that though and stop and discuss things with him periodically much like I do with my family members who have passed. Sorry, but that is what I do and I believe it is good for me and honors those who have passed.
So, life goes on. It always does and always will. In this case, as in most, it will go on with a void and a sorrow that will take some time to mend. That is the grieving process. Once past it though we learn that life is a constant renewal. My friends passing is part of that renewal even though it will take time for us to really view it as such. God has called him home. His life learning was complete and he needs to prepare room for the rest of us schmucks left behind. I am confident he is doing that as we speak. Of course he is doing that between rounds of golf on the best golf courses heaven has to offer.
Play well my friend!!! I will be there some day and I want strokes!!!!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Passing of a dear Friend and Colleague
Back in January I wrote of my friend that was fighting the good fight against lung and brain cancer. He fought bravely and won many battles but he lost the war yesterday.
Last night I began thinking about how you summarize a man’s life and the impact he had on the world he leaves behind. At different times in his life, my friend was an athlete, a husband, a father and a friend. He was devoted to his family and you always knew he had your back when the chips were down.
Speaking of chips, my friend liked to gamble a little and loved to play golf. He was passionate about his work both in the educational community and as a businessman/owner. He was a man of integrity and of good character. There was one way to do something and that way was always governed by his moral compass.
I believe my friend knew Christ in his heart and he was never ashamed of that and demonstrated it at every meal before which he prayed.
How do you summarize a man’s life and contribution? If you knew him you already know the answer to that question. If you didn’t, then know this; he was loved by many and he loved in return. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.
My Friend - Marty Thomas
My "Brother from another Mother"
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Masters - Day Two
A day for the young??? I am watching 3 young players as they vie for the lead of the Masters on day two; McIlroy, Fowler and Day. Some real talent in this threesome. Naturally my thoughts turn to how many tournaments have been won by first timers and how there are so many talented players who have not yet reached their 25th birthday. Will the 2011 Masters Champion be one such youthful player?
As I ponder that thought, I see that there are two veterans quietly making moves out on the course. One of them would stand the hairs on the back of my neck on end if I was leading the championship, Tiger Woods. Tiger is now only three off the lead. The other is Lee Westwood who was recently the number one player in the world. He turned in a five under 67 today and sits only five back.
Additionally, some of the perennial powerhouses are on the first two pages of the leaderboard and any one of them could make a charge tomorrow on moving day and challenge the leader Rory McIlroy.
Like all Masters Championships, this will prove to be a nail biter. Stay tuned.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Libya, really???
Note to our government; in this case our enemies enemy is not our friend. We are now going to fund Al-Qaeda operations? You know there will come a time when we realize that we provided weapons to Libyan rebels that are used against our own forces in other parts of the world. Mark my words, it will happen. The rebellion has already been hijacked by extremists. Are we really choosing the lesser of two evils here?
I am all for the concept of being a world super power and having some responsibility for standing up for the little guy. We have done that all my life and it is one of the things I admire about this country. I am not sure our motives have always been philanthropic, none the less they have generally served our best interests in the process. In the case of Libya, I am not sure that is the case. This appears to be a lose-lose for the United States. Surely there must be someway to help the mass of people that were about to be are threatened by Gaddafi without funding Al-Qaeda rebels.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Life Can Sneak Up On You
How many times have you heard of a couple who couldn't have children and suddenly they are pregnant and expecting one of life's little miracles? Or how about the person that goes to a casino and a single pull nets a huge and unexpected sum of money?
Of course life doesn't always deal you the proverbial good hand. Sometimes you are dealt a hand you really have to play all the way to the final card and hope you hit the straight flush. Such is the case with my business partner and close friend. A short four months ago while on a business trip, my friend noticed a slight disconnect in his motor skills. At the advice of his doctor, he went to the emergency room of a local hospital and suddenly he is fighting lung cancer that has metastasized to his brain.
Now, there are a lot of ways a person could react to that kind of news. I have thought long and hard about what my mindset would be like after receiving that bit of information. Granted, for me it is only speculation but I am not the courageous type. Not like my friend who has faced this squarely and decided he would not let it define him.
I don't pretend to know the intimate details of what he and his wife go through on a daily basis or the moments they share thinking about treatment options, the effects of medications and what lies ahead, but I do know that they have a plan and are implementing it courageously.
They are controlling input and keeping it to a select group. They aren't looking for a pity party. They are looking for positive feedback and support and they are getting it.
Courage, strength, poise, class and a lot of faith in a Higher Power, that is what drives my friend and his wife. All great qualities and all qualities that I hope someday someone will use to describe my character. My hat is off to them and I love them both dearly.
Pray for them as I do. Pray the prayer that never fails; let God's will be done.
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