Peace on Earth

With the Christmas season upon us the phrase "Peace on Earth" is spoken a lot. After the mass killing of innocent children in Newtown CT. just days before the birthday of the Prince of Peace, one has to lean on their faith. My faith in Christ is stronger than ever these days, but my faith in man continues to weaken. Mankind continues to engage in war, violence, and in many cases senseless acts of evil. Only God can create a brain and no one has found a way to understand how it works and what messages it sends, since each one is different. We are not in control, but whether we do good or bad is based on choice not chance, in almost all situations. We have created and live in a world of violence towards our fellow man, and in the U.S. where people use guns as protection versus faith. The NRA says let the teachers or administrator have guns in the schools to protect themselves. Schools are not a place for guns period. Their answer is to arm everyone, then we will all be safe. Peace on Earth will be hard to come by if they get their way. Merry Christmas.

Getting Old

I don't know who wrote this but I didn't want to lose it so I'm keeping it for myself and anyone else who feels the same way......

 

" I would never trade my amazing friends, wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

 

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m. and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love....I will.

 

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and I will dive into the waves with abandon if i choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. they too, will get old.

 

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken; How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

 

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

 

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think..I don't question myself anymore. Ive even earned the right to be wrong.

 

So to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if i feel like it). "



The Apprentice Part 2

Last year I posted a story at Christmas time about my grand daughter, Makayla, titled "The Apprentice. It was Christmas time and she was learning from the best, my wife, on how to shop and get those Christmas items she wanted. As she emulated her idol, Donna, she has become skillful in the ways of the mall, sales, and high finance. It is Christmas time again and already she is entering into level 200 courses, that began on Black Friday and will continue I'm sure until New Year's. The only thing that is slowing her down is the fact that her family is attempting to move into a new home and her base location is not stable.

 

Since I hope you can look at the post from last year, I won't go into the techniques again. I did want to point one interesting item this year. And that is the Christmas List. MaKayla, who is now 9 years old came up with some very interesting items on her Christmas List for us to work against this year. Usually, you would think that the children in this age group would want items like games, toys, clothes, etc. No my grand daughter, the Apprentice. She went straight for the high price spread. Number one being a Tablet or IPad, moving down to a flat screen T.V., Bike, Angry Birds watch, hat, shirt, and pajamas, Shoes (Greffes..which I don't know what these are) and the universal gift...Money.

I have no idea what was on "Santa Clause's" list or that of her mother's. However, the most interesting item on the our list was, believe it or not,  a "Passport". The nine year old wants a passport, so that she can be prepared to take vacation and trips with us when we go out of the country. This is the  obstacle that she is planning to overcome now, so we cannot use it in the future.

 

Her graduation will come before she even gets to Middle School!!