2/9/11 – That “First Kiss” Feeling
After 20-plus years of marriage, a couple’s worst enemy can be familiarity. The longing look can become a sideways glance, the kiss can become a passing peck, the passion can become a memory. One morning, I realize that I miss that “first kiss” feeling, and I’ll bet my sweetheart does – and I’m going to do something about it!
Because of a tight budget, I had already told my wife she was going to have to forgo her daily Dunkin Donuts trip for her hot vanilla latte with three Sweet-N-Lows and skim milk, and she has been really great about it.
So I picked up her favorite coffee, and happened to see her driving with one of her high school students. She pulled over, I stopped, turned on my flashers and walked to the driver-side window with her coffee in my hand. I took her lovely face in both of my hands and gave her a long, slow, tender, passionate kiss – and left.
Yes, that should do it.
Shortly thereafter, I received a text quoting her astonished student – “Wow, he really laid one on you!” And - ”I don’t know if I appreciate the kiss or the coffee more.”
“Wait… what?” “I mean, wh-…” “You…” “I…”
Finally, after stewing on it all day, I confronted her about it when she got home. “So - not sure if my kiss ranks up there with a cup of coffee, huh?” I joked. To which she responded, “And the coffee wasn’t that good, either - they forgot the Sweet-N-Low.”
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Note to self – leave well enough alone.
8/30/10 – What A Ride!
I’ve long admired a man who seems to live life all out. He never tires, he never stops, he’s always looking for more. And Frank has always lived by this mantra: “Remember that life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, totally worn out screaming, ‘Holy **** what a ride!’”
I’ve tried that, and always worn out. I never achieved my goal. And finally I realized that I wasn’t giving 100% – I was always trying to hold back just enough for myself to take a shower, wash my uniform and take a little time for me.
Understanding that is one thing – applying it to one’s life is a whole ‘nuther issue. What about you? Do you give everything you’ve got to your life, for the limited time you’re here, or do you always set aside “Me” time?
Is “Me” time important? Of course it is – but when you throw yourself fully into everything that you have a passion for, suddenly you realize that “Me” time… is ALL the time! But I must confess – I can’t do it on my own.
Without committing myself wholly and completely in my service to God, I find that I start feeling sorry for myself, and thinking that it should be more about me. At the first whisper to myself of, “It’s just not fair,” I know that I’ve slipped back into selfishness that has no place in this short life of mine.
So I’ll round the bases at full speed, barrel into home with everything I’ve got and a uniform that shows it, and sweating, stinking and grinning from ear-to-ear I’ll slide sideways into the grave screaming “What a ride!” And I’ll do my very best to drag you kicking and screaming right along with me.
Thanks, Frank.
8/13/10 – Why Not Always?
First an instruction: Watch this YouTube video. Then return directly back to here – don’t let yourself get distracted by something else.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkGzqpGx1KU
If, like me writing, you’re having a hard time reading because of tear-filled eyes, welcome to the human race. Now I must ask, regarding these reunions of families and these fountains of tears – why not always?
The I-never-ever-want-to-let-go-of-you-again hugs for someone we haven’t seen in what seems like an eternity, after we’ve feared for their safety every waking and sleeping moment – why not always?
The overwhelming scrunched up face of a child with a heart suddenly bursting with love and adoration who never wants to let go again – why not always?
I had a friend, Al, who once told me about greeting another friend, Nancy. He was at the bottom of the steps to a government building when she appeared at the top, and he screamed out her name in joyous greeting for all the world to hear because he believes everyone should feel that feeling at least once in their lives. Why not always?
Just for today, set aside that petty argument, that heart-wrenching disappointment, that infuriating anger-smeared fight and greet the ones you love – or even like just a little bit – with an overwhelming hug and their name at the top of your lungs. Then ask yourself…
Why not always?
7/29/10 – Distracted Studying About Driving
Ok, ok, ok. This has got to be ironic.
To get a 15% reduction in my auto insurance, I’m taking an online defensive driving course. Interestingly, each section has a minimum required time to complete – in other words, you must remain in that section for at least the required amount of time.
Now, I’m no rocket scientist, but I’ve got fairly good read-rates, comprehension and retention. So, in general, I’ve finished the section and answered the questions before accomplishing the minimum amount of time required.
So, I have to wait after completing the section and answering the questions, until I can move on to the next section. Which means I have time to do other things – like write this post. In other words, I’m getting distracted from my studying about not getting distracted while driving by doing something like studying while I’m driving!
Oops – time’s up! Time to move on to the next section! I think while I wait for the clock to run down on that section, I’ll go drive around.
7/27/10 – Insurance on the Side and Assurance Up Front
I sell insurance on the side, and the difference from assurance is quite remarkable.
Insurance is “a financial arrangement that redistributes the costs of unexpected losses by transferring potential losses to an insurance pool. The pool combines all of the potential losses and then transfers the cost of the predicted losses by redistributing losses among members of the pool.”
Sounds kind of complex, doesn’t it? In contrast, the definition of assurance is much simpler. Assurance is: “a spiritual arrangement in which all losses are transferred to One Individual. That Individual absorbs the cost of all losses Himself and then transfers the benefits of grace among all members of the pool.”
Insurance is the preparation of what could happen. Assurance is the result of what has already happened.
With insurance there is usually a deductable and copay. With assurance, all cost is taken care of.
Your insurance agent may not get right back to you. The Agent of your assurance never leaves your side.
I may sell insurance on the side, but my assurance is right up front.
7/24/10 – I Love My Wife Dearly, But…
My wife led the testimony time in church last week sharing information about a small recovery group that we would be leading as lay ministers under the Church of God.
I have skeletons in my closet, and my courageous wife told her story of suffering physical and sexual abuse at the hands of a previous husband. I wasn’t there – I was at home with sleeping children who had gotten to bed just that morning.
It wasn’t until she was driving home that she realized she may have left an important word out of her testimony: previous husband. And I wasn’t there. And for those who had jumped to the wrong conclusion, she promised that each time I turn to talk to her this Sunday, she would pull back, shield herself with her arms and plead, “Please don’t hit me!”
I love my wife dearly – it’s just at moments like this that I can’t remember why.
