Grateful for nice things people say about me

Ever have a day when people who you care for seem to come out of the woodwork and say nice things to you. Today was such a day.  It started with my wife making me feel special by just saying how much she loves me and saying that I am a good man.  Next came a short conversation with my sister, who live's in North Carolina. I told her was going to visit our wayward father who has a love hate relationship with the world. She told me she just spoke to him and reminded him to be nice to me.  She went further and said she told him that I was a good man and a great father.What a previlge to be thought of with such love and admiration from you kid sister.  I went ahead and called upon our father. He was in the process of trying complete a film and up load it to the internet.  He wanted to put a film clip on the web explaining his version of the universe, I'm not kidden.  We spent the next three hours searching the store for a converter that puts VHS tapes into DVD's.  We tried to get it to work, but at last I had to leave and left him with the most horrible words you can tell a man, or for that reason, any person, "You need to read the directions." Ooch.
On the way home I spoke to my pool repair man, Ralph.  I owe him a payment and called to let him know I was going to send it to him this week.  His first remarks to me were "How's the family and how are you doing?"  Never asking about why I late paying him for him service.  He even went on and said I was a very nice guy and I am very blessed.  WOW.

Late tonight I received a call from my Dad, he said it was nice visiting with me.  This from a man who has so many problems and issues, he made time to say that.
Glory Be...
I say to my self at times "Why don't I have more to show for my life, money, friends, travel etc."  After today, I just got to say how thankful I am for what I do have.

Wow, what a great day.

Today I spent the day as usual helping students and working to bring home the bacon.  After work I had the opportunity to work with a few students who wanted to pull their grade up and redo some exams. Getting young folks to want stay in class is hard enough, but having them want to stay after school and bring up their grade, wow, I must be doing something right.  I was so proud of them, these students come from a lower income community and think as most students so that school is a chore that life just places in front of them. If I could only go back and do it again, no on second thought, I am pretty happy with what I have now, a great job, wonderful family and a loving wife.  What a great day.

Tough Week

Valentines Day is here, What is a man to do? When you have no funds to spend, working more than full time, and trying to keep up with the family needs, how do you find the right gift for the woman that has made your adult life worth living?  I know all the quick answers, write her a love letter, pick her some flowers, take her on a long walk through the park. No, She needs a real gift.  Something that says I love you and thank you for spending your precious time with me and mostly, thanks for this great life.
All month I have been worried to heck about this day, Any Suggestions out there? Wow, this has been a tough week.

What do they need now?

Being a father and husband requires at times more time than I think, I say think, I can give.  I just realized recently that no matter what is thrown at me, I have to provide some level of help in a caring manner.  This help has to be given without resentment and with a positive attitude.  For example, I was asked by my wife to hang some pictures for her, I didn't respond in a loving caring way.  I just said yes, "Where do you want them in a harsh tone.  These request seem to always come up when I have my plans already made.

Yesterday, I was asked to help paint, hang and move pictures, plates and house numbers, wow.  I also had a child to take to a school cheer activity and attend a funeral.  With a change in attitude, and a prayer to start my day, I took on the task.  I worked side by side with my awesome wife, I am not saying that for browning points, I really mean that, I will let you know more about her in the future.  We completed the task and had a good time doing it, I drove my kid to the game and paid my respects to my old friend.  I even had a chance to visit my father on the way home.  Funerals have a way of making me remember the people in our life who get little attention.
Well, I know I am not perfect, life is a consent struggle to be better. Balancing our life, work, family, fun, and any other of the many aspects of life takes the ability to organize yourself, but most of all, Doing for others or Them, makes God happy.  I wonder if God ever says "What do they want now?"

Family

Just got back yesterday from a great trip to North Carolina. First time in a long time that I was away from the family.  The trip was designed to say hello and good by to my Nephew was is being deployed with his squad to the middle east, can't say where for his safety.  I sure pray that he continues to be safe and return unharmed.  The unexpected gift from the trip was sharing time with my Uncle, Brother, Sisters and Nephews. Also, time away from my children and wife made me appriciate them even more them I do.
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