Life is important, like people we know who are special, and so we should keep them close.
Do you know people because of health problems are virtually house bound? Do you know people who do not have computers?
Joan and I know several people who are in these categories and we know from our persoanl experiences just how tough it can be for people like that.
For me of course it is my daughter Martha. Joan's Mother-in-Law Dot is also. Dot will be 90 years old next month. Joan is a Stephens Minister at our church. Stephens Ministers are assigned to a person to help them with problems, like a death in their family, someone going through a divorce, financial problems, etc. In Joan's case the lady she is assigned to has a lot of health problems and like Martha and Dot about the only time they can get out is to go to doctors appointments. There are others we know about but these are the ones we are closet to.
What they all have in common is that their minds are as sharp as can be it's just that they have physical problems that make their life difficult.
Probably most of you know someone that is in that same boat. What they all miss the most is contact with people. All of us that are lucky enough to have and be able to operate computers know at times we recieve some thing funny or something very heart warming that we can't wait to send to our family and friends because we know they will enjoy it very much also.
So for these people I print these things out and save them and when I get a few I send them to them. We also share pictures with them, try to keep them up on whats going on with family and friends, etc. We also call them quite often. And we visit when we can. Joan gets audio CD's from the services at our church for the lady she helps and takes them to her when she visits as she is a member there but just can't attend any more.
So we know from personal experience what a big uplift it can bring to people in this position. Martha's 50TH birthday was over a month ago and she is still on a high from all the cards, phone calls and visits she recieved. Grandma Dot is kept up on what's going on with Christopher, Carter, and Griffin via the pictures and the information we give her.
We share things with people we know that have no health problems but do not have a computer, especially people we know that live out of state and they all appreciate it very much. If is is some thing special you want to share with your e-mail friends and family once in awhile share them with folks that don't have a computer also.
Just thought we would pass this food for thought on, we know how much people are strapped for time but if you know any one in this situation just think about how much they would appreciate knowing that they are not forgotten and are still loved and if possible maybe give them a call, send them a note or a card not just for special occasions but just out of the blue. As I said we know from experience just how much it means to people in this situation.
Let all your friends and family know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do
And just in case we are gone tomorrow,
WE LOVE YOU, Joe & Joan
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
What a difference they have made in my life.
Years ago there was a country song written by Ronnie Milsap called what a difference you have made in my life. It was a song he wrote as a tribute to his wife but I have borrowed some of his words to try to convey what a difference Carter and Griffin have made in my life.
What a difference you've made in my life,
You're my sunshine day and night,
Oh what a difference you've made in my life.
What a change you have made in my heart,
Oh what a change you've made in my heart.
You have gave love a new meaning,
So I joined in the singing,
That's why I wanna spread the news.
As most of you who read my BLOG know I don't have any biological grand children. Martha and Jimmy got Jessica when she was 6 1/2 or 7 and when I met Joan Christopher was about 3 years old. Children at that age know you are not really their grand father and so they never called me grandpa and I guess I never really felt like one.
I would tell my family and friends who were grand parents it didn't really bother me. I would say things like I don't have patience with kids any way so I probably wouldn't be a good grandpa any way but deep down I was envious of them.
Well lo and behold on February 1. 2005 Carter was born. I was there about a half hour after his birth and the very first time I held him I felt like a grand father. I told his family I didn't want to be called Grandpa though, I wanted to be called Papa, so I became Papa to a little guy who made a drastic change in my life. Lucky for me we just bonded from the very beginning and have continued a great relationship. We have had great times together, going to the park, McDonald's, playing baseball, soccer and games together and he loves for me to read to him. He has also went to work with me on my part time job a lot. He started going with me when he first started walking, I had to take diapers with me back then and change him, that's how long he has been going with me. If he doesn't go with me for awhile every one starts asking me when is Carter coming. LOL
One time a lot of the family were meeting at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, I was outside waiting for Carter to come with his Mom and Dad, I was on one side of the street and he was on the other, when the traffic cleared he pulled loose from his Mommy and came running across the street yelling Papa, Papa, and jumped into my arms, with tears running down my cheek I looked up and said I now know for sure there is a God. LOL That also assured me that I was a Papa for sure.
Now I am even more lucky, Griffin and I seem to be bonding quite well also. I have been going to the fitness center since May trying to get in shape to keep up with them. LOL
A group of us at work one day were talking about the movie, The Bucket List. Some one said Joe do you have a bucket list. A list of things you want to do before you die. I said I have been so lucky in my life, great family, great friends, traveled a lot, seen a lot, done a lot so my Bucket List is not very long. I said I just want to live long enough to make enough of an impression on Carter and Griffin that when they get old enough to realize I was not their biologial Papa that it won't make any difference to them. And if I am lucky enough to get to Heaven and one day I am looking down and some one asks them about their Papa that they will say my Papa was a cool guy, that would make my Bucket list complete.
What a difference you've made in my life,
You're my sunshine day and night,
Oh what a difference you've made in my life.
What a change you have made in my heart,
Oh what a change you've made in my heart.
You have gave love a new meaning,
So I joined in the singing,
That's why I wanna spread the news.
As most of you who read my BLOG know I don't have any biological grand children. Martha and Jimmy got Jessica when she was 6 1/2 or 7 and when I met Joan Christopher was about 3 years old. Children at that age know you are not really their grand father and so they never called me grandpa and I guess I never really felt like one.
I would tell my family and friends who were grand parents it didn't really bother me. I would say things like I don't have patience with kids any way so I probably wouldn't be a good grandpa any way but deep down I was envious of them.
Well lo and behold on February 1. 2005 Carter was born. I was there about a half hour after his birth and the very first time I held him I felt like a grand father. I told his family I didn't want to be called Grandpa though, I wanted to be called Papa, so I became Papa to a little guy who made a drastic change in my life. Lucky for me we just bonded from the very beginning and have continued a great relationship. We have had great times together, going to the park, McDonald's, playing baseball, soccer and games together and he loves for me to read to him. He has also went to work with me on my part time job a lot. He started going with me when he first started walking, I had to take diapers with me back then and change him, that's how long he has been going with me. If he doesn't go with me for awhile every one starts asking me when is Carter coming. LOL
One time a lot of the family were meeting at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, I was outside waiting for Carter to come with his Mom and Dad, I was on one side of the street and he was on the other, when the traffic cleared he pulled loose from his Mommy and came running across the street yelling Papa, Papa, and jumped into my arms, with tears running down my cheek I looked up and said I now know for sure there is a God. LOL That also assured me that I was a Papa for sure.
Now I am even more lucky, Griffin and I seem to be bonding quite well also. I have been going to the fitness center since May trying to get in shape to keep up with them. LOL
A group of us at work one day were talking about the movie, The Bucket List. Some one said Joe do you have a bucket list. A list of things you want to do before you die. I said I have been so lucky in my life, great family, great friends, traveled a lot, seen a lot, done a lot so my Bucket List is not very long. I said I just want to live long enough to make enough of an impression on Carter and Griffin that when they get old enough to realize I was not their biologial Papa that it won't make any difference to them. And if I am lucky enough to get to Heaven and one day I am looking down and some one asks them about their Papa that they will say my Papa was a cool guy, that would make my Bucket list complete.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Griffin's weekend with Nana & Papa
On Sunday August 9, Barbara, Brett, Carter, & Griffin left for a long anticipated vacation. Since Griffin was born they have been very busy with doctors appointments, many sleepless nights, and not a lot of rest so off they went to Captiva for a nice weeks vacation. They were with two other couples and set to have a lot of fun. They were having a great time on Sunday and Monday and lo and behold on Tuesday Carter came down with the flu. They had to cut the vacation short and come home.
The doctor said if they could it would be a good idea to seperate Carter and Griffin so Griffin would not get sick. So on Tuesday night Griffin went to stay with Mimi and Papa Bill. They kept him until Joan picked him up Friday evening and she brought him home to spend the weekend with us.
We have been having a ball with him, he went out to dinner with us Friday night and he was the center of attention at the restaurant. We felt really bad about Carter being sick but we have had a great time with him this weekend. Joan has to go back to work tomorrow so it is off back to Mimi's and Papa Bill's until the doctor says it is ok for him to go home.
His Mommy is climbing the wall waiting for him to be able to come home. She knew I would be taking pictures of him so she had me forward them to her last night. LOL
The doctor said if they could it would be a good idea to seperate Carter and Griffin so Griffin would not get sick. So on Tuesday night Griffin went to stay with Mimi and Papa Bill. They kept him until Joan picked him up Friday evening and she brought him home to spend the weekend with us.
We have been having a ball with him, he went out to dinner with us Friday night and he was the center of attention at the restaurant. We felt really bad about Carter being sick but we have had a great time with him this weekend. Joan has to go back to work tomorrow so it is off back to Mimi's and Papa Bill's until the doctor says it is ok for him to go home.
His Mommy is climbing the wall waiting for him to be able to come home. She knew I would be taking pictures of him so she had me forward them to her last night. LOL
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Martha's 50 TH birthday continued
Every one that knows Joan always kids her about her birthday, they say she doesn't just have a birthday she has a birthday month. It just seems to go on and on.
Well Martha's birthday also has not been just a birthday day. Her birthday was July 21, we went over to help her celebrate on July 19, she had already got a lot of cards and phone calls. Well the cards and phone calls kept coming before and after her birthday.
I went over to visit her today, August 2 and she still was charged up about every thing. She couldn't wait to show me all the cards she recieved since I was over there before. And in her own way telling me about some of the phone calls she recieved. And she was still excited.
She wishes she could personally thank every one who helped make her birthday a very special one but since she can't do that I will try to do it for her. On behalf of Martha, Jimmy, Jessica, Anita, Joan, and I we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I just wish there was some way I could convey to you how much it has picked up her spirits, me trying to tell you about it does not do it justice.
She also recieved some nice gift cards, and flowers. Anita and Jessica took her out for a nice breakfast the day of her birthday and our dear friends Carol and Debbie gave her the picture frame and the collage of pictures of her Mom you see in the pictures along with most of the cards. The picture frame has three parts, for my 50 TH, Bubba's and Martha's also, a novel idea I had not seen one like that before.
Love and best wishes to you all, and God Bless You.
Well Martha's birthday also has not been just a birthday day. Her birthday was July 21, we went over to help her celebrate on July 19, she had already got a lot of cards and phone calls. Well the cards and phone calls kept coming before and after her birthday.
I went over to visit her today, August 2 and she still was charged up about every thing. She couldn't wait to show me all the cards she recieved since I was over there before. And in her own way telling me about some of the phone calls she recieved. And she was still excited.
She wishes she could personally thank every one who helped make her birthday a very special one but since she can't do that I will try to do it for her. On behalf of Martha, Jimmy, Jessica, Anita, Joan, and I we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I just wish there was some way I could convey to you how much it has picked up her spirits, me trying to tell you about it does not do it justice.
She also recieved some nice gift cards, and flowers. Anita and Jessica took her out for a nice breakfast the day of her birthday and our dear friends Carol and Debbie gave her the picture frame and the collage of pictures of her Mom you see in the pictures along with most of the cards. The picture frame has three parts, for my 50 TH, Bubba's and Martha's also, a novel idea I had not seen one like that before.
Love and best wishes to you all, and God Bless You.
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