They know I love them!

No, I haven’t said, “I Love You” lately! But, they know.

3,000 people in America are dying alone each day.

I wonder how many of their family members had a chance to tell them before they passed?

I think we have to be careful when making any kind of assumptions.

Especially, assumptions about love.

We are living in a time of many daily uncertainties.

Everyone reacts to today’s chaos in a unique way.

Therefore, we must keep communicating with one another.

We can’t reach a friend or loved one if we don’t know how they feel.

Be sure to express your love so they know how you feel.

It’s tough living with regrets that cannot be corrected.

Assume less and communicate more!

If not today, when?

We all have one.

I think my wonderful parents over-corrected with me.

They always told me I could do anything.

My Dad’s favorite saying was:

“No one is any better than you. They all put their pants on one leg at a time!”

So, my worst fault is that I think too highly of myself!

I know that may sound strange because we want to have a good sense of self esteem.

In my case, “Ugh, too much!”

How about you?

What is your worst fault people find annoying?

The more important question is, are you willing or able to change it?

New Year’s RESOLUTION DAY is just around the corner.

What a perfect time of year to present a better version of yourself to others!

If not today, when?

Each one of her wrinkles was earned!

I don’t know if she had a formal education.

She might have had a much more impactful teacher: LIFE!

Yes, the ultimate teacher for all of us is LIFE. Those lessons learned are never forgotten.

The interesting thing about LIFE is that we learn from our lives and the lives of others.

I took trigonometry in high school.

Although, I learned a lot in that class, I never used it.

How about you? What lessons of LIFE have you never used?

Have you learned about the power of love? And do you love mightily?

Remember, “It is in giving that we receive!” “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned!”

Be sure to earn your wrinkles!

If not today, when!

28% of Americans live alone.

Yes, more than 1/4 of our fellow citizens live alone.

Now, I understand some of them want it that way, but most don’t.

Even with the advent of texting, emailing and Zoom, the lonely remain lonely.

Oh, I know doing something is better than not reaching out at all.

And, of course, the pandemic has interrupted our ability to visit the lonely.

There is a tune playing on our piano right now.

It’s an oldie, but goodie: “Think of Me.”

Do you think of the lonely people you know or do you need reminding?

If you don’t think of them, they may feel, after a lifetime of effort, they’ve been cast aside.

Will you do something on a regular basis for lonely friends or family members?

If not today, when?

It’s actually a very important question in these times.

Do you have some kind of activity that is relaxing and enjoyable?

I am especially concerned about moms!

Moms usually put everyone’s well being ahead of theirs.

If you already have some way of relaxing, get out the calendar and set the time aside.

If you don’t, look around, talk to others. There must be something you’d do.

Remember, relaxation is part of a “Good Health Plan.”

If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll burn out big time!

You know your body and what it is capable of.

Do something you would genuinely look forward to.

If you don’t pace yourself with something, you won’t be able to help others.

If not today, when?

What is the trajectory of your life?

Is it one you are proud of?

What grade would you get from the people who really know you?

There are two factors that impact your life’s path: events and decisions.

Things happen in our lives over which we have no control. How have you reacted to them?

Are your reactions based upon strong values you hold dear? What are your values?

Without adherence to honorable values, your life’s path will go asunder.

And then there is the lifelong influence of your decision making!

Do you make rash decisions on the spur of the moment or do you take a moment to weigh the pros and cons?

It is possible to make better decisions in the future that will improve your life’s path.

Try to keep emotions out of your decisions. You can’t take back what you said or did.

It’s never too late to get on the right path!

If not today when?

I don’t pretend to be a marriage counselor.

But, after 56 years living with THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, here’s a thought:

Always try to put the interests of your spouse ahead of yours.

Before we go further, I must make a confession:

Many times, I was selfish and put my priorities ahead of hers.

For the last few years, however, I have tried harder to put her priorities first.

I know I probably won’t have enough years left to catch up with all her kindnesses.

I must admit, though, the effort is most enjoyable!

It’s never too late to make your marriage happier for both of you.

It takes two to tango.

START DANCING!

If not today, when?

I have never been a big advocate of having a dog as a pet.

But, my wonderful wife loves all people and all dogs.

She has a heart as big as all outdoors!

So, 18 months ago, I suggested we get a dog because I want her to be as happy as possible.

We were in a dog shelter within one hour of my suggestion.

We found a female who had recently given birth and was put out on the streets by her owner.

When the police found her, she was very malnourished.

My wife knew this was the dog she wanted.

She named our new pet “HAPPY.” And she has lived up to her name!

Happy has often reminded me of the power of LOYALTY, FORGIVENESS and AFFECTION.

She displays these virtues every day and spreads happiness all around.

What a blessing she is!

It’s not complicated.

Because you only have one 24 hour companion, you must like YOU!

For many of us, that is easier said than done, but is very possible.

Many of us have regrets about our past, things we did and failed to do.

Remember, you don’t have to live with the person you were.

No, you only have to live with the person you are now and will be tomorrow.

Learn to forgive yourself and embrace this incredible gift of life we enjoy.

I know it sounds like a cliche’, but life really is short.

At the age of 79, I am shocked at how short it is.

I know, in these times, it’s not easy to be happy

But, don’t allow external events to disrupt how you feel about yourself!

Our lives are a pure gift. Like any other gift, enjoy it.

If not today, when?

America would never have been discovered without WIND & WATER!

No, our founders needed the Atlantic Ocean and plenty of wind in their sails.

One of my lifelong passions is sailing.

My brother and I owned a 15′ wooden sailboat with a hole in the hull.

One of us would SAIL while the other would BAIL!

Before you step into the next world, you must go sailing.

The magic of it all!

All you need is a boat with a sail & Mother Nature takes it from there.

The photo in this blog is me at the helm, sailing home from the 2005 Mackinac Race.

It was one of the biggest thrills of my life!

“Red sails at night, sailors delight. Red sails at morning, sailors take warning!”

The sky turned red on Sunday morning and a big storm hit us hard for eight hours.

That night, it was peaceful and our boat was followed by a beautiful MOON RIVER.

Go sailing!

If not today, when?