We all are subject to changes in our lives.

Changes are reminders that everything is temporary.

It’s a hard reality, but true.

We may be at a tranquil time in our lives and don’t want it to change.

The more difficult changes involve loss.

These can include: a job loss, loss of a loved one or loss of good health.

Some changes can be anticipated while others come as a complete surprise.

Anticipated changes can perhaps allow you to be more prepared to cope.

Sudden, surprise changes may motivate you to pray for help in coping.

At a time of sudden loss, it can be helpful to count your blessings.

That’s the ideal, but often difficult in these times.

Yet, it is an ideal that must be pursued with VIGOR!

At the end of the workday, do you look forward to or dread coming home?

You may be facing marital or parenting problems.

Whether one or both, the rhetoric must be toned down.

For example, a problem with one person need not be fodder for the whole family.

It should be discussed privately with the door closed.

Then try to give time to each person for a couple of minutes to get the gist of what is on their mind. If it requires more than a yes or no answer, promise to discuss it at a given time within the evening.

If your family members know that they will be heard, it will give them some peace of mind and it may give your home more of a refuge feeling….for everyone.

Yes, we celebrated the birth a new great grandson and the death of a lifelong friend.

And so the cycle of life continues unabated.

In the case of the lady dying, she suffered from Alzheimers for a long time.

Her passing was a relief for her and family members.

The baby was the first child of a young couple who were elated with the baby’s safe delivery.

We were aware of the signicance of both events happening in such close proximity to one another.

As we go along day-to-day, there are life-changes that make us pause and reflect.

Yesterday, Kerry Carpenter hit a 3 run home run to help the Detroit Tigers Beat Cleveland 3-0.

Keep in mind that he was working part time at Dick’s Sporting Goods two years ago to make some money.

His mom and sister kept encouraging him to pursue a career in the MLB.

His first full season with the Tigers he had 37 runs, 18 home runs, 75 hits and 57 RBI’S.

What does this story mean to each of us?

We must have HOPE.

HOPE that our dreams CAN come true.

…if we work hard and be nice to people.

BTW Kerry Carpenter is NICE TO PEOPLE!

Your child must always be able to return from a bad day at school to a place where they are loved UNCONDITIONALLY!

Maybe you’ve had a bad day too.

But, that’s your job!

Parenting isn’t easy.

You cannot, you must not, try to escape your role as a parent.

Those parenting responsibilities always stay with you.

Sometimes, you may be the only person who loves your child.

Especially then, your child must hear from your lips that he/she is loved.

If not today, when?

I wrote yesterday about my friend, Stan Rhodes, who passed away recently.

He enjoyed great success in the world of business.

And yet, he had a simple slogan, “Work hard and be nice to people!”

He did both.

You can do that!

I was walking out of his memorial yesterday and saw one of the waitresses writing a message of tribute to him.

She told me Stan never treated her as a waitress.

He was always friendly and treated her like a friend.

So, she had to write him a note of thanks.

It’s so easy to be nice to people and can yield such rewards.

If not today, when?

Stan Rhodes, Age 77

Stan was born in Short Gap, West Virginia.

He joined the Army during the Vietnam War and commanded a helicopter gunship.

Although shot down four times, he never lost a man.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross from the U.S. Department of Defense for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

He came home and took a job with a Savings and Loan which he eventually built into one of the largest and most successful mortgage lenders in the U.S.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with Stan and his wife shortly before his death.

Even after his life of great accomplishments, he was the same Stan.

He lived as he was raised with “Down to earth humility.”

So, the question is, “does lifestyle affect the aging process?”

Well, one of the greatest consumers of alcohol, Winston Churchill, lived to age 90!

I guess lifestyle doesn’t affect the aging process in some people.

Many feel that a person’s longevity is mostly affected by their DNA

If longevity is mostly affected by DNA, I say live your life to the fullest!

It seems that what you do, eat or drink should be enjoyed w/o worrying.

Remember, I’m not a doctor or anything close,

I am a strong believer, however, in the BUCKET LIST!

I’v had a lot of fun trying to empty my BUCKET!

I wish you good luck trying to empty yours.

My recently deceased brother believed in the sanctity of MARRIAGE.

He and his wife had a beautiful marriage.

He also believed in the sanctity of FAMILY.

And he put that belief into action too!

Of course, he was very attentive to the needs of his immediate family.

He also kept in touch with our greater family which is VERY LARGE!

He was always checking in with various members to see how they were doing.

One of our daughters spent six years trying to defeat cancer.

He surprised her by showing up at the hospital when she had a serious procedure.

He was a very good listener and displayed genuine empathy.

I know because he called me on a regular basis.

He was a good example of living the SANCTITY OF FAMILY!

How about you?

If not today, when?