Friday, March 25, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
365 Days of Gratitude - #9 Hand Me Downs
Today I give thanks for the many items I have in my life that once belonged to others. Others like my Grandparents, both on my Father and Mother's side as well as both my parents and Lisa's parents.
(Before I go on, I want to take a moment and say how grateful I am that all four of our parents are alive and doing well. I realize more each day how lucky I am to be able to say that today and how truly blessed I have been to always have them in my life. 53 years of knowing I have two of the best people on this earth and in my life to guide and direct me and when necessary, correct me, to be the best person I can become on a daily basis. As well as a loving and supporting wife for 32 years. I pray I will never take them or others for granted.)
Today as I was working on a project in the house I went to the garage and used two separate tools, one that once belonged to my Grandpa Hogge ( Ray Arichibald) and the other to my Dad (Glen Ray). As I held these tools and finished my project I had a flood of memories of the past and how lucky I was to learn from three of my Grandparents ( My Grandpa - Barclay Standing passed way before my birth but nonetheless still left " Hand me Downs" that I reflect on daily and I am blessed by).
For may things I personally prefer Hand Me Downs over new items and give thanks for the lessons and material things given to me from my ancestors whom I Love dearly. I hope someday my Children and Grandchildren will give thanks for the Hand Me Downs they will receive from me!
(Before I go on, I want to take a moment and say how grateful I am that all four of our parents are alive and doing well. I realize more each day how lucky I am to be able to say that today and how truly blessed I have been to always have them in my life. 53 years of knowing I have two of the best people on this earth and in my life to guide and direct me and when necessary, correct me, to be the best person I can become on a daily basis. As well as a loving and supporting wife for 32 years. I pray I will never take them or others for granted.)
Today as I was working on a project in the house I went to the garage and used two separate tools, one that once belonged to my Grandpa Hogge ( Ray Arichibald) and the other to my Dad (Glen Ray). As I held these tools and finished my project I had a flood of memories of the past and how lucky I was to learn from three of my Grandparents ( My Grandpa - Barclay Standing passed way before my birth but nonetheless still left " Hand me Downs" that I reflect on daily and I am blessed by).
For may things I personally prefer Hand Me Downs over new items and give thanks for the lessons and material things given to me from my ancestors whom I Love dearly. I hope someday my Children and Grandchildren will give thanks for the Hand Me Downs they will receive from me!
Saturday, December 19, 2015
365 days of gratitude - #8 Mt. Fuji
Today as I sit in my hotel room in Tokyo, Japan I am blessed to be able to open the curtains to my large window and see Mt. Fuji in the distance rising above the city. I love this Mountain and I must say it is my favorite mountain outside of the United States and maybe my favorite of all. You see my Father, once climbed to the top of this mountain when he was younger. He was a brave young Navy Cadet stationed in Japan during the Korean war and day accepted the challenge, along with other cadets to climb to the top! He reached this goal and wrote his name in a book at he time and looked over the city of Tokyo.
Each time I come to Japan, I admire this great mountain and picture my dad on top. In the 6th grade I did a 50 page report all about Japan. I chose Japan, as like my sisters before me, to honor my Father who told us about it and brought back souvenirs to cherish forever. I love that fact that Mt. Fuji will always be here each time I come, and its legacy will last to millions of others, even after I am gone. Just like my Dad, who climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji and left a legacy for me and my family.
Each time I come to Japan, I admire this great mountain and picture my dad on top. In the 6th grade I did a 50 page report all about Japan. I chose Japan, as like my sisters before me, to honor my Father who told us about it and brought back souvenirs to cherish forever. I love that fact that Mt. Fuji will always be here each time I come, and its legacy will last to millions of others, even after I am gone. Just like my Dad, who climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji and left a legacy for me and my family.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
365 days of Gratitude #7 Microwave Oven
My 32 Year Old Microwave
It seems a little strange, even to me who is writing this, that #6 of my gratitude journal would be giving thanks to an appliance, but today I am thankful for our microwave oven that was given to Lisa and I as a gift from my parents almost 32 years ago. Yes, you read that right, 32 years ago. Now I don't have proof but I must believe it was the oldest functioning microwave oven in the entire wold until it stopped working last week while we were away on a business trip.
You wonder, why was it is so painful for me to see our microwave break. For many it would be a happy time as they could get a new, better, appliance. For me its been a time to reflect.
1) My parents gave us this gift that we could never have afforded for ourselves 32 years ago. It always reminds me how giving and supportive my parents have been of my and my family since day one of our marriage.
2) When I get home late and was in a hurry I could always count on my microwave to be there for me. It never let me down with the exception of a few times its light burned out. It was consistent and I could count on it.
3) I heated up food for my Grandma and Lisa's Grandma in it and they have since passed on. It was a link to my relatives who were once with us and taught me to be a better person
4) I have heated up food for my parents and Lisa's parents who are still with us today. I give thanks everyday they are.
5) I relied on the Microwave clock to be on time. To know what time it is everyday. I changed it twice a year due to day light savings and it was a tradition that I changed its clock first as the elder statesman in the kitchen.
6) Everyone of our children used this microwave. It is older than all of them. They have never known life without the reliability of this appliance.
7) I can't even think of how many times it was used and abused over the 32 years. It never complained and was always there to help when asked. A great lesson for me and others to learn from.
8) It worked for all kinds of food and other things. It was not prejudice in any way. Another lesson to learn for all of us.
I guess the thing I will remember the most is that it heated up ever single baby bottle that my children drank. It was a direct tie to my children that are now all grown up. Someday they may be lucky enough to own their own microwave and I hope they have the same fond memories that i do our our microwave.
Rest is peace, you have earned it!
It seems a little strange, even to me who is writing this, that #6 of my gratitude journal would be giving thanks to an appliance, but today I am thankful for our microwave oven that was given to Lisa and I as a gift from my parents almost 32 years ago. Yes, you read that right, 32 years ago. Now I don't have proof but I must believe it was the oldest functioning microwave oven in the entire wold until it stopped working last week while we were away on a business trip.
You wonder, why was it is so painful for me to see our microwave break. For many it would be a happy time as they could get a new, better, appliance. For me its been a time to reflect.
1) My parents gave us this gift that we could never have afforded for ourselves 32 years ago. It always reminds me how giving and supportive my parents have been of my and my family since day one of our marriage.
2) When I get home late and was in a hurry I could always count on my microwave to be there for me. It never let me down with the exception of a few times its light burned out. It was consistent and I could count on it.
3) I heated up food for my Grandma and Lisa's Grandma in it and they have since passed on. It was a link to my relatives who were once with us and taught me to be a better person
4) I have heated up food for my parents and Lisa's parents who are still with us today. I give thanks everyday they are.
5) I relied on the Microwave clock to be on time. To know what time it is everyday. I changed it twice a year due to day light savings and it was a tradition that I changed its clock first as the elder statesman in the kitchen.
6) Everyone of our children used this microwave. It is older than all of them. They have never known life without the reliability of this appliance.
7) I can't even think of how many times it was used and abused over the 32 years. It never complained and was always there to help when asked. A great lesson for me and others to learn from.
8) It worked for all kinds of food and other things. It was not prejudice in any way. Another lesson to learn for all of us.
I guess the thing I will remember the most is that it heated up ever single baby bottle that my children drank. It was a direct tie to my children that are now all grown up. Someday they may be lucky enough to own their own microwave and I hope they have the same fond memories that i do our our microwave.
Rest is peace, you have earned it!
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