Mid-year has me reflecting on how the seasons change: Spring into Summer, then Fall and Winter…Young to middle-aged, to old and all the stages in between…Life and death. All are part of the cycle we participate in. Losing people we love is, painfully, another natural part of that cycle. We all (hopefully) grow old, and eventually die. Gratefully, the lessons we pass on – and are passed on to us – stay alive.
In honor of Father’s Day this month, I would like to pay homage to some of the men in my life who I have loved and lost. My father passed away on Father’s Day and my grandfather would have turned 90 the day before Father’s Day this year, had he not passed in January. The best way I know to honor those who have touched my life is to take inspiration from them and pay it forward, continuing the cycles as they were handed down to me.
In this edition of my newsletter, you will find a memorial I wrote, highlighting just a few of the many lessons I learned from my grandfather. Lesson #1 is to Laugh Often, so I have also included some funny, family-related comedy clips for your amusement.
I will leave you with two take-home messages (take action if they speak to you):
FEATURED ARTICLE:
Saying Goodbye to Gramps
My grandfather was a great man. He was kind, patient, dependable, and no matter what, funny. Even in the emergency room at age 89, days before his death, he had me in stitches.
Frail, confused, scared, and physically uncomfortable, he waited over 9 hours in the cold, chaotic ER to be admitted and finally settle into a quiet and warm room. My mother took the first half of the shift waiting with him, and I was lucky enough to take the latter half, lasting until 1:00am. We were so excited when the nurse told us his room was finally ready, we both looked like we won the lottery and I took a selfie to send to my family.
Continue reading here.
LAUGH OFTEN!
Nick Swardson – Old People:
Sebastian Maniscalco – Meemaw:
Meemaw? What're the strangest nicknames you've heard for grandma and grandpa? pic.twitter.com/1Cgx9QOBWq
— Sebastian Maniscalco (@SebastianComedy) August 19, 2018
Lachlan Patterson – The new old people are going to suck:
Hilarious Grandma Stand Up Comedienne:
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My articles are always available for you to read and listen to at your convenience. My written articles can be found on my website, and the audio versions can be found on my YouTube page
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE…
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