Our new family member

Black Friday and nothing to do. It sure seamed odd after all the year's of craziness on the day after Thanksgiving. Becky & I thought about participating in the shopping hysteria after all the little ones lefty with their parents following our joyous morning and afternoon but instead we got on the internet and searched for our Christmas present. Well we found him in Wooster Ohio at a Pet rescue residence. There were three schnauzer mixes ( Father was unknown which may have been why Mom and seven pups were put in the pound) available. Two girls and our boy who came running out and jumped in my lap as if telling me that he was our new dog. We did want a "lap dog" since our large cat (Bob whose given name is Neo but Grace thought Bob was much more appropriate) can only warm one lap at a time and our little Biscuit is too frail and old to sit on laps anymore. He certainly had the most  "Schnauzer look" to his face so it was not much of a decision. He came home with us and we introduced him to his adopted brother and sister. He appears to love his new environment and is being curiously tolerated by the siblings. His exploration and cute puppy habits of chasing things has provided much entertainment. His bath by Tom  the first night went much better than could be expected. We awoke to his call at 6 am, which actually is late for us but still recovering from all the recent excitement, and had a wonderful morning walk. He is now cuddling with Mommy as I write and she has coffee and reads the paper. I think he will be perfect for us. Now the most challenging part of puppy ownership. The name. We are acquiring suggestions from all and have so far Eli, Rudy, Frank, Spock, Sal, Spidy, Skip, Hank, Harry. Coal ( or Cole).... submissions accepted until Sunday midnight.

Black Friday Happiness

For the first time in thirty nine years I was not actively working on Black Friday. Following a joyous Thanksgiving celebration of food, fun and family, we settled in various beds with three grandchildren after watching Willie Wonka ,which is our tradition, and slept soundly. There is nothing sweeter than waking to little feet kicking you out of bed, tiny hands gently stroking your morning hair or the pure joy of early morning excitement of little ones over the prospect of  cousins to play with. Waking early we were amazed to find that while we slept snow covered all. The woods was a beautiful holiday white while light snow continued to drift slowly down. It added to the magic of the morning so another custom of watching Frosty was even more appropriate. Nate said we couldn't watch before Cather woke up and Catcher said it was the best day ever. We also had to retrieve the littlest Sawyer, Hope, who at one did not sleep over but came over in her PJ's to play with Louisiana. So these four little friends enjoyed breakfast,between  dashing onto the porch to hide muscle guys deep in the new snow, and generally running around doing important childrens' activities. We all had the sillies however but managed to get dressed, cuddled on the couch and had a great time laughing and lounging. This was just the most wonderful day after ever. Louisiana went down for a nap. Granny & Hope fell asleep together in Papa's chair while the boys ( Nate, Catcher, and Papa) went downstairs for another tradition of Star Wars watching and while playing guys, cars, and legos.........It's almost 1 pm so I think I should just stay in my jammies all day...........

Thanksgiving 2009

How can anyone be thankful for what is going on this Thanksgiving 2009. War, poverty, taxes, inflation, jopblessness, terrorism, hate,and  overall calamity. 2012 must be the end of the world as we know it. The Mayans probably were correct.
Yet there is a bright glimmer of hope. The hope we see in a child's face, a child's voice, a child's laugh...
All I need to do is to look at photos or just reflect upon my Grandchildren and there is the reason to live and to press triumphantly on. Thier's is a world full of hope, wonder, enjoyment and life. All despair fades quickly as I see the opportunities, the potential, and the pure enjoyment of life in each child. This is what Thanksgiving is all about. Recognizing that in spite of all the adverse effects and events in the world. All life's meaning is expressed in a child. Friends, family, love, joy, and life is ours to behold if we can just capture a few moments of this experience purity from a child. Put aside all the distractions, worries, and thoughts just to sit and enjoy being with a grandchild, a child, spouse,  or a friend. Just being together.
I look at my wife of thirty nine years and all the hard times, heartaches, and tragedies that we have suffered together yet I also see all the beautiful times that we have shared. The experience of living as one. Husband and wife. As much as I live for my grandchildren, I could not go on without my wife. She is my life. So precious to me that I always think in the plural. How would we do this, what would we do, where should we go. Everything is Tom and Becky. Never can we be separated. I am hers forever. So as many things that I am blessed with this Thanksgiving they all pale in comparison to the gift God allowed me while I was lost and sixteen. This love overcomes all, sustains, and nurtures my life.

Wife, Children, Grandchildren, and all I do have... is a life fulfilled, a life abundant, a thankful life.

Luke Thomas, on his ninth birthday

Today, November 19, 2009 is Luke's ninth birthday. How fast these years have gone by. I remember every detail and event that occurred on the day of Luke's birth. How proud I was when I learned that he would have my name and that this would forever be another special bond between us. As the years have passed and I have watched him grow I am continually amazed by the person he is becoming.
We had a very special day recently (see photos).It is difficult to set aside some alone with one time when there are so many grandchildren ( and children in families). We golfed on a beautiful day and just enjoyed being together. This is what life is truly all about. Just being. Being, talking, laughing, eating just living each moment. In the great play "Our Town" when Emily is allowed to go back to a day in her life and is advised to "select an unimportant day because it will be important enough" so she selects her twelfth birthday. A happy, but ordinary day in her life yet she soon realizes that so much life was going on as she exclaims "do any human beings realize life while they live it, every every minute". This is how I felt on this special day and  whenever I have the opportunity to do my grandfathering activities of being with one of the precious eight. I try to pause from all the distractions. and "realize life".
Children force us to examine our own life and the true purpose of our lives while making it evident all that we have to be thankful for in our world.
I knew from the day of his birth that God's hand was  upon Luke Thomas' life and that he has been chosen for a very special purpose. The Lord has a great plan for him that will unfold as he grows. There is something very special about Luke, his life, and what he is becoming.
Well today is Luke's special day. We celebrate this day and the person of Luke, and I recall all the special days that he has had and give thanks that we have this wonderful person and grandson.

First day of school, PapaTom & Luke Thomas

Luke on our special day golfing

Why a Blog? Why a Grandfather Blog

There are so many things to Blog about in today's crazy world- wars, the economy, politics, Health Care, Cleveland Browns, Indians........well that is so very depressing. I have learned that life holds treasures for those who take time to seek and discover hidden beauty. There is nothing more precious than a Grandchild! We can debate whose love is greater a parents or a Grandparents but there is no doubt that the love of a Grandparent is very uncluttered, unobstructed, and free from the many parental worries and distractions. A parent is  filled with massive amounts of nervousness and worry about how their child will develop. "Are they smart, will they have friends, are they at grade level, can they play sports, what should i Do, did I do the right thing for their development....... Every action therefore is full of concern and parental evaluation.These great worries detract from the pure enjoyment of the moment and the child. I know because I experienced that same great concern. A  Grandparent realizes that no matter what happens each child will "turn out" wonderful if they are loved. Love covers every mistake we make as parents. Grandparents can enjoy the beauty in each experience and moment, even in struggles, difficulties, and even "failures". So I think Grandfathers need an opportunity to share their feelings and thoughts on being the "Grandpa, Papa, Pa" or whatever is their special name . So my first blog is dedicated to the most important people in my life outside of my wife of thirty nine years. Jake, Luke, Grace, Nate, Catcher, Ellie, Louisiana and Hope. This is for them and all Grandparents who share this same deep love and appreciation.

Hey Tom, What are You Up To?

I keep getting asked on calls and emails “what are you doing” or a similar “what are you up to” so I thought I’d send a Tom Sawyer update.

I have never sent one of those holiday letters about family activities but thought that in the new web age this might be something someone ,may read and share when asked “Hey,, have you heard what Tom is doing”. If you despise this, I apologize but I have time and love to communicate as you may know.

Remember when Tom, Huck & Becky were lost in the cave and then when Tom & Huck were floating down the Mississippi on a raft. Well that is a little how I am feeling now –wandering about and wondering about life…. There was a very happy ending ahead when Tom marries Becky and lives happily ever after, ( actually not in Mark’s books but in real life) so I am very confident that new beginnings are ahead and life will be even better than before if that is possible.

I have been very busy upgrading my computer and web skills from the newest excel word/ vista versions to all social media sites including facebook, twitter, blogs, vimeo & picaca, for photos & movie making, as well as Linkedin & Plaxo of course. I have become quite proficient and if you are a novice I would be happy to share. I have “attended” a number of webinar’s as well as local business meetings.

I have also contacted and spoken with many former colleagues and friends whom have been on my “people to call” list and some that had even slipped from my memory.

Certainly you know that I have spent some evening time, now that I am not traveling, with the grandchildren as well as with my Mom who is doing quite well for 84. I also have been able to participate in many activities at my church.

Mostly I have interrupted Becky’s structured life but she allows me to still occupy my small space in the house , if I am quiet and do not disturb her much, especially on Thursday nights ( some special non news, history, animal, food shows that I have no interest in).

Also I have been able to spend some time at Jonathon’s The Greenhouse Tavern (.com) and offer my free retail sage advise and consultation as well as judge the ever changing menu.

I have discovered that when not traveling it is soo much easier to workout and diet so my health is very good and I have lost some weight and eaten well but very healthy ( no white starches).

Most of my time is spent on the PC, the web and the phone so I am suffering from some version of personal contact as well as something like flight deprivation.

I have taken time for revitalization, rejuvenation, and re-prioritization and feel ready to attack life with a vengeance again.

My career campaign strategy has been to make it known that I am available to a lucky company and that now is the time to upgrade since the Free Agent market is loaded with talent but some very fortunate company will get the dedication of the very best top performing free agent available ( clue- initials are TS). I have spoken with numerous people and am feeling quite confident about future prospects.