Expressions of love can come from the most simple and unexpected sources.

Lat Christmas, I purchased a game that is similar to scrabble called “bananagrams”. It has several small tiles with letters that the players use to create words. We’ve played it many times  and really enjoy it.

This morning when I woke up, I went through the normal routine…letting the dog out, making coffee etc.  When I looked into the living room I noticed the tiles from the game on the coffee table. After a closer look I saw the message my son had left for me after I had gone to bed last night.

What a wonderful beginning of a new day!

Son, you won that game and so did I!

I Love you too!

This is difficult to write but want to share it so others may realize the power of the words from a child.

In October of 2007 my sister called to let me know that our mother was not doing well and that I should make immediate arrangements to get to Washington where she lived.

My mother’s health had been declining and we all knew that the time was nearer than any of us wanted to think about.

I flew to Washington State and am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see my mother one more time and to tell her I loved her before she passed.

My sister and I along with my nephews were all at my mother’s bedside. She had not spoken or made any movements for hours. I wanted my son, who stayed behind to have the opportunity to say goodbye to his grandma who he loved so much.

I called my son and explained to him that grandma couldn’t talk to him but that I would hold the phone to her ear so he could talk to her. I asked him to tell grandma who it was and to let her know he loved her.

I held the phone to my mother’s ear and told Nick to go ahead and speak to her. I could hear him saying “Hi Grandma this is Nicholas, I just want to say I love you”. At that moment the corners of my mom’s mouth curled up and she smiled. My mother passed away a short time later. This was the last emotion I remember my mother making before she passed.

This moment will live in my heart forever.

Never underestimate the power of the words we speak, especially the words from a child.

We love you and miss you!

My son has been involved in youth football now for about 6 years. He loves everything about the game. The competitiveness..the team building…the games…even the practices.

The lessons he has learned about commitment…sportsmanship…to be part of a team…winning and losing will stick with him as he enters into the next chapter of his life.

This weekend as I was driving home from his game I heard this song on the radio…it is a beautiful song with a powerful message.

I encourage you to listen…to reflect…and to take the words of the song to heart.

Nick…I am so proud of you…Love, Dad

Ask yourself “how often?” do I wake early just to enjoy the sunrise?

do I laugh so hard I cry?

do I give a gift to someone…just because?

do I say a kind word to a stranger?



do I inspire someone to be all they can be?

do I take a risk and try something new?

do I put the needs of others ahead of my own?

do I play like a child?

do I call a friend I haven’t spoken to in years?

do I tell my family…I love them?

do I write a personal letter or card instead of typing out an email?

do I watch kids playing at a playground?

do I turn my cell phone off and enjoy the moments of the day?

do I hear a song and cry?

do I say thanks for the people in my life?

do I say a prayer for someone I don’t know?

do I sit and watch the sunset…

do I sit back and say, “my life is pretty darn good”?

How Often?

So, I started cleaning out the garage, which led to the closets, which led to the office, which…well you get the idea.

As I created the different “piles”…a pile for trash, for sale, to donate etc. I was astonished at just how much “stuff” I had accumulated over the years! Much of it I forgot I even had and most I hadn’t used in years.

The more “stuff” I got rid of the better I felt! Even my son got in the act and started donating toys that were once so special to him that have long since been collecting dust in the corner of his bedroom.

Are we as a society addicted to stuff? I think we may be! Think about some of the new TV shows.

“Hoarders” – A show about people who refuse to throw anything away. Some items never even opened, some used with only the empty container left…still they refuse to throw away even the trash in many cases. While some may have mental issues that cause this type of behavior, many of us display this same sort of behavior to a lesser degree. We just don’t think we can live without that “special thing”. Trust me! You can!!

“Storage Wars” – A show about people who buy the contents of abandoned storage units without any idea what is contained in them. They are looking for collectibles or simply items that they can resell for a profit. So we buy all this “stuff”, put it storage and then forget we even have the storage garage!

This is crazy! Think about it!! How much “stuff” do you really use on a regular basis? If you are honest with yourself, the answer will surprise you! You likely only use a small percentage of what you own on a regular basis.

My son and I are downsizing a lot…and I mean a lot! We really don’t want “more” stuff. More to clean, more to break, more to tie us down. As the saying goes…sometimes LESS IS MORE!!

Need some help getting rid of the “clutter”? check out this great book “let go of clutter”