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I spent Thanksgiving weekend in Disney World with my girlfriend Dabney and her two kids.

This was a special trip for me not only because I went to Disney, but because I was able to spend the Holiday with my favorite girl and her children…this was our first trip together.

We had a lot of fun plans for the weekend and (if you have ever been to Disney you’ll know what I mean) a lot of activities to squeeze in over a short time.

There was one attraction that I didn’t know existed and it will stand out in my mind forever as one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.

I became a part of the American Idol Experience.

As I’m sure you are aware, the American Idol is geared toward the less seasoned adult. The age requirements for American Idol are 16 to 28 years and I’m just a little bit over that age bracket. Not that I’m old or anything. ;D

On Thanksgiving Day we made our way over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios where The America Idol Experience is a new and popular attraction.

Knowing how I love to perform and how her 10 year old daughter loves American Idol, Dabney talked me into auditioning to be on the show.

So, along with my manager (Dabney’s daughter), I was taken into the American Idol studio for my audition. I was quite impressed with their audition process. I had to sing 3 different songs for 2 different people.

I really didn’t think I would make the final three because they audition over 2000 people a day and only pick 21 people to perform at the park’s version of the show.  I know I can sing but let’s face it; American Idol is for people who are just a little younger then I am.

After I performed my third song, the producer asked me to watch the video screen where I received the news from Ryan Seacrest…I was going to be on the show!

Whoo Hoo!

I received the star treatment from the show. They set me up (and the other contestants) with a vocal coach, hair & make-up (High Def Video) and then had a chance to rehearse on stage.

I love to perform and looking out into that auditorium that seated 1000 people, I started getting goose bumps.

All I was thinking now is WOW, I wish I would have worn nicer clothes.  Really though, who knew? I was at an amusement park, right?  Who knew I’d be on stage in front of 1000 people singing on Thanksgiving Day?

After rehearsal, we had a show run through with the producer. Before I knew it, it was Show Time and I was first to sing. Here are the pictures capturing my experience.

My competitors and I really rocked the house and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

No, I didn’t win, the young 17 yr old guy did. I will say he was a good singer and a fine young man and I wish him all the best. This was his very first experience ever singing in front of a crowd. His parents were very proud of him.

So what’s the lesson here?

As a speaker and coach I am always getting people to think outside of the box and to look at life and business as one great big opportunity. The only limits we have are the ones we place upon ourselves. On this particular day,  I not only had an awesome time performing but I was able to share an experience with a little girl and show her what happens if you just take action and put yourself out there with no worries about the results.  You can achieve anything!

What a great time I had. It was kind of funny because after the show we ran right to the next ride on our list…The Hollywood Tower Hotel.  Along the way people were yelling they voted for me and telling me how much they enjoyed my song. Pretty Cool!

As for me, who knows??

I can add this experience to my portfolio.  Whatever happens, it was definitely a highlight in my life.

I can cross that off my list.

To see some pictures of my American Idol Experience Click Here

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You need to read this email - ALL of it!!

Don’t you hate it when marketers put scary stuff as subject lines and then say….
“It won’t be much longer where this message will become true… In just a few short days (or any day now), We’ll completely sell out of our product!”
It’s a marketing tactic used to create “fear of loss” and get people to take action.

There are two reasons people buy your stuff online:
1. Fear of Loss
2. Desire to Gain

When you are selling things, don’t use false #’s or hype to move your product. Just tell the truth. There is nothing wrong with fear of loss or desire to gain. Are you using them in your marketing?

HERE IS MY FULL DISCLOSURE:

(I am going to try to sell you something in a few minutes, keep your guard up, maybe you can resist me!)
As you may or may not know I am Speaking and Performing at The Midwest Super Conference AND it is NOT sold out.

Jeff Mills the host of the event had sent out an email to the event speakers with a deadline of Sept. 1st for us to give away (YES, I said GIVE AWAY) our complimentary FREE Tickets.

Jeff is the ONLY event host that I know of that gives his speakers FREE passes to the event that we can offer our friends, subscribers and clients. Jeff has even made a special invite video just for me, check it out

Watch the Video

HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE:

I’d hate for the so many well intentioned friends to be missing this incredible free event simply because they procrastinated to the last minute, therefore paying 3 times more to attend! I’ve talked with DOZENS and DOZENS of people who told me they were getting tickets, but - if you Snooze you pay more!

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 1, 2009.

On September 1^st, I can no longer offer free tickets to the event (if it has not already sold out by them).
Standard tickets will become $297 just to attend the event. VIP tickets will become $597 just to attend the event.
If you act right now… I mean today - you can still be one of the last people to get a free ticket or VIP ticket to The Midwest Super Conference. (hint: the VIP ticket is the way you really want to go)

So, let me ask you….
How come you have not got a ticket yet?

Now, think very hard before you give yourself access to make an excuse, because just about ANY excuse you give me is going to most likely be… lame.
It’s a cop-out… excuses like….
Drumroll Please…

#1. I don’t have any money.
(umm… the conference is free Einstein… zero cost.)
Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

#2. My spouse said I had to stay home and re-sod the front lawn.
(ok… what’s more important? A step by step blueprint from several millionaires on how to become a millionaire or replacing your grass? Let it wait another week, this is kinda a big deal. Your spouse will thank me and you, when you’ll learn how to get OTHER people laying your heavy, messy grass sod, while you sip Pina Coladas on the beach in Fiji.)
Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

#3. My gout has been acting up lately….
(Ok I know some people with gout… it’s not pretty. Sure…it can be downright painful. So, stop eating the bad food that inflames the gout for goodness sakes. As a VIP attendee, we promise to serve food that will not inflame your gout. You’ll get 4 networking meals with the speakers and other VIPs.)
Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

#4. I’ll just stay home and watch the online replays/stream….
(Well, yes, it’s true, we are streaming the conference live, but I’ll tell you.. the NETWORKING is the super benefit most people miss by NOT attending events.
Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

#6. I Don’t Believe any of the stuff the people you have speaking will help me. I bought so much stuff before that I am overwhelmed….
(Ok, I hear ya, been there, done that too. But… You are simply WRONG - Look at the results people have had from our speakers, these results are NOT TYPICAL but they are certainly POSSIBLE, when you take the right action.)

“…Enabled me to go from 0 to $475,000 in 174 days!” - Ann DeVere

“I earned over $190,000 from this information” - John Roney

“In 90 days I’ve made $183,000.00 - on course to my first million in 180 days” - Declan Barnett

Here is what one of my very own Coaching Clients had to say…
“I’ve been able to take one small idea and increase our business over $150k in as little as 3 months.” - Ron Ptak

The question is, do you want results like these?
If the answer is YES, click on this link and get started. Book your airfare, get your hotel room booked, and reserve your place now.
Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

Now, you know SOME of these are silly excuses, and I am sure you can think of better ones, and believe me…

I’ve heard some doosies from well meaning people, who don’t understand they need to start making money instead of excuses.
Let that sink in for a nanosecond….

You have two choices in life - You can make excuses
or
You can make money

But you CANNOT DO BOTH!

So, right now, click on the link below and get your ticket, no excuses allowed, by this time tomorrow, if we sell out today, You will be seeing a message that says…..

“The Midwest Super Conference is SOLD OUT”

Only this time it will be for real…. Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

If we don’t sell out by Tuesday, and you are coming, you’ll pay 3 times more to be hear, simply because you did not take fast and furious action after you read this post.
DO IT NOW!
Peace & Power,

Vic Maranto
The Personal Development Network

PS - Early Bird Ticket deadline is Sept 1. On Sept 1, tickets will go up to $297 for standard tickets and $597 for VIP tickets.

Click Here for Your FREE Ticket.

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I have some great news so I’m sending this email
out to my entire list of friends, clients & subscribers.
This is a time sensitive and is limited to the first 20
people who take action and this email is being viewed by
over (20,000+) twenty thousand people.

To go directly to the video Click Here

I wanted to let you know I’ll be in Minnesota,
Sept 11-13 speaking and performing at
Jeff Mills’s 4th Midwest Super Conference this
year and he’s authorized me to give only 20
free tickets to his $997 event this year.

The speaker line up is one of the best out there,
even better than what you’d find at $2000 or $5000
seminars. So, I hope you are one of the lucky 20
that get to claim your free ticket as my guest!

Also, take a look at the speaker line up, their topics,
as you’ll see it’s very relevant topics that you’ll
not find in ebooks or home study courses.

It’s stuff you just have to experience live, face to
face in a big room filled with people who share the
same passions as you do about online marketing
and making more income in 2009.

I hope we can meet there!
Here is a special page for you to get your ticket:
Watch video and to get your FREE
Ticket while they last. Click Here

Peace & Power,

Vic Maranto

PS - I wish Jeff was giving out more free $997
tickets, but the room is small (only holds about 300 people)
so that is all he can do, if you can make it,
you need to hurry and get the tickets before everyone else on
my lists grabs them up and there are none left.

Click Here to get your FREE Ticket while they last!

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I want to take this moment to share a story with you about my life and a health issue I faced just  this year.

If you have ever read any of my posts, you know that in the past, I have shared some really personal and private feelings with you.

Today, I am going to share something that I had never planned on talking about.  My story that follows is very personal and frankly it is something that I have wanted to put behind me. If you know me at all, you know I always focus on the positive.  So in not talking about this experience in past posts, I was simply believing that I as only focusing on the positive.  Things have changed…because ultimately, while being faced with a very difficult health scare, I have found an amazing opportunity I feel I must share with you.

In November of 2008, I went to a doctor’s appointment to get a mole removed. When the doctor examined the mole he let me know that the mole was normal yet, he would like to remove it.  However, as he was looking at my face, he made the “hmmm” noise. I said “what hmm”? He said, “Give me a minute”….

Next, the doctor pulls out an instrument which looks like a telescope and straps it to his head…a very intimidating piece of equipment…and I got a strong feeling of concern. What he said to me next stopped me in my tracks. He said, “Mr. Maranto, you have the beginning stages of skin cancer”. All I heard him say was Skin Cancer and my mind starting flying.  All I kept thinking about is I’m not done here yet. There is so much I need to do…  This may sound corny but it’s the truth. I then thought, “OK, I’m fixing this so what is my first step?”

The Doctor told me that I had to begin applying a Chemotherapy cream, which is a topical form of chemotherapy. Next, I was shown pictures of what the medication was going to do to me. My entire face was about to completely lose a few layers of skin. Of course, before that was to happen it was going to look like a giant scab. This entire treatment was going to take about 3 months for me to complete. After the treatment, I was going to be super sensitive to the sun. Again, if you know me, I love being outside and on the water. I’m on a Cruise lecturing 3 to 4 times a year, I am an avid sailor and I have a power boat I use often.  It’s obvious that I love the sun and water. Needless to say, my life was about to change a great deal.
As I told you earlier, I am a positive man.  If you give me lemons, I WILL make lemonade.

The reason I have decided to tell you about this personal part of my life is because I was introduced to something that has made a huge difference not only in my skin, but in my business success.

In June my partner Dabney told me of a business opportunity she had been invited to join. This opportunity was in the beginning stages and she thought I should get in with her. She stressed that this was an amazing, proven, pharmaceutically based skin care product.  She was telling me about the product and frankly I wanted nothing to do with it. She told me that the company is in pre-launch and we could both enter as founders. I know a lot of people who are in Multi-Level Marketing programs (MLM’s) and are doing great. The fact is that I’ve been swamped with my Coaching and Speaking engagements and I really didn’t have the time to get involved with anything else. And truthfully, I have never been a fan of MLM’s.

With a smile, Dabney told me to try the product and went on to pursue the adventure on her own.  So I decided to give it a try. I have been using this product for a month now and all I can say is Wow! My skin has done a complete 180 degree turn around. This product has changed my life.

In addition, I’ve sat back and watched Dabney’s success skyrocket. Within 2 days, she had a return on her investment.  Within one week she received a check for $2,800 and they have been rolling in ever since.

I thought Hmmm, Am I missing something here?  Since Dabney took a leap of faith with her equally successful friends, she has made thousands of dollars in a very short time.  Her team is growing rapidly, she attended a founders meeting in Chicago, and she is having so much fun while she is working this program.

You see I also know that my sweet Dabney is a very busy person.  All of this is taking place while she continues to work on her successful coaching business. She’s a single Mother who runs her home and has two very active and busy kids and a crazy dog. Again, I thought Hmmmm…..  How is she doing all this? It is not taking up much of her time. I know she has acquired most of her team through facebook and twitter. This amazes me because not too long ago she was a complete stranger to marketing herself online. She has always had a successful offline career and it wasn’t until this last past year that she has been bringing her business online.

After  taking  all of this all into consideration, I have decided to Join forces with my partner Dabney. I figured with my coaching, I can teach anyone how to market this opportunity online and off.

Look at my pictures below!

Having a good sense of humor I tried to make jokes about my appearance. My Boy’s were calling me hamburger head. I really don’t think I’m a vane person and at the same time this really affected my outlook. I became shy and depressed. I was stuck indoors, I had to cover my face when I drove my car. Not only because I was scaring the other drivers, but because the sunlight would put red blotches all over my face. This is while I was driving!  I thought “Oh my god! I’m never going to be able to go outside again!” After the treatment, the skin on my face was so easily affected by every element know to mankind. The heat, the sun, the cold, the wind, everything! When I swam in the ocean for the first time in May, my skin literally felt like it was about to shrivel up and burn off. I can only compare it to when you throw salt on a slug. It was awful!

I started using Skincerity in about a month ago. For me the results were noticeable 3 days after I started applying the product. My skin started feeling hydrated and the dryness was gone. In the last month I have been to the Florida Keys boating, I spent a few days at a lake boating and I just got returned from a 9 day cruise to the Caribbean. Of course I am taking the proper precautions that I should have been taking in the past. I am using a high SPF suntan lotion and wearing a hat while I’m out in the Sun. My last month was pretty crazy with my schedule and all of the traveling I was doing. I am happy to report that my skin is in better shape than it was last year this time and definitely better than it was two months ago. I believe in this product so much I am jumping in and joining my partner.

So, what does this mean for you? Well I’m glad you asked. ;D
I am a coach and a business consultant. My Coaching & Consulting programs have changed lives. Here is what one of my Clients had to say…

Even if you do not want to work this as a business you should get involved just to get the product. The product is the staple and the main reason I am in this program. Lets’ face it though, I am a business person and I’m smart enough to know when there is a great opportunity.

Now is the time to get involved!

To get more information about this opportunity go to NuCerity Marketing.com (Be sure you sign-up to see the video I made, It’s Time Sensitive) or call 410-808-0216 or Click Here to email me.

Here is what I’m offering:
An opportunity to join my team at a Gold Level Founders Position. This is an unheard of opportunity in the MLM industry and founder positions will close on Friday, July 31st. Imagine if you got involved with Mary Kay at this level? You would have a Fleet of Pink Cadilacs. The people who entered Mary Kay, Airbone etc at as a founding member are all sitting back making 6 figures simply on residual income alone. To get more info in the Gold Level Founders Position. and the importance this go to NuCerity Marketing.com

This could be YOU!

Join my team and I’ll provide YOU and Your Team with my Exclusive Coaching Program.
I’ll provide you with scripts. Process maps on how to market online and offline. I’ll teach you how to set up this business and build your own team.

In addition you will get access to:

• Our Exclusive Personalized Training and Support
• Membership to our Exclusive Team Group Page on T.P.D.N.
• A Lifetime “Gold” Level Membership to The Personal Development Network
• Plus many more Bonus’

Keep in mind this does require YOU to take action. So, Take Action Now an Contact Us

To learn more about this product go here: Nucerity Marketing.com

Check out the Pictures of me below. This was only after week 2 of the 4 week treatment. I left the really gross ones out but I think you will get the point.

To your financial freedom, healthy skin and living a prosperous life.

Peace & Power,
Victor

Nucerity Marketing

The Personal Development Network

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Two days ago we were in Bermuda. I decided to surprise my Son and rented a couple of scooters to tour the island on our own. I wanted him to experience the local beaches and be able to swim in the crystal clear water. I’m having issues uploading pictures onboard and will do it when I get back so keep your eyes open for them.

 I’m on Day 5 of my Cruise and I gave my 2^nd of 4 lectures yesterday. I had a room full of eager passengers wanting to learn how they can overcome any Fear or Phobia in 8 minutes or less. I had some challenges this lecture but all in all great results.

Today we arrive in St. Maarten and we are going to do some Jungle Zip-Lining and off to airport beach. If you have never seen this place it is awesome. The airplanes look as though they are going to land on the beach, just amazing!

This morning I remembered just why I love being out at sea. I watched the sunrise and it was a cloudy morning but the view was spiritual.

Well I’m off for now. Have a great day!

Peace & Power,

Vic

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Well I’m back out on the Explorer of the Seas. On this trip I am scheduled to give 4 different lectures. I gave my first one yesterday to a great crowd.

I love this Gig and am truly blessed to get to travel the world and talk. the opportunities in life are amazing if you know how to talk to people. More on that later…

We arrive in Bermuda this morning and we are spending the day snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. Then we are off to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and San Juan before heading home.

I’ll keep you posted with some pictures soon. I have some great new additions we will be adding to T.P.D.N. so be sure to keep an eye open.

Until Then…

Peace & Power,

Victor

Join The Personal Development Network, it’s FREE

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Yesterday, the World Lost a Wonderful Person….

No I’m not talking about Michael Jackson, Farah Faucet or even Ed McMahon.

Not to short change the contribution that these individuals made to the world at all, they were iconic individuals but the person I’m referring to was much more iconic, in my world. The person I am referring to is my Father-in-Law Tom or “Grampy” as my kids called him. Out of respect I’ll refer to him as “Grampy” for the rest of this post.

I’d like to tell you about “Grampy” and how this individual affected my world.

I first met Grampy around the age of 7 or 8 years old. He was a city Police man who rode a horse on patrol. I was a spoiled kid, a real smart ass you might say. There were a bunch of us actually that would hang out in the neighborhood. Grampy lived across the street from my Aunt and Uncles house where I spent 90% of my childhood. I was an only Child and from a very close family. My Mother had 13 siblings and extended siblings that lived in the same house when she was growing up so during my childhood we were all close but the Aunt and Uncle I am referring to here had 4 Boy’s and they lived close by so I hung out at their house pretty much my whole childhood. As a kid I remember Grampy coming home from work in his Police uniform and his riding boots. He was a huge man in size, very tall and broad. He would always give us a hard time about something. Maybe we took too long getting out of his way when he drove down the street or played kickball too close to his car. It always seemed like he was coming down on us. Now of course we didn’t deserve this sort of treatment. ;D So one year on Halloween we decided to soap the windows of his car and I (yes me) threw and egg at his car which of course cracked and laid on the paint overnight. The next day when he saw his car he went nuts and my co-conspirators of course rolled me under the bus. Grampy called my Father (who for the record has only yelled at me 2 times in my life, this being time #1) and he punished me for I think about 3 years or so. (I won’t go into details about that) but I embarrassed my Father and I learned a valuable lesson.

So let me fast forward….

Grampy had a beautiful daughter who I eventually dated for about 3 years in my teens (My first Love) and after a 6 or 7-year separation I ran into her, we became friends again dated and married. Together we had 2 beautiful children. (Boy’s)

I was fortunate enough to have 2 sets the best loving Grandparents for my children. Both of my parents are still alive, they are like “The Fockers” in “Meet the Fockers” or sometimes like George Castanza’s (from Seinfeld) parents. Either way it’s always a hoot spending time with my parents and I am blessed to still have them in my life. This story is not about them though it’s about Grampy.

I was one of those rare people who actually liked their in-laws. My mother-in law (Theresa) was a Saint. She never raised her voice and was the kindest, giving person I have ever met. She adored my boys and was taken from us way too soon. She passed on November 13^th 1994 and has been missed and thought of every day since then. My Boys were only 2 and 4 years old. When Theresa passed “Grampy” spent more time with us. Over the years, Gramps and I became closer, we would Golf and Fish together and do different things. He would always be there to help if we needed him. There were times when we would butt heads and said things we would regret or at least I know I did but I think that makes us normal to a point.

What made Grampy so special to me is the investment of time he made with my Boys. I was off making my mark on the world and supporting my family Grampy was raising and teaching my boys things about life. He would tell me, “Vic you’ve got to keep them busy”. Get them out into nature and teach them the ways of the land and life. (Gramps was an outdoorsman, he grew up in the Mountains of Pennsylvania.) I remember thinking I’m working 6 days a week 12 to 13 hours a day. When in the hell am I going to do that? Grampy taught my Boys how to fish and hunt. He taught them the things I didn’t know which in turn they taught me. Since my older son was 10 he has baited my hook, took the fish off the hook, cleaned and cooked the fish. Both of my Boys have a love of the outdoors and nature and I give Grampy 100% credit for that.

After being married for 15 years I realized that I was not happy in my marriage. On the outside I had everything. A beautiful family a beautiful home, a house at the beach and a job that paid very well only I was never around, I worked all the time. I was unhappy, crabby you name it. I had become someone I didn’t know or even like. In 2002 my marriage ended. I swore to my wife at that time that I would always be there for her and my boys. In fact I wanted 50% custody of my boys. I made it clear to them that I loved them and wanted them with me all of the time. I NEVER spoke badly of their Mother and always defended her and took blame for the divorce. I needed to go back to my roots, rediscover myself and live a life where I would be in control of my happiness and do what I wanted to do in life.

Needless to say that in the beginning the separation and divorce drew a lot of lines in the sand. It was a very emotional and messy divorce. Things were said and assumptions were made about me, I pretty much lost all of the people in my life that I thought were friends but I knew that in the long run I would come out living a more productive happier life. Selfish, maybe but let’s face it. When you are not happy it’s easy to make everyone around you miserable too and that is what I did. Throughout the whole divorce and over the last 6 years Grampy wanted nothing to do with me. Yeah he was cordial around my boys but they could even feel the tension. I always wanted things to be the same and Grampy was a devoted and loyal Father. I’m sure he felt as though if he was nice or still cared about me it would upset his daughter and I respected that. Besides, he was still an awesome grandfather to my boys and very involved in their lives. I have said many times and this in no way is meant to be disrespectful to my own parents that Grampy is the best grandparent a kid could ever ask for. He was not only a teacher, mentor and a grandparent, he was their friend. Any parent that loves their children would not only appreciate that kind of relationship they would welcome it.

Over the last 7 years my relationship with my Ex-Wife has been at best Ok. We have not always seen eye-to-eye on things and for the most part we have been successful at keeping a united front in raising our boy’s. Would I like to be friends again? Sure, I’ve known her since I was 8 years old and no matter what happened or what was said she is the mother of my children. I’ve always loved her, our marriage just didn’t work out.

Toward the end of last summer (08) some things started to change. Grampy called me one day and asked me to look at a boat with him that he was considering buying. I of course agreed and we both along with my younger Son went to look at the boat. He was so excited about this boat. He must have said 20 times over that weekend that he had always wanted a boat like this. Not being around him on a regular basis I could see he was not himself. He seemed slower and weaker, not the tough man I remembered. He bought that boat and for the next month or so into October he got to sail on it. He never wanted to drive the boat he would make my Son. I would trailer it to the ramp and get it into the water and my younger son would take him out. They would cruise up, down and around the river. Grampy was in heaven on that boat. From the time he set foot on the boat till the time he got off, he was smiling. At one point my son asked me, “Why are you being so nice to Grampy?” I reminded him that I loved Grampy and he is his grandfather and the best grandfather a parent could ever ask for. I reminded my son that I would always be there to help Grampy if he ever needed me. I reminded him that no matter what, we would always be a family and that is what you are supposed to do.

Grampy went into the hospital in October for a minor surgery that led to complications. He ended up staying in the hospital through Thanksgiving. Over the next 7 months Grampy’s health progressively got worse. In March he had to move in with his daughter (My Ex). She was concerned about our Boys watching their grandfather die in their home. I told her that I’d help in anyway and I’d keep reminding the boys that Grampy should be home where he is loved. I also told both of them that if Mom were to ever call and need our help that no matter what, we would leave or drop whatever we were doing and be there. I would visit Grampy as often as possible and we would talk about life, the boys and the boat. Over the last few months our conversation would get deeper and deeper. He knew his time was drawing near although me being the eternal optimist would always say, be quiet, get up off your ass and let’s go. I’d tell him, I’ll carry you, don’t worry about walking. He would smile and say yeah, I wish…

About two weeks ago Grampy got up in the middle of the night, tripped and fell breaking his shoulder. With his condition the way it was they couldn’t do anything. When he returned home his bedroom was now in the living room on the first floor. My Son and I ran cable in and set up his TV. Then we had to move him from the sofa to the hospital bed. Over the next few weeks I stopped up a few times to see him. My boy’s would tell me stories of how they all would sleep downstairs because Grampy would still try to get up in the middle of the night. On Monday June 22 about 11:30 pm my Ex called and told me to wake my son and come to her house. She said that Grampy is bad and we need to come now. That night we were all there. We told Grampy that we loved him and thanked him for everything he had done for us. The next morning he seemed to slightly improve and then all of a sudden he got worse. We called for a priest to give Grampy his last rights. When the priest arrived we were all around the bed. Grampy opened his eyes and looked at the priest with these wide open eyes. It was kind of strange but if Grampy’s eyes could have spoken they were screaming, What The F%#* are doing here? That day he seemed to stabilize so I returned to my home exhausted after only sleeping maybe 2 hours. I returned back to the house Wednesday afternoon and the boys looked wiped out. They had all slept on the sofas again and were up pretty much all night. The boy’s asked if I were staying overnight and I told them I would. I told them to go up to their beds and sleep and I would stay and help Mom with Grampy. This whole night we were up with Grampy. I think I got about 45 minutes total sleep. This is what My-Ex and my boys have been doing for the last 4 months or so. I don’t know how she’s been doing it? The morning was rough and I didn’t want to leave the house. The family dog was very protective of Grampy’s living space. She would inspect everyone and then go to the corner of the room and sit for a few minutes, watch and go to the next corner. She did this in all 4 corners and start over. My son and I had been sitting in with Grampy for about 45 minutes watching him. His eyes were wide open and he was staring at something neither of us could see. His eyes never blinked once during that 45 minutes. I could feel the end was near. I leaned up on 2 different occasions and kissed his forehead and told him it was Ok We’re going to be fine and I’ll take care of everyone. About 1pm yesterday June 25^th an old friend of the family came to the house and a few minutes later My-Ex returned from the store. We all sat around the bed and watched as Grampy took his last breath. He had waited for all of us to be together.

This was an experience that I will never forget. I have never witnessed another person die before let alone someone who had made such a profound impact on my life and the life of my boys.

Needless to say I have a new found respect for My-Ex and I am proud of her for being such a strong person and devoted daughter. What she has endured over the last 10 months is unbelievable. I hope that out of this her anger towards me subsides and she finds happiness. It is beyond any words I could think of to express how proud I am of my boys. They stood by a man who adored them and provided them with the kind of life education that I could never have given them, and they never left his side.

I will truly Miss Grampy, my heart hurts for my Boys and their Mother. Grampy was not the “King of pop, a super model/actor nor was he the co-host of TV Show. Those people couldn’t hold a candle to Grampy. To me Grampy was much more than that, he was my Dad, my friend. He was my boy’s grandfather and best friend and he was the best Father a daughter could ever ask for.

Thank You Grampy, you are loved and will be missed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Just a reminder, Life is a not a round trip ticket. Time is the only thing we can’t get back and doesn’t change in this world. There will always be 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week and 8736 hours in a year.

It’s never too late to make a change in your life. You don’t have to go through a major change like I did. Small changes can lead to big results. Remember there are no mistakes in life just lessons and it’s never too late to learn, forgive and make amends.

Make the most of everyday and tell the people in your life that you love them.

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