Today My Grandson Turns Two

Today my grandson Bobby turns two years of age. Two years ago was such a different world for me personally. My wife was only a couple of days away from beginning chemotherapy, and that brought plenty of anxiety and uncertainty into my life.
Then Bobby was born, and I think it changed everything.
Bobby's entrance into our world launched our wonderful voyage as grandparents. He has given us joy, and particularly has given my wife a reason to keep a smile on her face through difficult times.
We are blessed he chose us as his Ba Noi, a Vietnamese grandmother, and PawPaw, a granddaddy from the south.
We enjoy every minute we spend with him, and will encourage him to be the best person he can be.

To My Wife

Methinks I've been Shot

Bows and hearts were made to be broken
Cupid has flown and left me a token
An arrow he shot upon my behest
The taste of an Angel pierced through my frail chest

The shaft of the arrow so deep did it drive
I felt so much love when it finally arrived
My prayer has been answered, my wound will be cleansed
I’m much more for loving you, my wife….my dear friend

Dreams Comfort Kim

There is a safety and recluse in lying in bed at night and readying for sleep, when the lights go out and the reality of the day slowly turns to nonsensical thoughts. Likened to the feeling of a drug as it quickly passes through the blood brain barrier and finally somehow confuses reality with fiction. The edge between wakefulness and sleep, truth and lies, love and loneliness. Herein lies the ideas that I wish to put into words.
Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner said something I find to be relevant in writing fiction. He said, "Writing fiction is the act of weaving a series of lies to arrive at a greater truth." I wish I would have said it first.
Dreams, comforting, encouraging, revitalizing.

Now comes the hard work

I'm in Atlanta Georgia this week getting the layout of the book and the last minute editing finished. This is taking a little more time than I expected, but maybe if I ever do another book, which I hope I do, it will be easier then.
The weather is quite colder than Florida. I'm not accustomed to 20 degree weather. It will be nice to finish the work here, and get back home. On a positive note, the lodging, and food are wonderful.
I'll be done here by the weekend, and then comes the waiting for the proof which will be another couple of weeks. When that's complete, the book will be published.
That's about it. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

2008 In Retrospect

Why is it I am so retrospective this evening? Probably because my entire family is here and I have reason to feel blessed. Kids running through the house, doors slamming, holding children upside down and having them laugh out loud. Lots of food, and laughter.
What could I have done different to make this year better? Absolutely nothing. My wife may tell you I could have eaten more rice, but that's about it. If that's all the direction that I need, I'll eat more rice in 2009 and hopefully still hold my grandchildren up by their feet and dangle them over the sofa and listen to them scream.
And someday they will recall seeing their grandfather from a unique perspective and knowing that love filled their lives while they grew up to be all they could be.
Yes, I'm blessed, albeit a little rice deficient, but nonetheless blessed.

Freedom Is Not Free

I'm taking time this holiday season to reflect upon my love of America.
We citizens of the United States made history in November by electing the first black President in our two hundred and thirty two years as a sovereign country. It is time that we as a nation look forward and put our fears and mistrust behind us and give a resounding shout of "Yes, we can". We can be far greater than we believe. It only takes you and me and a common goal to live a better life than our Fathers.
As a citizen who served twenty three years in the armed forces I stand absolutely firm in my belief of the American citizen and the freedoms we are blessed with. No other country in the world allows it's citizens the rights we in America are born with. There is still work to do in regards to equal rights for all people, homelessness, and education, but given time I believe a change is coming.
In reflection of religious zealots, I have this to say to you, "you will be defeated." The difference between you and us is that we are inclusive, and that makes us far greater than any threat you possess. You can see my sentiment in a picture that my son photographed at the twin towers site in New York City.
Before I go, let me extend my thanks to all those in the military past and present who gave us all the rights and privileges that come with being an American. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, those who have served, those who still fight, and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. No one wants peace more than someone who has seen war, and for you I wish peace and love, and for those who have yet to find peace, I bid you understanding and the courage to seek it.

August Moon

Earth's lone mirror
illuminates my spirit,
while thoughts of mortality
fill my idle mind.

Your presence awakens me,
brightens my darkness,
commands the ebb and flow of blood
through my dilated veins.

Cold, barren, immortal,
scarred throughout the eon.
What blessings and curses
have you been party to?