IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOU!

I worked the early shift, so I was home by 4:30 pm. After doing some chores in the bright sunlight, I washed up and put some fresh, clean clothes on. As I looked in the mirror, I caught myself smiling in response to a wonderful vision I had: I pictured a young "future grandchild" (I have none yet), giggling and saying; "Grandpa, you look sparkly"! From the mouths and hearts of children, are we so wonderfully blessed.

Well, that's how I felt, "sparkly" at the very thought that based upon the law of averages, God's Will, and that all my grown children will be wed in the months ahead, soon, I'll hear such loving giggles and heartfelt words!

Happy as can be, I drove my wife to our local grocery store like I had thousands of times before. We shopped for the essentials, like we do every week, and returned home. We put everything away, and decided that instead of going out to eat locally (like we try to do once each week), I would go out to KFC and bring some chicken home. Diane (my wonderful wife), had been feeling a little ill, and we both thought it would be better for her to rest, home.

Off I went driving North, the Sun shining (although now getting low in the western sky). No line in KFC, perfect timing, so I was out in a flash, and on my way driving South towards home (the setting Sun now on my right-side).

I was stopped at a very busy local intersection for a red light. The light changed to green for me, and I started to go slowly due to a natural obstacle limiting what could be seen approaching from the left (they now had a red light). As I moved forward with my eyes looking for danger, I was terrified when I saw an approaching car running the light at full speed or faster headed right at my driver-side. I braked and stopped dead, now in the intersection. The car behind me stopped in time too. The car approaching me swerved to his left then to his right, clearing me by inches going full speed. By the time I just turned my head to the right just following his direction into the setting Sun, his car was already 30-40 yards passed me. He, the young man driving, never even stopped!

If there had been any cars coming from the south-side of that intersection at that moment, they would've been hit, I would've been hit, the car behind me would've been hit, cars stopped facing east would've been hit. It would've been terrible for so many!

God blessed so many once again!

I was so shaken up I had to pull off the main road into a parking lot and wait until I settled down before I could make my way home!

I always live each day to the fullest I can as a result of the realization that "life" is a blessing, a gift, that one day "will have an end" as it is now known. But because of my life experiences to date, because of my FAITH and BELIEF in GOD, also have I come to the realization that there is "Everlasting Life" for each of us, different from that which is known by us here.

I regret not one day that I have lived, for if I had not lived it as it had turned out, never would I have arrived at where I am now, never would I have come to know the love of family, the love of friend, the love of Country nor would I have discovered my purpose, my reason for being.

Yes, I am thankful to GOD for once again granting me the opportunity to continue to move forward to experience the joys of that which this day will too bring, and have a dream, a "sparkling" of the joy of that which may come!

When I got HOME, I dared to be me, and hugged those I so love.

I'm YOUR approaching car, so too have YOU now been blessed!

DARE TO BE YOU, for YOU are magnificent, and in OUR World, do YOU, do WE all make difference!

The choice is YOURS to make! Shall we begin?

SATURDAY MORNING, "THAT DAY" HAD ARRIVED.

It is amazing how in a our moment of need, guidance is provided in one way or another. But, will we notice? Will we hear it or see it? Will we feel it? Will we realize it? The choice is ours alone to make.

On Saturday morning, March 29, 2014, I chose to listen.

Like any Saturday, I left my house early before the break of dawn to get bagels. When I was leaving the block, instead of turning right (the normal way to go), I turned left (going in the opposite direction). I traveled West to the next town, turned left again onto a major road. As I traveled South on Patchogue - Holbrook Road in the predawn hours, the road had not a car on it, except of course mine.

As I passed through an intersection, another vehicle appeared from my right, and it stopped at the light (his light was Red). I continued on as I should've since my light had been Green. By the next major intersection, the vehicle I had passed was now next to me on my left. The light was Green, so we continued through the intersection, I doing the speed limit (most people here tend to drive faster than me). That same vehicle (a pick-up truck pulling a trailer) was still next to me, pacing me. I glanced to my left ever few seconds and noticed the driver was waving his arm, and appeared to be shouting through his closed window (and mine) at me, then hand gesturing.

Since we were rapidly approaching an entrance ramp for the Highway, immediately I slowed down thinking he needed to pull in front of me to exit the road we were on, and to get onto the ramp. But he slowed as well, pacing me again.

Together, side by side, we continued on passing the entrance ramp for the highway. We both slowed as the light ahead of us changed from Green to Red.

At the Red Light, stopped, both of us rolled down our windows and he yelled to me; "Hey, I read your book. I really liked it. Thank-you!" The light changed to Green, and he sped off faster than I, both continuing South.

At the next light, I had to turn left (East), if  I was ever going to get to the bagel shop in time to get the bagels home for breakfast. While I continued East, I searched my memory and realized the man I had just seen, the man whose words I had just heard minutes before, was a man I had known well, but that I had not seen for over 5 years.

If I had not turned left, but had turned right when first I left my block, never would I have traveled West to another town. Never would I have turned left a second time nor passed him as he approached the intersection I was traveling thru. Never would he have seen me nor I him. Never would I have heard his words of praise or of thanks!

You see, firm in FAITH and BELIEF have I always been, sometimes even the faithful have moments when life can seem more difficult than others. Saturday morning was one such moment, and it started when first I woke.

I will spare you the details as to why that morning was more difficult than others, but I know now why I turned left instead of right. I know why "that day" was "the day" I heard kind heart-felt words, why One's Simple Act (O.S.A.) of saying "thank-you" brought joy to my heart, peace to my mind, and warmth to my Soul. For you see, that Saturday Morning I had asked GOD for help, and  "HE ANSWERED"!

So very significant are we all, each and everyone of us, for a purpose do we have!

May you too be firm in your FAITH and BELIEF, for your prayers will be answered, in one way or another. May your choice be to see it, to hear it, to feel it, to BELIEVE IT!

DARE TO BE YOU, for YOU are magnificent!

Shall we begin?

COINCIDENCE OR BY HIS DESIGN, WHAT SAY YOU?

It is amazing how things happen as they happen throughout our lives, and when. In retrospect, often if you are one firm in Faith and Belief in God, you glimpse a pattern and come to the realization that there was more at work than mere coincidence or circumstance.

On Jan 24th, 2014, I was laid off from my job. Between the commute, the hours at work, any mass transit delays, seldom was my day away from home shorter than 15 hours. Due to severe weather events, of which we had many so far this winter, sometimes 18-19 hours was common. Loss of job, opportunity gained!

There was I when needed, at the right time, and at the right place! Had I not been laid off when I was (in-between two snowstorms), mountains of snow would've blocked my driveway instead of being cleared down to the pavement, and I would not have been in the position to assist my daughter and the love of her life to move to their first apartment on the two only sunny and dry days in a 10 day period. The severe weather allowed availability for truck rental exactly when I needed it, no wait!

With the movement of each piece of furniture, each personal belonging, the flood of memories and emotion had time (for we were not rushed as we would've been) enough for those moving to capture that which was dear, and embrace it, and accept that which was to come with open arms and pure intent.

The move could not have gone better for all!

And, the storms that followed were met with full strength, full and able muscle, and time to do all that had to be done!

Opportunity was gained to witness and marvel at how remarkable my wife is; Balancing demands of home, of family (her listening and her guidance to grown children when needed, caring for an elderly Mother living in a distant town, balancing diminished resources, her patience with a now at home husband without a job), all while still working with a classroom of children daily with warmth and love. "Amazing", so fortunate am I!

When my daughter had to travel away for business, I was in a position to be of physical assistance to those she loved that were here as they went about their day, as it was needed. So very wonderful was that, for the timing could never had been known in advance, and the availability could not have been better or more timely.

With many applications for employment submitted, the delay in response opened the opportunity for time and discussion with personnel well respected that I had previously worked with. A vision of possibility illuminated an overcast sky, and delighted my heart (for in such high regard were these fine people held). The possibility of re-employment was discussed, and further conversation may very well prove fruitful!

Bill Gates was known to have said: "Formal Education will make you a living; Self-education will make you a fortune." With the time and necessity now at hand, I fed the fire of eternal hunger for Self-education, and my fire within burns ever so strong, my being absorbing all that I touch, happily! My mind seeing as it was meant to see, that which I am capable of to full extent!

So grand is life, when once we choose to live it with purpose clear, and pure intent, with no self imposed restraints or self doubt. With true FAITH and BELIEF that never do we walk alone, trusting in God, and in ourselves, there is but one choice worthy of merit, to live life and not merely be a witness to it!

My choice is clear, to Live as I was meant to live; I dare to be me!

 What is YOURS, will YOU choose that which calls from within your mind and heart, will YOU dare to be you? For you, are significant!

Our World is all the better for us choosing to be that which we were meant to be! Shall we begin?

"AND IF I'M AWAY FAR FROM HOME"

And if I'm away far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     as is GOD, this do I say.

Who would've thought when first we met,
     how simple and drawn would be our intent,
For we danced as if one throughout the night,
     and when apart no longer were we right.

And if I'm away far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     as is GOD, this do I say.

Never for the life of me,
     did I expect a love with such intensity,
For in my heart, and in my Soul,
     you've rocked my World and made me whole.

And if I'm away far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     as is GOD, this do I say.

Always will I honor you,
     I swore an oath to you alone will I be true,
Day or night it matters not,
     forever are you within my heart.
Our love is endless, as is time,
     we celebrated with friends and some wine.

And if I'm away far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     as is GOD, this do I say.

I stand for you, I stand for me,
     I stand for Freedom and Liberty.
I stand for that which I believe to be right,
     even if that stand means fight.

And if I'm away far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     as is GOD, this do I say.

And with my Brothers in Arms should I FALL,
     may you and others stand so tall,
For to you and GOD have I been true,
     Living Life as I was meant to.

And if now in Heaven far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     and forever in my heart will you stay, as will GOD, this I say.

So blessed have I been,
     so blessed are you too,
So now you go on,
     and do what you want to!

And if now in Heaven far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     and forever in my heart will you stay, as is GOD, this I say.

And if now in Heaven far from home,
     don't you worry I'm not alone,
For you are with me night and day,
     and forever in my heart will you stay, as is GOD, this I say!
   
     

HEAR AND FEEL THE ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYER...

Undeniably, and without question, it is near unbelievable the strength, the resolve, the power, the ability of the spirit of that which is within each and everyone of us to overcome adversity, fear, pain, heartache, loss, obstacle, seemingly overwhelming and crushing odds of fact or fantasy with but the assistance of two things that are never further from each and every one of us than that of each of our own hearts;

FAITH and BELIEF in GOD!

Again I say to you via written word in answer as to how often I am asked, "Why do I continually write so often of FAITH and BELIEF in GOD?", because on THE DAY when YOU or SOMEONE dear to your heart has near given up, is at wits end, has not a direction to turn, I want YOU and / them to find the answer!

WE are not alone, none of us, not even the grandest of all scoundrels, for such is GOD'S love and hope for humanity (as evidenced with the birth of each and every child, He believes in US), should not WE BELIEVE in HIM.

With FAITH and BELIEF in GOD within us, the spirit HE has given us will triumph, will bear any burden willingly, lovingly, for as long as is necessary until its end does come, AND ITS END WILL COME ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

And so I write, and will continue to write of FAITH and BELIEF so if this be YOUR DAY, YOU SEE IT!

Upon seeing it, as I know some of you in desperate need of it this day will, you follow this simple loving suggestion; Close your eyes, look within your mind and heart, call to the spirit that is within you and pray to GOD above for strength, for guidance. Have FAITH and BELIEVE with all your being that you have been heard, for YOU HAVE, and go on.

You will see a change, you will feel a change, things will happen for no apparent reason (ah but there is, for HIS answer is coming). HE knows that which we are truly capable of, of that which we can endure and overcome, of that which we can master, of that which our love and heart can conquer!

WE ARE NOT ALONE, EVER! Have FAITH, BELIEVE, HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU!

Those to whom need HIM this day, so do I pray, look within and call to HIM. HE is with YOU, and those you so love! You do not walk alone, FEEL HIS STRENGTH, SUCH IS HIS LOVE AND BELIEF IN YOU, IN US!

Shall we begin?

SEIZE THE DAY THIS DO I PRAY FOR YOU...

Injury, accident, illness, failing economy, wrong or untimely business decisions, no matter what the cause or reason given, the result is the same; You woke up, looked in the mirror and said with certainty "No longer do I have a job!"

More wrong could not you be, as was I, for the job now staring you in the face is as plain as can be, "Finding a job" (it is but a job all by its self, and of monumental importance and consequence).

Perspective, such optimism did you have immediately (as I am sure most do), immediately did you make a plan, and you got started. Resume updated, applications filled in and submitted, on your way for sure!

A quick response of future contact, oh how wonderful life can be! One day, then another, all the while still applying and sending applications with resume when asked. Days to weeks, not a glimmer, friends gathering for seasonal events, now embarrassed to show your face (when you have nothing to be embarrassed about).

So very easy is it to let your thoughts go astray, to let self doubt consume you and cloud your judgement on so sunny a day!

Seize the day this do I pray for you (and for myself as well, for in this circumstance am I as well, laid off).

Against the flooding incoming tide of uncertainty, strap yourself ever so tightly to the protected side of your true FAITH and BELIEF in GOD, and continue for as long as it takes, for "this too shall pass", a new beginning will come one way or another. It will come!

Dare to be YOU, for YOU are significant, as am I, as are WE! Shall WE begin?