A new month

A lot is going on but I've been lazy about blogging, I guess because it all seems so trivial in the grand scheme of life. I am glad it is the last day of November as this has been an emotional month. I was surprised at how much my father's passing effected me ... not in a sad way, but I have thought about him and his widow every day, several times a day. Before this month I would go months on end without either of them crossing my mind.

It was also an emotional month because so many of my co-workers lost their job. The investment industry has especially been hit hard with this depressing economy, and in order to keep a positive balance sheet my employer laid off almost one-in-five workers, including many talented people. If the market sustains another 15% decline then we will probably loose some more. I am very thankful to keep my job and pray everyday for those effected not only at my company but the thousands of others out there laying off too.

I look forward to a fresh new December. I'll close this "thanksgiving month" with a list of things that I am thankful for:
-- good neighbors and friends who invite us to spend holidays with them
-- good health
-- God given talents that I can use many different ways especially sharing with others
-- a job that allows me to provide not only necessities to live but also fruitful things like Christmas presents and nice vacations
-- my daughter, sisters, and other family members who make me feel loved
-- my church and the freedom to worship how I please

On November 1st, my father passed away. My sister said it perfectly when she said he was our father, but not our "daddy." And even though we haven't lived in the same town since 1983, I feel a piece of me has been taken away.



George moved back to his homeland in 2005 with is wife of 20 years. They had lived in Greece off-and-on since 1983. I am very thankful that Riley and I were able to visit them last year (Summer 2007) for a few weeks.

Dad, I loved you a special way and I'll see you again someday.

Welcome to my new blog! I trust that my faithful readers of Yahoo360 will make it over here okay. It's been over a month since I blogged and I feel "unconnected!" A lot has happened in the past month and I feel like I've changed. Hopefully I will be more diciplined in my entries! TTYL!