I Did Not Know.......

Some have noticed that my rants are leaning toward the reflective side. I am grateful for those still reading even though this is true. I also thank the small but growing group, that after exploring my outpourings, are discovering that not all bloggers are politico bashing wannabe's or religious zealots. Some of us actually have something to say that is not at the expense of those easy targets the mainstream media and so many blogs seem to feed on.
There are many, so many, that really put it out there. Who share so much, without tearing down others. The Saltonstall's enrich my day often, PJ makes me think, Womom does all that and she makes me laugh. There are many more, so please check out the links on the side over there.
So back to being reflective.

This for a friend who has beaten me to heaven.
I did not know.
When I listened to you playing your guitar at church,
It was the last time the missed chord, the little smirk,
would grace us with presence.
I did not know.
When I talked to you Friday at the store,
it was last time I would hear that laugh,
feel your energy.
I hope there was no harsh word said,
your last day among us.
That too, I do not know.
Yet I do know
I hope to be loved as you.
When I go.
Live every day as your last folks. Treat every person as if every word you speak to them is the last. Every action the one you will remember most.
My definition of ultimate hope:
My mother never says goodbye. Never. She always says "so long" or see you later".
That's optimism folks, it truly is.
Treat every day as your last chance to do the right thing and every conversation as your last one. Take nothing for granted, especially those you love most.
Maybe, just maybe, if we all do that, the world would be that much better when we walk into our last sunset.
Good night Steve Kreber. I am better for having known you.
Peace ya'll
you know the rest................

Replenished

I am back to our wonderful little isle. We were down in L.A. for baby girls wedding.
The trip was an adventure, but I will go into that part of my journey later.
I was blessed to partake in my daughters wedding this past weekend, and while my fellow Kodiakians were being belabored by another winter storm, I was sucking up sunshine down south.
I will admit that I believed that by arriving late onto the scene I would escape the majority of the pre-wedding stress we all have heard about or experienced.
Wrong! My son and I hit the ground running. Fittings for suits, rehearsals, last minute arrangements and details all made me understand why folks drink so much at the reception.
It is a mixture of joy and relief. Joy in the union of two souls and relief that it is over combine into an adrenaline down spin that can only be celebrated with music, dancing, and one hell of a party.
I am happy to see that my daughter is part of a new family. I am doubly glad to know that the rest of our family is now part of that family also. This was not an experience of giving up a daughter for me. It was truly a joining of two families and I look forward to seeing them all again.
We all know that a marriage strengthens the love of two people. However; we can forget that the ceremony strengthens the families and the community that surrounds the couple. I spent the weekend in a place I have never been, but I was never apprehensive. How could I be? I was surrounded by people so full of love that no worry could overcome my joy. Three days submersed in so much happiness and understanding cleansed my jaded soul. No baby cried without being scooped up in the arms of a family member, no person stressed without being consoled. It was a weekend of introductions and joy.
To some this may seem like I met some California cult. It was not so. It was a time I was blessed to spend with honest hard working, family oriented, caring souls. They showed me that I do not have to live on an island in Alaska to know good people.
Thank you to all I met. I am better for having met you.
K. & J. made this possible, their love truly washed over onto so many, and changed their lives.
I never would have believed that I would look forward to seeing California again, but now I do.
I wane sentimental this rant, but it was a magical weekend. The folks I was fortunate to meet, and get to know, strengthened my beliefs.
Do the right thing, do a good thing, no matter how challenging, it will always be the right thing.
Do a good thing tomorrow.
Peace
Griff