Description
Prologue
Well, here I am, almost 81 years old and in awe that I’ve lived this long. I guess, as the saying goes, if I’d known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. I have very few regrets in my life. It has been a lifetime of many blessings and lessons, overwhelmingly positive. I’m not sure why I am taking the time to write this except that I’ve finished writing several books and I’m somewhat weary of writing the same kinds of books that I have in the past. So this is a recollection of memories from my earliest remembrances to today. I’m not sure anyone will care to read this, but that’s o.k. because I find it wonderful to put thoughts and feelings on paper. The fact that my lovely wife, Annie, and I own and operate a publishing business, adds to the thrill of putting my thoughts on paper.
The photos included in this book are much out of date. I think that’s okay because this is a memoir, not an extended essay on current events. Besides, I don’t have many up-to-date images of family.
I tried to arrange my thoughts so they would appear in some chronological order but found it difficult and tedious to do so. Events don’t necessarily happen in a strict continuum. The timelines may also be skewed. They often meld together as a compendium of related recollections, people or events. One must remember that everything written here is from one narrow perspective – mine. You may be familiar with the person or event written about and view it from yet another perspective. That’s fine. You get to do that! You probably will search for what is written about you. That’s only natural. Just enjoy the story as it is written. It is written from a perspective of love.
Epilogue
As a proper epilogue, the only true reaction for me is the gratitude I reflect upon. Here are some grateful thoughts that I can dwell upon for as long as I remain on this planet.
- I am thankful and grateful to have been raised by loving parents who were always behind me and encouraging me in all my endeavors.
- I am thankful and grateful for my spouse, Annie Elizabeth. She has been my rock and partner for the last 15 years. She shares with me her constant smile, positive attitude, sense of adventure and, most of all, a strong spiritual compatibility. She always exhibits her love, nurturing, and care for me, no matter what the circumstance or struggle. It becomes so easy to love and respect her, and I do.
- I am eternally grateful to Susan Weiss, my wonderful spouse of over 32 years! She was an active and supportive partner of mine for all those years. She taught me how to say, I love you. She taught me the joy of raising children and taking risks. She was always supportive of my political, occupational, and social adventures. She remains a fine example of a complete woman and I will always love and admire her.
- I am very grateful to my children, Sean and Matt. They have taught me how to love unconditionally. It doesn’t matter what they do, what matters is the kind of persons they have turned out to be. Both boys, now in their 40s, are doting, responsible, and loving husbands and fathers and are special human beings. They have married well and I am very proud of what they have become. For what else can a father ask?
- I am thankful for my large extended family. My aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins and my two brothers are the foundation of my life journey. I have been blessed by each of them. I think of you all regularly, knowing that your lives have affected me and helped fashion my very being. I love you all!
- I am grateful for the wonderful colleagues and friends with whom I have shared so many facets of my life. These are priceless relationships that have made me a better, more enriched entity.
- I am also grateful to all my teachers; no, not just those that I have experienced in my school years, but those who have come into my life for a reason, season, or a lifetime. I express love and gratitude to those who tempered or challenged my personality and being. They may, at the time, have been seen as hindrances to my development, but I acknowledge that their appearances in my life has allowed me to learn and grow. I know that from their influences I have mellowed and changed. I am not the same person I was 20 years ago. I have learned, for example, that I am not just my physical body, that my true self resides in my etheric body, my authentic self.
Finally, I want to share with you another epiphany. I was questioning Spirit as to what values should I concentrate on to keep my values focused on Spirit, rather than ego. As a result, I got this spiritual download that I have since printed up and distributed to my friends and spiritual colleagues. I wrote this in 2014 and use it as a daily mantra to guide my day.
My Virtues of Spirit
I have GRATITUDE for all that is.
I offer FORGIVENESS to all, for all, including myself.
I extend COMPASSION for all God’s creatures and creations.
I exhibit PATIENCE and ignore the illusions of time.
I choose SURRENDER to what IS allowing the Power of Spirit.
Thus, Spirit immerses me within the sweet perfume of
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE . . . and permeates my soul.
