Saturday Update

          It’s Saturday again, so a bit more casual of a post for you.

          Thanksgiving was busy this year. We started off at my parent’s house for my mom’s famous breakfast casserole and that completely ruined me for our actual Thanksgiving meal at my Great Aunt’s house. We had a good time and besides the weather, it was fun.

          Then we stopped by the hospital to see Stacey’s grandfather and her family. They had a feast there which was a major relief to us. He’s doing okay, but still in ICU. Hopefully he’ll be out and in a regular room today.

          After the hospital Stace and I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Very good. We both enjoyed it and I can’t wait until part 2. My favorite part of the movie was the fricking GREEN LANTERN TRAILER at the beginning!

          That movie looks amazing and appears very true to the comic book source material. It had, of course, Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, but also had brief glimpses of Abin Sur, Sinestro, Killowog, and Tomar-Re. This movie is going to melt my face off. Watch the trailer. Twice.

Happy Saturday!

Christopher 

Scouting Ahead

          The Boyscouts of America is an organization that I fully support. I truly believe that everything they teach prepares young men for the world outside of their parent’s homes. Not only that, I feel like it helps us get more in touch with our roots and helps get our heads out of the suburbs.

          From Tiger Cubs to Eagle Scout I was a member. I learned a ton and made relationships with people that will last a lifetime. I’ve done merit badge weekends, community service Eagle projects, below zero campouts, and summer camps. I earned merit badges from shotgun and rifle, to orienteering and swimming and everything in between. The BSA is a strong organization and I don’t regret a second that I was a member and I plan on guiding both of my boys through their ranks as well.

          The Boyscouts taught me to Be Prepared. The taught me to be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. (I didn’t even have to look that up.) These are the pillars of being a good scout and a good human being. I have never met someone that I thought was too trustworthy. You? I didn’t think so. These are traits that our young men desperately need to have so that they can grow to mold our country’s future; not to mention the various skills that you learn and come in handy. I think a lot of my jack-of-all-trades mentality is due to scouts. I know a little bit about a lot of things – a good majority I learned from being involved with this organization.

          The Boyscouts is also a place to be around positive male role models. It’s a time to be around adults and learn the respect that goes along with that. It’s a time for fathers and sons to bond while fishing or while building a lean-to shelter in the middle of the forest. Mothers definitely have their place too though. Without all of the dedicated mothers there would be drastically fewer Eagle Scouts and the boys who would make it, would most definitely not have pressed shirts and their patches sewn on. Mothers do more than that though. Throughout my experience in Cubscouts, it was predominantly the mothers who were leading and teaching.

          I had an immensely positive experience growing up in scouting and I am so very proud to have hit Eagle Scout. Less than 3% of boys who start Boyscouts (around age 10) ever make it to see Eagle Scout. It’s a big honor, and it’s one I am glad to share with some great men throughout history, great men who I went through scouts with, and even a great man that I shared a room with until I was 13.

Give Thanks

          Today is a day set aside for our country to give thanks for the things that we have. The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and, truly, we have no idea how good we have it.

          We were founded because of religious persecution. We rebelled because of taxation. We tore ourselves apart because of states’ rights. We survived an economic meltdown. We helped the allies to a stunning victory. We put men on the moon. We have rallied and become stronger during our darkest times.

          Be proud of what this country is and what it has done in its short history. Be proud of our ancestors for blazing the trail to freedom, independence, and wealth. Be proud of the granite resolve of the American people. I give thanks for this country and those who have molded it and fought for it for over 200 years. We have our faults and our missteps, but we’re still the greatest country on this planet.

          I give thanks to my family. My parents and grandparents for creating a moral and ethical basis for everything I believe. Without Frances and Bernard, my father wouldn’t be who he is. Without Thomas and Pearl, my mother wouldn’t be who she is. These ingredients were thrown into a genetic cauldron and mixed; my sister, my brother, and myself being the result. I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for the strong influence of my parents and theirs. Without my siblings, I would’ve grown up lonely and quiet. I wouldn’t have had anyone to play blocks with in that old trailer. I wouldn’t have had anyone to make up goofy roleplaying games with on long car rides. Sarah and Matthew deserve a great deal of gratitude from me for not only sticking by me even when I’ve been a complete ass, but keeping me grounded and centered.

          Most importantly, I give thanks for my wife. Stacey, without you I wouldn’t have my two boys that are the light of my life.  Without you I would still be floating around lost. You’ve saved me from going down a true spiral of madness and your ability to put up with me and everything that comes along with me is nothing less than astonishing. I know I’m not an easy person to be around some days, but I want you to know that I appreciate you and I thank you for everything that you have done for me and our family. I love you more than words.

          Take a minute today and really think about what you’re thankful for and, if it’s people, let them know. Take in all the turkey you can, but before you slip into that tryptophan induced nap, consider all of the things great and small that have made you who you are and be truly thankful.