Sometimes in this life, we do not give appropriate "thank you's" to those people who have helped us along the ways. You may not know how difficult this blog was to write, in that I wanted to have a customized letter for everyone. I just want to go out an give a general thank you to everyone who has made me the man I am today.
I am a person who enjoys making a fun time for all, and sometimes I can use humor as a vehicle to exhibit my care, compassion or love for individuals. If I have upset you by anything I have said or exhibited a long the way, please accept my apology. I do care for most people I meet...especially those which I butt heads with. Most of the time it is due to a case of me being jealous...of you knowledge, success or other trait.
As I prepare and get ready to continue toward the next chapter of my life, for those people who I was blessed to be in classes with, for those who had aided in my educational experience, for those who have cared for me to allow me to visit their homes at a wonderful 2am just to chat to all my friends...even if we do not agree eye-to-eye on beliefs, convictions or (cough) politics...know that I love each and everyone of you individually. You all have you specific purpose in this life, and I would love to celebrate your accomplishments and screw ups with you. Do not worry, we will all screw up. It is simply a part of this life. I have learned to laugh at my mistakes and always learn from them.
With another year quickly winding down to an end with the temperatures changing, all kinds of wonderful foods being baked in the kitchen, festive decorations being placed and endless lines at the shopping malls...What do you have to be thankful for?
I am not trying to make this an "end of the year" blog which I am sure is coming later. This last week, we as Americans celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. As this holiday is not celebrated by all countries, we as Americans joined with our friends and families and reflected our thankfulness for ourselves, our country and many more things.
So far, this year has been an incredible one for me. It has brought many different eye-opening experiences for me as I am sure that it has for you as well. For instance, I have learned a lot about how governments work, what I believe in politically, how to treat certain situations and as always...I get more and more tech savvy each day.
For me, the thing in which I am probably most thankful for is the opportunity to be an individual. To be able to learn, think and act unique from anyone else. The best gift of all is human life. Our life is a canvas, and we are the painter. We have the opportunity to paint whatever we desire. All that matters is what we think and believe to be "art."
What are you most thankful for at this wonderful time of year? What has this year taught you?
I posted to Twitter the other day...Why are we as Americans still dealing with racial issues? Everywhere you go, you can see people smirking towards people of other races, other races appearing to be dominant over another, people being chosen over another because of their race...people disagreeing with one another because a conflict of race...and even the dreaded race card being pulled. Ex: "He said I was (insert race here.) I'm offended!" All of these and many others can commonly be found through websites, Twitter, blogs, media and any other form of communication that we as humans interact on.
I ask why?
In my opinion...generally speaking, think that we as humans are raised or programmed somehow to have out race or a specific race dominant over others. Why can we not just get over ourselves and realize that we are different, have one GOD and love others as Jesus would? Why do we have to place racial discrepancies on everything? Why are we still fighting something that should have been settled years ago? Let's forgive each other and move on. It is what God would desire us to do.
This blog is probably going to be one of the hardest one that I will ever publish.
As some of you may already know, my dog of 16 years passed away a little bit before noon on Tuesday. Her life is a complete miracle. She was diagnosed with a tumor in January of 2008 and was only given at the most six months to live. Needless to say, she lived much longer than that! Hallelujah!
Her name is Dixie. We found her in our yard at the end of the summer of 1993. She is the sweetest puppy you will ever meet. She had a wonderful personality. I know that I could count on her being there after a hard and stressful day.
Her body had developed (what I could consider) a very bad case of arthritis, which inhibited her from walking as well as she used to. She could get up and going, but sometimes she would fall and get stuck which then would require assistance to get up. Her sister, Shadow was very good at reporting that Dixie needed help. It is great how dogs communicate for one another.
Dixie had a rough day on Monday. My mother was telling me that she had started giving a yelp every now and again, which my parents rendered as she could not get comfortable. My mom and dad spent a lot of time with her on Monday night, until she settled down and went to sleep about 12:30am.
The next morning, Dixie continued her yelping. My parents were both very upset at this point. Before my dad went to work on Tuesday, they had discussed what they were going to do for her. My mom spent most of the morning sitting by her side, petting her and just spending time with her. My mom knew that she was not feeling well.
About 11:50am on Tuesday, Dixie took her last breath here with us. Her body was tired after 16 glorious years blessing our lives everyday. Soon after, my mom called my dad and he came home from work immediately. Dad, bless his heart, spent the afternoon in the backyard digging a hole to place her in to rest. They placed her in there with her bed and some rugs that Dixie had around her bed for her comfort. I do not know how they pulled it off, I would have been a complete basket-case if I was there.
Life is a blessing. At the same time, it is a vapor. One minute, someone you love is her, and the next they are gone...at peace. Away from the pains, frustrations and difficulties that this world brings.
I already do and will continue to miss Dixie a lot, as I know that my family is as well. She was a great puppy. We have great memories. She is at rest now. Not suffering or anything. She lived a good life and I am very glad that we got to share the moments we did together. She went to rest on her own. It was not medicated...
Mommy, Daddy and Diana...This is tough for all of us. But I want to thank you for your commitment to her. You are wonderful. I couldn't have even asked for a better family to be a part of. You gave her the best life that was possible, always provided medications when needed and made her be as comfortable as possible while she was sick these last few years. I love you guys. Thank you for everything.
Dixie, I love you girl. I will always have a special place in my heart for you. We will see you again one day. I just know it. I hope you have a peaceful rest.
I have always struggled with them. The go great...then for no reason, always seem to come to a screeching halt. Why? Is it that I give up to soon? Have "tunnel vision" and only want thing to go my way...then they don't and I give up?
I believe the correct answer lies as a combination of the two above. I have a set way that I want things to be...and if someone does not agree with that, I take it personal. I have come to the realization that not everyone is going to be marching at the beat of my own drum and that differences is what makes us all unique.
In the fall of 2008, I had a friend that I was getting close to. A young lad that is an amazing guy. One night, we were chatting on the phone and although it was not the best of conversation topics, (meaning something dear to me) he mistakenly said something that did not settle right with me. Did I at that point ask for clarification? Oh no. I got defensive and offended. Was that the right reaction? No.
Days after that had happened, I felt terrible. But I figured that he had given up on the friendship that we had. He too struggles with Friendships just as I struggle. People come and go...no one is one hundred percent committed, besides him. For that I felt terrible for my reaction to the situation. I battled with this for months.
But I worked through some things, forgiveness was given. Tonight, I had the pleasure of having dinner with him at a very nice restaurant, Copeland's in Buckhead. We had a joyful time of fellowship and then the bitter-sweet moment of confrontation of the events last fall.
During that time, we talked through things, and we are on the road to recovery. God works in mysterious ways, but they always turn out for the best. There are still hurt feelings, but I think that time, trust and love will bring healing.
