Well Said

"I love you."

I believe that our entire existence is in that statement.  If there is a phrase that carries more punch in every way imaginable, I can not conceive of it.    

I heard it again tonight. Yes, from those from whom I am accustomed to hearing it. But also...

Kenny has been my neighbor for 11 years. He is a man I like, admire and respect a great deal. He has been having some health challenges recently, so I suggested that my daughter come with me to deliver some special treats she made, and to say hello. As soon as the rest of my family heard where we were headed, they said they were coming along.

I phoned ahead to make sure we wouldn't be intruding, and Kenny was waiting at the door for us with a smile. I'm sure he sensed why we were all there, so it didn't take long for him to give us an update on his situation. And his situation is not good.  He faces some difficult days in the near future, and his days here may be quite limited.

The conversation was serious, but not somber. That wouldn't be Kenny.  He asked with genuine interest about how school was going for my kids young adults, and we enjoyed chatting about our dogs.

When it came time to leave, we all rose and embraced him, one by one. When I did, I told him, "I don't know what to say, but always remember we are just a few seconds away if you need anything."


The reality of it was, I did know what to say. But the conscious, careful, "grown-up" part of my mind just stopped me.  I didn't have the courage.  


But Kenny didn't let anything stop him.  He sent us all home with these words:


"I love you."


May God grant Kenny many more wonderful days, and the rest of us his wisdom and courage.

In The Newspaper

Budget Package Stripped Of Pork, Cost Still Too Big To Calculate

Washington, DC - Senator Grant Hickeys (R-KS) emerged from a Capitol Hill conference today with bad news for his constituents.  “Dinner is most definitely not on us this year.  The provision to give every man, woman and child in America 8 pounds of bacon has been removed from the budget package.  We had the entire Congress working on the bill, adding up the costs, but when we ran out of fingers and toes, something had to give.”  Local reaction was mixed,  “Get the hell off my porch”, said Angie O’Plasty, a retiree in Belton.  Mr. Moo of Olathe believes “there is a bologna in my carburetor.”   A USDA spokesman reminded citizens that government cheese remains available in many areas, and should for some time, since it does not decompose naturally.

Buck Passed

Crawford, TX – Former President George W. Bush expressed his relief today at having “passed the buck” to his successor, Barack Obama.  “You know, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be”, opined the former Commander in Chief in a rare interview. “Two wars, recession, all that stuff.  It’s all his now.  I don’t know what Harry Truman was so afraid of.  It’s not like passing a kidney stone or something.”

Personals

Stinky - Hey, I got rid of the rash.  Bring your jar opener.  Misty

Main Street -  Get off my foot.

Jim – The smell from the storage locker is becoming intolerable.  Call the lodge with the lock combination PLEASE.

If I could fly I would already have your money.  The orangutan was a nice thought though.  Good luck! Crackers

Tall, green and handsome: we shared a malt at the NASA cafeteria, you dropped your laser.  Meet me at Lowes,

Lost dog – It’s been a while now so I don’t really remember what he looks like.  Write to Box 88.

Denise – We dance every day.  We move together in ways I don’t understand, even when distance separates us.  I lead, you lead, step, look, leap, swirl, rest.  Together.  Always together. Sometimes I think I am alone in the darkness, but then you touch me, remind me that we are partners, and that all I am seeing is my own shadow.  Clear or cloudy, warm or cold, fast or slow, we dance.  Reach, touch, breathe, stride, you lead, I lead.  Together.  Always together.

Love, Tim