Yesterday (sorry it's late) was my Dads 60th Birthday! I still think he looks not a day over 45 but maybe I'm just bias. I think my dad is the coolest person in the world. Not only is he my dad, but he's a great husband, role model, supporter, best friend... basically all the things you would wish for in a parent. I'm so bummed I wasn't there to spend yesterday with him, but it just means we'll have to have a huge party to celebrate when I'm back :) Happy Birthday Pops! You deserve the best, because thats what you give of yourself. I love you!

My dad sent me this yesterday and I think its the sweetest story of love and courage. Enjoy.

I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, "I love you, and I pray you enough."
The daughter replied, "Mom our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too Mom."
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed be in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'
'Well... I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away and has her own busy life. I have some challenged ahead and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what the means?
She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused for a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'
Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everylasting. I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest joys in life may appear bigger. I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. 

Then, she began to cry and walked away.

Happy Weekending, I pray you enough.

 

Yesterday my heart was heavy as I re-watched all the coverage regarding the 10 year anniversary of September 11th. I sat on the couch as I watched daughters, sons, wives, husbands and parents read the names of their loved ones who died on that day. I was brought back to tears as I heard George W. Bush read from the Bible, looking for courage and strength in those words. I felt as if it was 10 years ago, and I was seeing those images for the first time. In the midst of incredible emotion, there was solace in the strength of all the victims, the strength of the city of New York and the strength of the United States.

After the memorial in the morning, it was so incredible to watch 2 football teams and all their big, bad football players come together, salute the flag and sing the words to our National Anthem. It's proof that regardless of the amount of hate that was displayed on September 11th, the United States will join together, hand in hand, heart and heart, and never forget all the men and woman who died on that unforgettable day. Thank you to those who fought and continue to fight to protect us.

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “  - President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001