Dad's prayer at Amanda's wedding... by Dad & FUJim

Dad was invited by Amanda and Ryan to provide the invocation at their wedding reception. He had several wonderful memories of Amanda growing up... we had to pare down the list to just enough to not abuse the moment and still open a window in his his heart. Peg helped edit my end, Barb helped on Dad's end and this is the result.

Dad:

Please Pray with me.

Father...we ask for your blessings…upon all those gathered here to celebrate with Amanda and Ryan….and upon all those responsible for providing the food we are about to share, the music that will lead our dancing, the beautiful atmosphere that surrounds us… and upon those parents who’s happy sacrifices raised these wonderful children who’s union fill this room with joy.

Father…we thank you for our private cherished memories of these children; we each have our own…

I remember blue eyes looking up to comfort me when I was most sad, and little fingers reaching up to take mine and guide me… I remember a young lady standing in her yard, surrounded by flags swirling so fast you couldn’t follow them, with the girl in complete control… I remember high school plays, and the awe of her being someone completely different….

I remember waking up in a hospital bed and finding those same eyes, those same hands, and always an encouraging smile…

Please, each of us take a quiet moment to capture and hold one of our own memories of Amanda and Ryan and let it fill your private thankful prayer……

(Pause for a moment)

Father…you have given us tremendous capacity to love. Remind us daily that love is also a choice. Please help Ryan and Amanda see Your reflection in all ways, particularly in each other. And may Your reflection guide them forever to make the choice of love….

Amen. 

Best Man speech for my brother Tom's wedding

There are perhaps two dozen people or more here who know the two of you better than I and who could offer a toast to recognize and share some special secret of yours. While I truly envy them your friendship, they'll never have what I now have, Linda. You're my new baby sister.

Let me welcome you to your new family:

First there's dad. . . That sparkle in his eyes comes from deep inside. He reveals the lighter side of life, how to take things a little less seriously, how to find a smile, ... no mater what life brings.

Paula is the family social conscience. She'll force you to face your prejudices and admit you love people you didn't know you could.

Sue ... she's our window to innocence and compassion. Kurt, he's gentleness and patience.

Joe ... joy, friendship and wit. Cathy is raw devotion; she's married to Joe! :)

Dan lives life fully; Mo is decisive and directed, but lots of fun.

Pat knows how to be comfortable with his own ideas ... very comfortable. But he always makes you feel comfortable with him.

Diana and Sue will teach you how to have babies ... lots and lots of babies.

Margie is faith, strength, and endurance; Talal knows how to spend lots of money!

Mike will show you how to bloom in your 30's!

Peg is intelligence, and grace. She likes focus and goals. . . and how to instantly like the most expensive thing in the store.

AND ME... . .. always, always remember, I'm your big brother, I've got all the answers, and WHAT I SAY GOES!!!

And there's Tom. Tom will show your enduring love, tremendous affection, and the benefit of giving you all those other wonderful things he gets from his brothers and sisters. It will be your job to bring them out in him.

From our mom we all learned to live life simply and honestly ...and that you are only as happy as YOU choose to be... and that the task of married life is to add charm to your partners life.

So my toast to you is to choose being happy and live a charmed life.

God bless you.

Things I think I think...

Late 1990's...to my high school kids

Things I think I think...

Morality: Accepting bounds to personal and interpersonal behavior based on historical, religious and cultural standards. 

Knowledge: Awareness sufficient to appreciate, understand, interact and exploit the physical and social life environment.

Maturity: Inspiration to behavior motivated by recognition of real consequences linked to behavior.

Discipline: Routine inspired goal focused behavior consistently within personal bounds established to enhance success in achieving the goal.

Responsibility: Behavior focused on preserving, building, enriching and enhancing an asset under one's care, including one's self.


Independence: Self motivated thought and behavior.


Character: The sum of habits, habit the sum of behaviors, behavior the sum of values, values the sum of principles, principles based on the life of Christ.


Parenting: Imparting a character based disposition to moral, mature, disciplined, responsible, independent behavior.


Work: Focused activity to celebrate or develop an interest, exercise mind, body and soul, contribute to or participate in society, and / or acquire an asset or support a lifestyle.


Education: Work focused on acquiring knowledge.


Skills: A proficiency sufficient to create or accomplish at a level recognized by a qualified other as belonging to a specific class or group.


College: Education focused on preparation for jobs and life skills.


Money: A financial medium for valuing work or assets.


Wealth: Financial independence.


The value of a Job: Independence.


The value of Independence: Self respect. Self assurance.


©  Copyright 12/26/2011