How're your arms today?

In my line of work I have had the opportunity to meet interesting people, some extraordinary, some disappointing. I have worked with Wang Qishan, the Mayor of Beijing (delightful man). I have worked with Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Michael Eisner, Mijaíl Gorbachov, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Prime Minister of Turkey), Steve Young, Thomas Friedman, General Monty Meigs (ret.) to name a few more, plus countless internationally recognized celebrities and entertainers; almost to the point of becoming apathetic toward fame. In most cases I worked with these individuals in a setting where they shared with their audiences insightful and impressing information. From each of these I have tried to absorb something useful, something that would propel me closer to the caliber of person I wish to be. Yet I have found that the most valuable tidbits of wisdom don’t seem to come from builders of corporations or leaders of countries, they come where you’d least expect.

This evening I worked for a family who was hosting the funeral of their eleven-year-old daughter. I don’t know her cause of death, an auto accident I assume. From their stories you would know that she was a typical eleven-year-old; comical, serendipitous, loving and innocent. The memorial service had an equally melancholy tone because her younger brother was in a coma, I believe from the same event that took this young girl’s life. Despite these facts, or maybe because of them, the parents’ remarks seemed optimistic. I cannot fathom their sorrow and grief, but the strength they displayed was remarkable; continually praising God and acknowledging the support from their family and friends.

To me it was a lesson in attitude. A positive outlook makes all the difference. I know, I know, it sounds cliché, but what pushes a full, busy day over the line to a bad day? I find it interesting that the entire first chapter of the United States Army’s Survival Manual is dedicated to having a positive attitude.

I’ve worked with dozens of “Motivational Speakers” in the last eight years and I’m sure you could boil all of their material down to a twenty-five-page book about how a positive attitude is the key to success.

In closing, I hope the parents of the young girl find peace (if they haven’t already) and solace quickly and “that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of [their] bereavement, and leave [them] only the cherished memory of the loved and lost.*” For me, I feel fortunate to have observed the celebration of their daughter’s life.

Perhaps we could all do with a little cheerier disposition from day to day, maybe our lives will escalate to something better or maybe they won’t. I once heard Aron Ralston speak. He is the hiker who had to sever his own arm to survive. Ever since then, whenever I’ve had a stressful day I’ve thought to myself “well, things can't be that bad because I didn’t have to cut my own arm off today.”

* Abraham Lincoln

No, really, I don't like cranberries.

Thanksgiving was good this year. My siblings both went to their inlaws and/or significant other's parent's homes. So my parents came with Marcee and I to my inlaw's home. It was nice. Although for next year I'm going to suggest that whoever is hosting the meal cook the turkey. It makes me nervous to drive 20+ miles with a pot of turkey and sloshing juices in the trunk.

We both took the 24th off and bummed around the house for a four-day weekend. It was nice to have a break from work but by Sunday I was ready to go back in. Friday we performed a major cleaning of the kitchen. It’s amazing how dirty it gets behind the fridge. The next day we had planned on cleaning other parts of the house, but ended up painting the master bedroom doors. We purchased our home a little more than two years ago with the intent of repairing / improving it and moving on to something better, but due to work schedules we've done little to accomplish our lofty goal. Ah, “…the well laid plans of mice and men…” Bit-by-bit I think we’ll make this house bearable.

Marcee has gotten involved in an annual event here called The Festival of Trees. It's a christmas tree auction for Primary Children's Medical Center. She enjoys the planning, helping and meeting new people, which is good.

Recently we discovered that Madison, our three-year-old Miniature Dachshund terror, is allergic to grass. The vet says there isn't much we can do for her, just wipe her down with a cold, damp cloth after she's been outside. That dog is amazing. She was born with a herniated bellybutton, She broke her tail within the first year and now this. I don't know what to do with her.

Any-hoot, I can't believe 2006 is almost over. It's been an eventful year, full of memories and learning experiences.

"A long December, and there's reason to believe
maybe this year will be better than the last..."