Living on Earth is expensive,
but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

How long a minute is
depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

Birthdays are good for you;
the more you have,the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

Ever notice that the people who are late
are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day,
how come nothing is free yet?

You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don't cry because it's over;
smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons:
some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors
but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Working for God on earth does not pay much,
but His Retirement plan is out of this world.

I used to think that everyday heroes was synonymous with policemen, firemen, teachers, doctors and nurses and caretakers.

During the last few weeks I have become aware of other heroes...people battling disease while trying hard to maintain a "normal" happy daily life. Families who are dealing with the grief over the death of a loved one. Families doing the best they can to make ends meet. People who have lost their job and try again. Those that have little hope, the homeless and destitute show bravery everyday when they have the courage to face another day.

Every day there are people who play the role of hero in people's lives without even knowing it. A smile, a compliment, words of encouragement all can make a tremendous difference in a person's life.

Who are hereos in your life?

"May it be said when the sun sets on your life...you made a difference."

It will be a long time before the sun sets on the life of the incomparable Lt. Col. Jack D. Peavy (USA Retired) yet it can already be said his life has made a difference. A tremendous positive difference!

He has always had an energy and steadfast determination that has made him an unstoppable force.

A wise person would never tell Jack that something couldn't be done. He truly is a man who follows his dreams. He sets clearly defined goals and never waivers when obstacles stand in his path.

I had the privilege and pleasure of joining a group of his family and friends last night as we surprised Jack for his 75th birthday. His lovely daughters recited lessons he taught them. It was an eclectic list that provided insight and laughter as they shared their stories. It was evident to all in attendance that family is of paramount importance to him. He loved his wife, Roberta and together they raised their lovely daughters with discipline and love. Sharon and Nancy learned to keep kindness in their hearts, to take risks and embrace change.

They also presented their dad with a copy of his high school diploma. He had enlisted in the service (didn't let a little obstacle like age stand in his way) and went to serve his country by-passing graduation in 1946.

He was and forever will be a soldier.

I read a quote recently, "Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Jack wanted to be a pilot, to fly. He knew it. It was his passion. He applied his enthusiasm, tenacity and boldness to remove the obstacles and create the action to make his goal a reality. (Ask him to share the story sometime. It is terrific.)

Jack's life is a great example of the power of focus. Never stagnate, ever increasing his knowledge and growing, Jack recently attended classes to reach the pinnacle of opportunity within the Coast Guard Auxiliary. When stumbling to find success on some of the tests - it was his focus and determination that made the difference. He eventually not only passed but was awarded recognition for his efforts.

His focus on his priorities have made it possible for him to accomplish more in his military, business and personal life than most people ever will.

Jack enjoys visiting lighthouses. How appropriate. Through his life he has been a vehicle to protect and guide. The light within him brightens the lives of many.

His life has been diverse. He has had many adventures with many still to come.

I believe your true character is revealed by the clarity of your convictions, the choices you make, the promises you keep.

I have known Jack to always hold strongly to his principles. Your choices shape the person you become. They are the measure of your life.

Jack has taken risks, made good and bad choices. Adversity in his life has revealed his character and strength.

God gives each of us unique talents and maximizing those talents is life's challenge.

Jack listens to his gut, he learns, grows and inspires.

Aristotle once said, "Excellence is not an act. It is a habit." Jack illustrates a quality of excellence in his life. He can't help it. After 75 years it is a habit.

Happy Birthday. Thank you for making a positive happy difference in my life.

It can't be put in a box or wrapped with a bow.

It is what memories are made of.

What is the bestest present of all?


Time shared with those we love.


The nicest of all, are those extremely rare occassions when the people in your world believe in the lyrics of that Billy Joel song..."Just The Way You Are".

May each of you experience unconditional love. Love not because of, or in spite of. Love as acceptance without conditions, that is the rarest prize of all.

I just had a fun time with David Hallal, my forever friend.

I hope that everyone reading this is healthy and happy, embracing each day as the present it truly is.

I met David in October 1989. He is as much my family today as if he had been born into it. Currently, my high energy palsy walsy is in the battle of his life. An insidious cancer has made a home in his body. Please help him evict it. Your prayers would be very appreciated.

Thank you so very much.

Good health is all too often taken for granted. Unfortunately, no family goes without being touched by a health challenge whether mild or grievous. My lovely sister Wendy has been doing battle with MS. She is amazing in the way she handles the daily challenges. She is in my daily prayers.

God willing prayers become miracles. I don't believe in miracles, I count on them.

Thanjs for visiting my blog - I hope you have a fun day.

The following passage is from a sermon by John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio:

Imagine a soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He stands though, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this...

I gave you a birthright of freedom born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it.

I fought in the snow barefoot to give you the freedom to vote and you stay at home because it rains!

I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues, because it might be bad for business.

I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people.

It's the soldier, not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press.

It's the soldier, not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech.

It's the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate.

It's the soldier, who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag!!!

When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our U.S. forces in Iraq, AND all around the world. My neice, Jasmine is waiting with an anxious heart for the return of her marine Andrew. Having waited for my own marine to return from Vietnam, I know what it was like to experience such concern. May all our loved ones return safe and soon.

This is the prayer from church...

"Dear Lord, please hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen"