2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

The 120th day of 2019, the last day of April, 4/30/19 is here.  And today was National Honesty Day.  So I will direct my gratitude towards appreciation and being thankful for honesty and those who are honest with me, in my life.  I appreciate the facts and transparency, and I try to be as honest as I can in all that do.  I know we're not doing songs of the day, but I pretty sure I use this one a lot for this day.  Enjoy Billy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuFScoO4tb0

The 119 day of 2019 was a long one.  Started early at work and I was off and running all the way until 10PM when Alexa's Mustangs team won their game in Voorhees 9-1.  Then 4/29/19 ended with us coming home and being greeted by a fresh loaf of sourdough bread!  Alexa won bread for a year (one loaf a month) from Panera in a Basket Auction this year.  YUM!  Nothing like fresh bread, and that is the target of my gratitude this evening: Fresh Bread.  Yum!

It's been a tough week for my West Coast Family.  Early this past week, my sister and her family had to say goodbye to their amazing dog, Docker.  I never got to meet him (was supposed to happen this Summer), but I sure felt that I knew him from the videos and pictures posted online and the stories regaled to us by Stefan (and Abigail).  But, on the 118th day of 2019, we have a new family member.  On 4/28/19, Abigail's family welcomed a new pup, WAFFLES.  So, while I know we are all still mourning the loss of Docker, tonight my gratitude is for Waffles (the Dog), who is already bringing joy and lightening the mood for my sister and her family.  And, thus, my mood is lightened as well.  Can't wait for the many pictures and videos and maybe even to meet Waffles some time soon.

One of my presents for my 50th Birthday was a promise for a later dinner out, just the adults.  And, on the 117th day of 2019 we had the reservation.  So, on the evening of 4/27/19 I had a dinner with good friends and good food.  And my gratitude is for the good friends and good food.  And a great evening.

After work on the 116th day of 2019, I rushed to the Muslim American Community Association in Voorhees.  Our Confirmation Class at Old First (I am a mentor) took a trip to this mosque on 4/26/19.  Pastor Micheal feels (and I agree) that the youth should know about our cousin religions, especially Judaism and Islam.  And, as often happens, I think the adults learned as much as the Confirmands.  I have to admit, though, a lot that I learned made me sad.  Sad about the horrible stereotypes, opinions, and just untruths that many feel about Islam and Muslims.  I wish people would take the time to educate themselves about the religion and people who represent about 1/4 of the Earth's population and who condemn acts of hate and terror as much as we do.  I am grateful I was able to make this trip and even more grateful for the education about Islam that was imparted tonight, to the Confirmands and to me!

The 115th day of 2019 was the HS Competition Day at the Penn Relays.  It was fun to see, on Social Media, all of the friends and classmates of Alexa who ran in the Relays on 4/25/19.  SO, even though the traffic on campus was crazy, my gratitude today is for the HS Day of the Penn Relays.  It is great to see the purity of HS athletics on show on one of the grandest stages.

Throughout the entire day on 4/24/19, I kept being aware of the fact that, in my life, I have a lot of people I can count on when I need to ask a favor, ask for information, need a smile, or just need a friendly ear.  So, my gratitude for the 114th day of 2019 is for these people I can count on.  I am blessed to have so many of them and I strive to be a person on whom they can count as well.

At the end of the workday on the 113th day of 2019 I found myself in Irvine Auditorium.  4/23/19 was the 20th Models of Excellence (MOE) Ceremony.  I know it seems hoakey to some, but I really love the MOE Ceremonies.  Not only when I have been one of the awardees (hey, that has not been in a while), but there are always people who are honored who I have known for a while, have worked with, and who I really respect.  Tonight my gratitude is for MOE x 20.  And see you all back in Irvine next year!

On the 112th day of 2019, I stayed home from work because I was pretty sick this AM.  Started to feel better in the evening but, in the last few minutes, have started to feel feverish, so I will stop catching up on the work I missed and get to bed ASAP!  4/22/19 is also Earth Day, so I will focus my gratitude on that rather than the ordinary (and not great, but not horrible) occurrences of the day.  Today, I thought a lot about the scientists working on one of the most important issues in the WORLD.  Climate Science.  Amidst deniers (especially those currently in charge in DC at the moment), they are persevering and doing their best to educate us all on what we need to know.  On Earth Day, I hope that people come to their senses, as I hope that the policies change back towards the good side soon, and I am grateful for the Climate Scientists who refuse to give up until they do.

You would think the combination of a palindromic day (#111 of 2019) and one of my favorite holidays (Easter) would have made this a close to perfect day.  And the service was wonderful at Church, the meal (cooked by Sarah and Jackie) was wonderful, and the company (family) was amazing as well.  Sadly, I am under the weather (I think it is a double whammy of a head cold, chest cold, and seasonal allergies!)  So I was not able to sing at Church and I had to lie down during most of the service.  But, the most important part of the service was still present.  Easter Brass introduced me to going to church (when I played for Dolly Terry in her Church).  Easter Brass inspired me to take Communion for the first time, in Sarah's home Church.  And Easter Brass, for me, is the culmination of the Lenten Season and something I look forward to all year.  And so I propped myself up, and we played Easter Brass and my soul was filled this morning.  And that i...

In the AM of the 110th day of 2019, the Oaklyn Little League conducted its Coin Drop.  And on 4/20/2019, coaches and parents gave of their time (remember yesterday's reflection?) and people who drove by gave their coins and bills.  Some even gave a large gift to thank Little League and the Oaklyn Community for their continued support of their family.  SO, today, my gratitude flows for those who gave and the coins (and bills) that were dropped today. My prayers of thanksgiving and care are for the members of the LVC Dutchmen baseball team.  Was so glad to be able to see my nephew and his team play today.  Wish we could have stayed longer! And, my final prayer of the Lenten Season for those with whom I disagree is not for a specific group of people.  It's for the discourse in this country and a prayer for a better focus on facts and truth than the current focus on lies and spin.  We can and should do better!  Thanks for reading the extra entries...

Good Friday always gets me thinking about sacrifice.  No matter what your beliefs, it is pretty clear that the story of the Crucifixion is a story about the ultimate sacrifice.  But I was thinking about lesser sacrifices (but sacrifices nonetheless) today.  I am grateful for those who sacrifice (and have sacrificed in the past) for my benefit.  From my parents who gave up a lot to ensure I had a great childhood and great education, to those in my community who give of their time (and money) to support worthy causes, to those at my Church who are constantly working on projects and processes for the benefit the last and the least.  There are so many good stories about holistic sacrifices, I think we should all stop and honor these, especially during this turbulent news cycle. My caring prayer tonight goes to the people who are living outside during this wet and windy weather.  I am sure it is difficult enough to live on the street during dry times, but when...

During the 108th day of 2019, I thought there had been a theft from my porch.  As it turned out, on 4/18/19, it was a misunderstanding.  I am grateful it was a misunderstanding. For a while, I was sad with the state of the world (and my front porch), but that was not the case.  Misunderstanding are not always good but, today, it was!  WHEW! My prayer today is for funnel fries, the Little League mom who suggested we sell them in the stand and the other mom who has perfected the preparation of them.  We sold out tonight!  Gotta get more!!! My prayer for someone with whom I disagree is for people who lie.  Especially when they lie to the country.  A pray that karma catches up with them.  And I have a prayer asking for forgiveness for these feelings of vengeance.  It's time for bed, it's been a long day!

It was chilly on the evening of the 107th day of 2019, but I did not mind sitting in the dugout during a Mustangs/Voorhees U18 scrimmage this evening.  As the game went on during 4/17/19, I was amused by the antics of the team's players.  The friendships that have formed on this team over the past few years have been fun to observe.  I am grateful for these Softball Friendships.  I think they make the team play better and they have certainly benefited Alexa and others as well. My prayer today is for my former colleague at the Penn School of Nursing who is going to graduate with her BA this year.  This is a result of a lot of hard work by her and we are all so proud! And tonight, I am going to end with a prayer for a person usually forgotten (instead of someone with whom I disagree).  After the softball game, we went through the Drive-Thru for a late-night snack.  The people who work the Drive-Thru lines have to be patient and must deal with so many...

As the sun set on the 106th day of 2019, I found myself for the first of many times this Spring/Summer at the Oaklyn Little League Snack Stand.  Yes, there were four games at the fields on 4/16/19 and April and I were very busy.  But, as the games ended, one thing was similar as each team came up to the stand, postgame.  Behind each of the teams were the coaches.  The coaches that not only volunteer hours of their days to coach these young men and women, but then also buy their teams a snack (and some kids snack more than others) :-).  My gratitude flows freely for these Little League Coaches who are doing it for the kids.  And, as I remarked to another person up at the stand tonight, if you are doing it for the kids, you are doing it right. Today's prayers go to the members of the OFD and OPD, the first responders who had to handle three (yes 3!) accidents around the corner from my house.  First responders are amazing and I pray that they are health...

I think the target of my gratitude on 4/15/19 is going to surprise many of you.  Yes, the 105th day of 2019 is Tax Day.  That is a day that causes anger in a lot of people.  But not I (I admit stress to figure out where the funds are to send to Uncle Sam sometimes).  I am grateful to pay taxes.  Paying taxes means a few things.  1) Those of us who pay taxes make enough money to have to pay taxes.  And 2) paying taxes contributes to the greater societal good.  Yes, I know, it's sappy (and a little Socialist, even), but I am glad to pay taxes (I just wish I could figure out how to withhold more so I could owe less on 4/15!) My prayer for today is for all of those people blazing trails for under-represented people in their professions.  From Jackie Robinson, baseball pioneer, to Sally Ride, first female astronaut, to even Barrack Obama, our wonderful first African American President.  Stay strong, pioneers, and know that those who follow ...

Yesterday was my #1 favorite Oaklyn Community Event (Opening Day for LL) and 4/14/19 was #2!  4/14/19 was the OFD Palm Sunday Annual Pancake Breakfast.  It's a great combination of tasty food and community spirit.  And, then, we went to Church and the Palm Sunday Anthem was a moving experience.  Again, a combination of music and congregational spirit.  But, neither of those events are the primary focus of my daily feelings of gratitude.  After the Anthem, we rushed off to Richland, PA.  That is where Grandma Weaver's Egg Hunt occurs each year and is a wonderful time.  Grandma Weaver is 98 years old and has been doing this for as long as I know.  First kids, then grandkids, and now GREAT grandkids!  All at the age of 98.  I am so grateful to have her in my and my kids' lives and for this yearly event. My caring prayer of the day goes to my fellow choir members at OFR.  We are all so busy and we do not always get to practice as...

The 103rd day of 2019 is when my favorite community event of the year occurred.  Yes, 4/13/19 was Little League Opening Day in Oaklyn and it was a great day.  The rain subsided, the fields were prepped, the Snack Stand was hopping, and the kids had a great time (which is the most important part!)  I am so grateful to be a part of Opening Day, still, even though my kids are no longer playing in the league (they play for School and Alexa for her travel team).  But the snack stand brought us all (including Sarah as well) together as a family to work together and have fun while doing it.  Happy Opening Day! Today's caring prayer goes to a classmate of Anna's who should have been at the Opening Day Ceremony, but he broke his leg, badly, and just returned home from the hospital today.  But Anna and her friends brought him his Opening Day free hot dog and drink, and that warmed my heart.  Prayers of healing for him and prayers of strength as he has to sit o...

On day #102, the eve of Little League Opening Day, and during this initial week of games, I have had to lean on my neighbors and friends to help with the running of the Little League Snack Stand. From Sharon and Kristen who stepped up to make sure we were open this week, even with a limited menu, to April who is always there to help (and has Joe help too), to Sarah who is my partner in everything, to all of the people who will help tomorrow.  My gratitude on 4/12/19 flows freely (again) for my snack stand villagers. My daily caring prayer is for my fellow congregant at Old First who is going through a lot right now.  She has had to leave a committee we were on together because of all of the other things with which she has to deal.  My prayer for her is for strength, solace, and to know that she is loved. My prayer for the person with whom a disagree is for a colleague at work that, I think unintentionally, says things that are actually belittling to people.  I pr...

I am late again with the post for the 101st of 2019.  I really have no good excuse, but I ran out of steam last night and needed to go to bed.  So, when I think about my gratitude for 4/11/19, I think of Dave, the father of one of my daughter's softball teammates who has the knack for capturing. on video, Alexa's good hits in games.  I did not get back to the game, from work, in time to see much of the game (I did see the game winning hit, by Rayna, in the bottom of the 8th, a SOLID walk-off double!)  So, I missed two game tying HRs hit by Alexa, the second a Grand Slam!  But Dave got them on tape, and texted them to me.  So I got to enjoy them.  I am grateful for him, and for the other softball parents who are a great bunch of fellow fans! My prayer for last night is for Noelle, another teammate of Alexa and Anna on the Colls Softball team.  She had a bad collision in yesterday's game and had to go to the hospital (turns out to be a separated A...

The 100th day of 2019 was another one of those "made up" holidays (aren't all holidays made up, in some ways?)  Yes, 4/10/19 is National Siblings Day so, of course, my daily gratitude is for My Sibling.  I do not get to see her in person as much as I'd like to, but I am glad that Facebook, Facetime, and other wonders of this technological age keep us connected.  I consider myself lucky and blessed to have grown up with her as my sister.  I probably do not say it enough but, I love you, Abigail! My caring prayer today my friends, family, and anyone, frankly, who has lost a sibling.  Days like today with everyone (including me) posting pics of their siblings could make those who have siblings no longer with us feel sad.  So I pray for them to be strong, to find solace, and to remember the good times. My friend recommended to me, the other day, that if I am having difficulties finding people with whom I disagree as subjects of my prayers, that I think of s...

We spent a lot of the 99th day of 2019 at ballgames.  First, after work on 4/9/19, Sarah and I rushed to the Collingswood High School Softball Games.  Although both teams lost (JV and Varsity), we cheered on Alexa and Anna and their teammates.  Then, we drove back over the river to see the Phillies (sadly lose to the Nats).  But before the late inning collapse by the Phillies, I was just sitting in our seats, surveying the amazing sunset,enjoying the game, the company, and the nice weather.  All of this was due to the kindness of Dr. Neil Kramer.  I am not sure for how many years he has been allowing me to buy some of his season tickets, but I am so glad that he does.  Some of my most amazing Phillies memories have occurred in Dr. Kramer's Phillies Seats and that is where my gratitude is existing tonight. My caring prayer tonight is for the members of the Collingswood Softball Team.  It's not fun to struggle at the plate and I pray that they sta...

On the 98th day of 2019 I found myself in an old, familiar place.  I gave my Penn Traditions presentation on 4/8/19 in the Fagin Hall Auditorium to the prospective members of the Penn Nursing Class of 2023.  As I told them, you can take the boy out of Nursing, but you cannot take Nursing out of the boy.  I love talking about Penn to people who are excited to hear about Penn, so grateful for Nursing Preview Days and for Marianne Smith who invites me back each year! My caring prayer today is for the accepted students for Penn Nursing, all of Penn, and all of the schools across the US.  May they make the right choice based on fit and interest rather than choosing based on reputation and prestige.  I am really starting to believe that choosing a campus that is not based on a fit is what is contributing to the stress and anguish within students of college age.  Prayers of wisdom and solace for these students (and their parents) deciding where to go. My disag...

At the end of the 97th day of 2019, I found myself at a Little League Board Meeting on the fields of Oaklyn.  We did not have a room in which we could meet, so we met on the bleachers by the Snack Stand on 4/7/19.  And. after we had discussed plans for Opening Day, I went into the stand and fired up my new toy (the Air Fryer) and made the inaugural Oreo Churro!  I think I did OK.  Anna liked the sample and the whole item got the stamp of approval from the board member's son who had suggested we get them (a while ago, this has been a quest).  SO, tonight my gratitude is for Oreo Churros, something new, something to get excited about at the start of a new Little League season. My caring prayer today goes towards Pastor Michael (again).  I really appreciated his sermon today and am hoping that he can stay refreshed and recharged as one of the many "busy seasons" of the Church is soon upon us. And my prayer for someone with whom I disagree is for people who...

I started the day off with some of the students from Collingswood H.S. National Honor Society.  It was a great way to start Day 96 of the year. We assisted in the serving of breakfast to almost 70 people as well as the distribution of clothing.  I am extremely grateful, on 4/6/10, to be part of a congregation that has so many options for serving others.  Started the day off right and put a lot of things into perspective. My caring prayer today is for the youth of Oaklyn, classmates of Alexa since 4 years old!  It was a pleasure working with them this morning. I hope they want to come back again. And I also have a prayer for the gentleman who cursed at us this morning.  I know he was frustrated that the clothes distribution was taking a long time but, to take is out on us was unneccessay.  I pray for his to find what he is looking for in life and I say a prayer for  empathy in the ye2rs to come (and beyon)! 

So I am really tired here on the evening of the 95th day of 2019.  Mainly related to last night's late night.  And, this evening of 4/5/19, we are sitting at home, as a family, and catching up on old DVRed TV.  That that is what I am grateful for tonight: A Night at Home. Today's prayer goes to my daughters (I know, again?, you say).  While they both played well in their softball games, what I also observed and truly appreciated is how they are great teammates and leaders on their teams.  To me, that is more important than a good game performance on the field. Today's disagreement prayer is for the fans of the opposing team today.  They were upset because CHS won 15-0 and scored 9 runs in the 1st inning.  I pray for their solace, I know it's not fun being on the wrong end of a mercy rule score, believe me, CHS has been on the wrong end of their share of these.  But they do not need to be mad, just remember they beat us by 10+ rules TWICE last ...

I was not able to write my daily post for the 94th day of 2019 on the actual day (4/4/19).  Why? you ask.  Because, after working all day, I and the 10 other owners of the Penn Rotisserie Baseball League conducted our yearly draft that went well into the night and the wee hours (1, 2, 3AM) of the morning.  The PRBL started 30 years ago and we still have owners, myself included, from the inaugural season.  I am happy that it has lasted so long (not happy that the draft lasted so long) and I hope that, in future years, we can find one DAY (day, day day) in our busy schedules to get together and complete it at a more humane hour.  College days have drifted into beginning adulthood and now parenthood and deep responsibilities.  Maybe in the near future, we'll be retired and scheduling will be easier.  but, for today (retroactively posting for last night), I have immense gratitude for my PRBL Posse.  The other guys who "own" the teams and whose jokes a...

After work on the 93rd day of 2019, I found myself on a Snack Stand Shopping Excursion with my good friends April, Brian, and Shawn.  This is the annual trip to the warehouse store with these friends is something I actually look forward to each year.  I truly could not start the season without the help of these folks.  My gratitude thusly is for my Snack Stand Village.  I know it will grow as the season continues on but tonight I thank its core! Today's prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving for my parents who came to visit for the past week.  We don't get to see them much but, when we do, it's really special. And the prayer for people who disagree with me is a prayer for all of the perpetrators of gun violence in the world.  I really do not like guns, and the people who use guns for crime make me really sad.  I pray for their wisdom and for their peace in seeing a better way.

On the 92nd day of 2019 there is no question about the object of my gratitude: ALEXA FAITH SHERR.  4/2/19 is her 17th birthday.  We took her out of school to her driving test (PASS).  We took goodies to softball practice (at the end) and the team sang her Happy Birthday.  And, then, a nice family dinner, another homemade cake (thanks mom!!), and a great evening.  As I stated in my AM post, Alexa's birth made me a parent and changed my life forever.  She has my gratitude every day but, today, she has most of it all day and night! My prayer of care today is also for Alexa.  She is now a licensed driver and I will be praying for her safety each and every time she is on the road. My prayer for someone with whom I have a disagreement is the DC fans of the Washington Nationals.  I know they are upset that their former player chose to come to the Phillies, but some of their signs were downright mean (albeit maybe clever) and they need to get over it....

On the 91st day of 2019, a remarkable thing happened more than one time.  I was able to get done with a meeting before the scheduled end point.  In one case, I left before the meeting was over, but in the other cases, the work of the meeting was done efficiently and effectively.  So my gratitude today is for quick meetings, and I am off to bed...quickly. Today's caring prayer is for Pastor Michael.  Even though he is under the weather, a Pastor's work is never done, and I pray that he feels better soon! And, for the disagreement prayer, I pray for those who felt the need to prank people on this April Fools Day.  I do not like April Fools and the resulting pranks.  UGH!