Heritage and Heart

Yeah, times are tough. Heritage and Heart are tougher.

I take comfort that my great-grandparents and grandparents lived through the great depression. I remember hearing tales of hard times and working in coal mines. I recall listening to advice to slow down and enjoy the simple things of life...the advice was good in the 1980's when I first heard it and all the more precious now.

My grandma ALWAYS had a pitcher of ice tea in the fridge - it was a hospitality thing I think. No matter who you were, if you stopped by grandma's house you could enjoy iced tea...BTW it usually had a lemon sliced in half in it. Now, here in Florida - Tavia ALWAYS has iced tea in the fridge.

I remembered one of grandma vitko's kitchen treats last month - it's called cherries delight - yummo! Here is a link to a similar recipe http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1813,149191-228199,00.html

I told Tavia I'd like it for my birthday in April - instead of cake. Then I forgot about it.

Fast forward to Valentine's Day eve - I came home to the wife of my youth and she gave me a card and a note that said - check the fridge...and next to the ice tea was another memory from grandma vitko's kitchen..cherries delight - I was floored!

Floored not by a big screen TV or new computer or night on the town...I was floored by the powerfully simple gesture of love and care. You got me Tavia...then again you have had me for 16 years. Happy anniversary.

My brother

Jim Tabor is my brother.

Recently he has had some health issues - heart attack last year and just got out of the hospital a few hours ago after passing out at work a few days ago. It got me to thinking about my big brother (2 years older than me).

Sure, we fought growing up but no one else at school could pick on me...he had my back. Sure, we had some disagreements at home...sorry about the front door mom.

But I still remember the joy when we got that mini-bike for Christmas and raced outside in the freezing weather of North Lima Ohio to try it out. It was a blast.

While I ended up in Florida, Jim and his family still live in Ohio. Jim has stayed close to our roots and is a strong anchor for the family.

Sure, I'm the one who went to College and grad school but truth be told - he is the more avid reader and smarter brother - don't tell him I said that. Traditional education didn't serve his talents well - but Jim has been a Police officer and owned his own small business. Never afraid of hard work he now punches the clock working on the railroad.

Jim, like me, is a man of faith, a husband and a father. These are our sacred vows. Our happiness is based on putting a smile on the face of Our Father in Heaven.

I am very proud of my brother and I know tonight that God is happy to see a man work so hard for his family that he would risk his health and safety to provide for thier well being and comfort.

Get well soon big brother - get well soon. God Bless.

Gingerbread Houses

When I found out my son was diagnosed as autistic - I went through the stages of grief.

I saw my hopes of coaching my son's little league baseball team, watching my son graduate from college, and passing on my family traditions to my son slip from the dreams that were delivered to me on the day he was born.

Notice the focus above - I, me, my.

When embracing my son for who he is and what he loves - dreams are reborn.

Three Christmases ago, as she held a gingerbread kit in the grocery store, the wife of my youth turned to me and proposed an idea "...let's see if Davy would like to do this."

A Christmas tradition was born!

Now in our third year, it is exciting to see that Davy gets excited at Christmas time and enjoys - gingerbread houses.

I was a bell ringer...

Yes, after college and before grad school...I was out of work during the Christmas season and the Salvation Army helped by giving me a job.

That job was as a bell ringer. It was in Virginia. It was cold. I appreciate that job to this day.

Please help me do the most good this Christmas...donate at the kettle in front of the store or right here...

God Bless you, Merry Christmas....

PS - to that guy who saw me shivering and bought me a cup of coffee about 20 years ago...Thank you.

Thankful..is one day enough?

Thanksgiving, it is a word and an event.

Yes, we are encouraged to give thanks for God's blessings on this day. I support that. And, I want to encourage even more...thanksgiving.

When you wake up - thank God for at least one thing. Before you go to bed - thank God for one thing.

What am I thankful for:

• The wife of my youth/best friend (same person)


• Our daughter (who ran ahead of us to heaven - we love you Fairlight)


• Our son (see also my hero and best buddy)


• My family/Posh included


• Life/Health/Laughter/ability to be a servant


• Food/Pepsi and Bacon


• Shelter


• Job


• Creation/Nature


• Film/Video hobbies


• Comic Books


• Video Games

If you pray daily - take one day and do not ask for anything. Just look up to your Father and thank Him for all He does and mostly for who He is...the good God of creation that chooses to love us and show us His love...especially through His son...but that's another story, I hear there is a holiday next month...

Happy 90th B-Day Billy Graham

To: Billy
From: David

Thank you for always focusing on the eternal. You have pointed over 4 generations to the cross of Christ.

Your consistency and reminder of the simple and most powerful truths has helped me see the way to the light in some of my most desperate and darkest hours.

May God Bless you and your family - Happy Birthday
http://www.billygraham.org/

Vote

Early voting starts tomorrow in Florida. If you are registered to vote, you can take advantage of this great convenience.

I don't care who for or how you are voting but I do care that you vote.

Go vote right now.

I thank God we live in a free country.

Participate in your freedom.