HAPPY LEAP YEAR DAY!!

 

     I have always wanted to write a blog on Leap Year Day...February 29. As we all know it only comes around once every four years. I honestly don't have many memories of things I have done on Leap Year Day. Four years ago, I had my Home Depot orientation as I started working there in 2020. In 1992 my ex -wife had her bridal shower that day and during the shower I remember filming a commercial for an upcoming Pre-Teens event with a friend. All I remember is I dressed up as a nerd, Myron but I forgot what the commercial was about. I do have to say one thing and that is I am very grateful my mom and dad decided to schedule my birth on February 18. I could have very easily been a Leap Year baby as 1964 was a Leap Year. 

     There are a few famous people born on February 29. Entertainer and Talk Show host Dinah Shore, band leader Jimmy Dorsey and actor Dennis Farina come to mind. Just think? If I was born o February 29, I would be turning 15 years old, not 60! I wonder if Leap Year babies choose February 28 or March 1st to celebrate their Leap Year birthday? Food for thought!  According to my good friend, google, I discovered Leap Year was put in place years and years ago by Julius Caesar to "balance out the calendar." I guess they chose February since it's the shortest month of the year!

     Leap Year Day does not get a whole lot of respect. So, my encouragement to you all is make a memory today that will last a lifetime. Until then, we will see you next year on February 29...make that in 2028!

     

60!!

 

      

     Well, I finally did it! I reached yet another milestone birthday...60! It's so hard to believe I'm actually 60. Where has the time gone? Believe it or not I do remember each milestone birthday and where I was. When I turned 10, I went bowling for my birthday at Smithtown Bowl. When I turned 20, I was a student at Northeastern Bible College. When I turned 30, I was on a mission trip with our church youth group in Mexico City. When I turned 40, my family gave me a surprise 40th Birthday Party. Turning 50 was the hardest one. My wife and I were separated at the time, so a dear friend took me out for dinner at Applebee's. My 60th birthday was very special. I got to celebrate it with my dear family in Pennsylvania. I don't get to see them much, so it was nice spending it with them last Sunday. 

     To me 60 is only a number. Sure, I can't run fast anymore (not that I ever did!), I might not be the quickest on my job, but I certainly try! I used to love to play sports and throw a football or baseball around but now I have shoulder issues. When I'm at work I sometimes walk in the back, and I forget what I was supposed to get and why I went back there in the first place. I have forgotten names of people, but not on purpose. I also forget what I had for breakfast, but I can tell you where I was on December 27, 1981 (Watching a New York Giants playoff game). So, it's the start of a new decade for me! I still have many things I still want to accomplish in the coming years. Writing a book, planting a church and getting out of debt are my three biggest goals. Hopefully in the next ten years I will accomplish those goals. I'm just hoping when I turn 70, I am not writing this same blog and these goals will not be accomplished. My goal is to accomplish them! I also know it's all in God's timing. So, in the meantime, with some of my aches and pains in my shoulder and back, I'm just going to enjoy being 60. In 2034 I turn 70 but let's not rush it, okay?      

RESPECT

      I had a snow day today here in good ole New York so I figured it would give me a chance to write a quick blog! Like many people around the world, I was one who watched Super Bowl 58 last Sunday. I really didn't care who won because my team wasn't playing in it and in my opinion probably won't be playing in the Super Bowl any time soon. The New York Giants! I was, however, very disturbed about one thing I did see that was caught on camera. I will not be using the name of the player involved, his coach and his girlfriend. I will refer to him as "#87 for the Chiefs." During the game, the Chiefs were not playing very well.  In fact, at one point a running back fumbled the ball and the 49ers recovered. You could see the frustration from that running back as well as his teammates. What they showed you next on television really disturbed me. #87 on the Chiefs came charging down the sideline toward his coach screaming at him and he actually purposely bumped into him. The coach never looked at the player or said a word. Now, I realize it was a big game and for the World Championship of football and the NFL's Vince Lombardi Trophy. I realize the amount of pressure and intensity is sky high, but I got me thinking. Would this have happened 35 years ago when Bill Parcells was coaching the Giants and Lawrence Taylor did this? Would Mike Ditka who coached the Bears and was known for a hot temper allow this on his team if Jim McMahon did this?  I can't picture any coach allowing this even 50 years ago! The first thing I thought of after seeing this were all the young kids watching the game and seeing this display of "No Respect!" Are they going to treat their parents like this? How about their teacher? How about their coach? All I know is growing up and playing Little League baseball if I screamed at my coach or manager, do you think he would say nothing? You bet your bottom dollar I would be told to find a nice warm seat on the bench. It really bothered me that kids saw that and I'm sure they feel that it's okay to yell at your coach. Even as a children's pastor 15 years ago I had kids argue with me if we played hockey on Wednesday nights during Pre-Teens. I always told them, "Guys, it's just a game. We are supposed to have fun!" 

     I know there is more to the story about the #87 Super Bowl tirade. I heard he apologized to his coach after the game which is the right thing to do. I heard the coach laughed about it at the Press Conference. Maybe #87's girlfriend will write a song about it? Hopefully not. I have heard many people on the radio upset about it. Some even say it's "no big deal" and some say we should "let it go." I truthfully don't like the fact many young kids saw this happen on live TV. I do feel #87 should address this situation and tell kids it was not cool. If he hasn't done so already, I wish he would! This is yet another reason why I have been turned off by sports in the last 5 years or so. I don't think many athletes realize the role models they are to young kids.

HAPPY SNOW DAY EVERYONE IT'S BACK TO WORK TOMORROW!! 

 

A BREAK IN THE ACTION

 

     I have a confession to make! I was all set to write this amazing blog I wanted to call "10 Things I have learned in 10 years." I was writing down ideas and I was getting ready to write when I discovered my notes disappeared. They were probably blowing around a Lidl parking lot. I guess as I tried to take my keys out or my phone, the notes must have slipped out. I feel sorry for the person who found them and is trying to decipher what I wrote. I admit it. My handwriting is atrocious! I did too much writing on a legal pad before I ever owned a computer or laptop!

     To be brutally honest, as I started writing the "10 things" blog it became apparent to me that it was going to be a very very long blog. It was then that I felt the Lord give me a huge nudge and saying to me "Hey, you can write this all out but why not put it in a book?" To make it even more interesting, I decided to make the title "20 things I have learned in 20 years." Many of you know I have a very busy schedule. I work fulltime at Chick Fil - A and since January 1st I have had more responsibilities at my church due to the fact that our lead pastor has had medical issues and had surgery this past week. I'm also looking to find a job in the evenings since living in New York is a challenge. I am saying all this to say that I want to fulfill a lifetime dream and that is to write a book. I have had many of you tell me you enjoy my blogs and before you comment below and say "No, you can't stop blogging!!!" Don't worry, I am not stopping. My blogging will not be as much as usual so I can focus on my book. They will also not be very long. I do love blogging but I realize I can only do so much. Even if my new book takes me a year, I just want to be sure it all comes together, comes out great and reaches a lot of people. So, it is getting late on this Friday evening exactly 11:22 p.m. so goodnight my friends!! Thanks for reading and supporting me!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!!