Monday, September 6, 2010

Have a Safe Labor Day!


As I sit here this morning, I ponder the speed at which time passes, old photos and memories flood my thoughts and stimulate my senses, it is strange how you can remember a scent or a taste as much as a place or a time.. I think of the people that have moved on or passed on, the ones that have grown up and the ones that have just faded away. I find myself wondering why it is we don't have the huge family reunions from times gone by and in an age where travel is effortless, why it is that we don't just visit more often the ones we love. Even when seperated by only a few miles, we find it hard to close the gap and just go.


How many of you know the origins of " Labor Day ", come on now, don't cheat and google it! I asked a few dozen customers over the last week and some of the answers I got were.... well lets say at best " not quite right ".. so for you guys, here is the answer...




This is the best version and the most fact filled that there is.









Saturday, September 4, 2010

Satuday.... life lessons and stuff you need to know.


I was reminded this week of the value life has and the true value of friendship. While in the process of living, I had a customer stop in and ask a small request, I was not busy and decided to give it a shot. During the whole process we started a conversation that revealed he had been a Law Enforcement Pilot in New Jersey and had retired to the area. He asked if I could duplicate some items from his past position which was not a problem at all and I was glad to assist. After a bit it became clear that this guy ( Jim ) was going to become a friend. I don't remembber ever meeting anyone that exuded confidence quite like this guy, he and his wife both just looked so happy and healthy.

A few days passed and Jim and his wife paid me another visit, this time it was a little different, Jim asked me some questions about faith and we entered a new level of friendship. He then informed me that he was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, had a chemo pump attached and the Doctors had given him a month to six months to live. You could have knocked me over with a feather, here before me stood a guy that was the picture of health and happiness telling me this? Yet thru all of this he still had a calm confidence that God had placed this in his life to set him on a path or for some other reason but it was not by chance. He is a rock to his wife that day and you could tell it was not an act. I can tell you that I personally feel honored to be considered by Jim to be his friend, I have placed him and his wife on the prayer list in our Sunday school class and will continue to keep him there. Jim's wife stopped in the next day to pick up some little things I had completed on his request and informed me that he was feeling a little sick from the medication and could not make it there with her. While I know that this is not the normal stuff you read from me, I feel the need to let everyone know that while time is something we put a dollar value on most of the days of our lives, this week I have placed an even higher value on the friends I come into contact with each day, a high value on family and even the people I do business with. I will try and make sure that each and every person that I consider a value to me knows that I value them by the actions I take and the words I speak. I encourage you to let those you love know today how much and repete it every chance you get.

I thank God for the family I have, for the friends he sends my way and the people he sends to me as a business each day, If you are in one of those catagories then I want you to know how much each of you mean to me. A special thank you to Jim and his wife for sharing with me one of the most valuable conversations I have had in years and a prayer for them for healing and happiness in all the things yet to come their way.


Have a safe and happy Labor day Weekend and tell someone how much they mean to you before the day goes by, you never know how many breaths yo have left, use them to the fullest.


See you guys soon!


PS, here is the golf cart license plate that Jim requested, If you see him or his wife around Market Common, stop them, give them a word of encouragement and meet two of the nicest people you may ever run across! oh and if I rambled on and bored you this time around, sorry for that, just felt blessed and wanted to share it with everyone.