Growing with the Grass

Seattle, 1972 "It's hard to scoop dog poop in tall grass."

Allentown, 1974  "Wow! Dad sure can throw our lawnmower, when it won't start."

Allentown, 1977 "I hate cutting grass!" 

Dublin, 1983 "Maybe grass isn't quite so bad." 

Dublin, 1991 "Apartment life sucks! Maybe one day I'll have a place of my own with thick green grass." 

Macon, 1996 "It's a rental, but we'll need a lawnmower to cut this grass." 

Thomson, 1998 "Wow! Sure feels good to cut your own grass! Even smells better."

Thomson, 2003 "Better hit the yard real quick, while the wife and kids are napping."

Thomson, 2005 "I love cutting grass. It's free therapy." 

Thomson, 2008 "It's hard watching your son cut grass, but he really needs this."

Thomson, 2013 "Look at that! I've got kids cutting grass, weed eating, and pressure washing!"

Thomson, 2015 "It's nice to come home and your kids have cut the grass without being asked." 

Thomson, 2017 "I'd ask the kids to help with the grass, but I know they've got other things to do."

Thomson, 2019 "Cleaning up the yard for the 4th, while praying for my high school daughter and her sister and brothers, who leave for college in a few weeks."

Happy OCD!

Yesterday, while celebrating my 52nd Orbit Completion Date, a few things occurred to me. Primarily, that I had nothing to do with my birth. My dad helped set the process in motion, but it was through my mother's straining, and the doctor's expert use of forceps, that I began my first orbit, completely helpless. All I knew was how to cry, eat, sleep, and fill up diapers. All of these are good things, which I still do to this day.  During my 52 orbits, I've learned a few valuable lessons. Admittedly, a good many of these were told to me or they're self-evident, but I had to experience them the hard way. I haven't lived through the lessons of a man, who's completed 100 orbits, but I have very good reasons to stick around that long. So, I took some inventory, as I embark on orbit 53, I find the following lessons to be note worthy. Maybe you relate to a few.


* Never chase your puppy into the road.
* Be very selective when using absolutes, like never and always.
* For reasons unknown, some people don't like you. That's okay.
* It is possible to cut wet grass.
* Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
* You imagine and plan for the future, you read or recall the past, but right now you're creating the past, as well as your trajectory into the future.
* If one's application of grace is race-based, then they're racist.
* The "hook up" culture will never know the beauty of a meaningful slow dance.
* Some will advance through life with ease, but there's no true progress without effort.
* The things people say to you also includes the things they don't say or ask about.
* The one thing I truly hate is a festering misunderstanding.
* Facebook needs this post option "That's stupid and you're stupid."
* It's ok to kiss with your eyes open.
* Give people room to be human.
* In the same way we give children a push, when they're learning to ride a bike, we must give them a good push towards adulthood, by reading to them, when they're young.
* Don't tell your dad to get some rest and see a doctor, when he says he's sick and tired.
* Never jump out of a 2nd story window to avoid being "it".
* Sweat is a very dear friend.
* Always expect nothing.
* Time grinds to a halt on your worst days, when life hits hardest, but soon the sun rises with a warm smile and the birds sing a song that's just for you.
* Arrogance is a symptom of deeper issues.
* Our awe of creation is but a taste of our ultimate awe of The King.
* When in doubt, sleep on it. If you're still in doubt then sleep on it a few more times.
* There are billions of people, who dream of having my problems.
* Say what you mean.
*  Hold the door for others, but hold your tongue for yourself.
* There's no better daily calibration than coffee, silence, and prayer in the morning.