Stand Against The Wind

Two Trees Diptych by Christina Goodman

“Stand together, yet not too near together; For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.” -Khalil Gibran

Each of us go through seasons in our life. The good ones which spring forth promise of joy and great things. All that happens is good and we seem to float along without a care.

We also have those cold and wintery times when we want to crawl under a blanket and shiver from the seemingly bad that encompasses us. We long for greater things but the darkness of winter never seems to abate.

It is during both the good and the bad that we should never stand alone. As different as we are from one another, we can stand firm for someone in need. And while we wilt against the bad, someone will be there for us.

Women have a very intense understanding of this. But men have a built in belief that it makes them less of a man not to stand alone. We fail to see that other men are going through the same types of issues. We fail to see that it is okay to lean on a brother.

The one which stands alone becomes the easy prey while the ones which stand together are a more imposing force. The Spartans knew this lesson and used it very effectively. When being attacked, they stood together in close formation and their shields became one impenetrable shield.

Then as one they moved against the enemy, one force, one unbroken force that no enemy could stand against. Doing more then one single man could do alone, brother to brother, shoulder to shoulder.

Each of us are different as the trees of a forest can be. But together we can become a wall which breaks the force of the wind. A wind that would try to bend and break us individually can be beaten back together.

Stand with your brother through both the good and the bad. Stand in support of the other when the winds try to break you apart.

Singing of Grandparents

I found this video by David Choi, that was too good to pass up. It brought back to very few memories I have of my own grandparents. As I was the second to the youngest in a large family, I think my grandparents were already old when I was born.

I was lucky to have my mother's Mom live into her 90s, so many memories of her. But for the others, there are single moments in time that I cherish.



Cherish and take care of them for they paved a path for you to walk. They smoothed the road a little bit, planted the flowers and trimmed the grass along the way. Take care of them and build your memories to pass down to all generations.

Enter At Your Own Risk

You've seen them, disclaimers ranging from the simple to the most complicated legal jargon one could imagine. Many times these are meant to protect the 'issuer' from any responsibility. Seems a little odd that someone would put forth something and then not want to take any responsibility for it. Here you go Mr. Customer, this really isn't very safe but please buy it and if it causes harm, well its not our fault.

One then has to think about the other side of this coin we've created. A product designed to remove stains in white clothes. Of course, its bleach. Yet someone decides that if it works on clothes, maybe it will clean the ink stains on my arm. They use it in an improper manner getting a rash or burn on their skin. They blame or take legal action. Well Mr. Seller, you didn't tell me I couldn't use it that way and its not my fault.

In Ireland, there is an old castle in Blarney that I have visited many times. As you approach the doorway to go in the actual castle, there is one of those typical "ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK" signs. The kind that many of us simply ignore. But as you walk through this place, you really could quite easily hurt yourself. It is unlike in the U.S. where these signs are posted. And with that there is every conceivable safety device to keep you from harming yourself.

I find it amusing because the sign in Ireland is more real and forces you to truly accept responsibility. Yes, you could hurt yourself but we are allowing you to see this magnificent old building. Whereas in the U.S., you are warned and all the safety devices are there but it exists to protect them from the legal fight that will occur when you get a splinter from dragging your hand down a wooden banister.

There are many versions and variations that swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. What I marvel at is that we work so very hard at avoiding personal responsibility for things. I'm not suggesting that there are no valid reasons on either side, but I do believe again that personal responsibility needs higher consideration.

Personal responsibility is something each of us should have and consider in all that we do. If we are the producer of something, are we doing everything we can to ensure it is safe and appropriate. If we are the consumer of something, are we using it in a safe and appropriate manner. It also goes for decisions and actions we take in life. Are we taking responsibility for our own actions whether it be our attitude, our work or our family?

The only thing we had no choice in was being born. But living life itself is full of risk. All of us live that life and "ENTER AT OUR OWN RISK" until the day we don't. Assume responsibility for your own life. Choose to live life with a great attitude and willingness to make it better for others. The 'risks' are well worth it.

Pancreatic Cancer

"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December." ~J.M. Barrie

Today marks the one year anniversary of my mother's passing away from Pancreatic Cancer. It is a day that our family carries in our hearts because Mom gave us so much during her final days. One thing she said that resonates with me to this day is, "Prayer was here for us before we knew what prayer was for."

To me it means that God is looking out for us even if we are unaware of it. I add my mother to that as well. She is looking out for each of us now from a greater place.

Today also marks the end of my one year tribute to her fight against Pancreatic Cancer. I have worn the following band for the full year, never taking it off, serving as a reminder of the strength she had.


I will remove this one and keep it in a special place of memories of my mother. I will obtain a new one and wear it at times and continue my efforts to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer research. All I'm asking for at this point is enough money to help researchers find a method of early detection. There are no methods of detecting this cancer early. This means that by the time it is detected, the chances of survival are greatly diminished.

So in that effort, my wife and I will be running in the PurpleStride Atlanta 2009 5K Run to raise research dollars again this year. This events primary purpose is to raise money for research and to raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States—and has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers.

This year, 42,470 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 35,240 will die from the disease. The number of new cases and deaths caused by this deadly disease are increasing not decreasing. By 2030 the number of cases is projected to increase by 55%. The facts are undeniable, we need early detection and a path to a cure.

You can help by supporting our run and donating dollars to TEAM ROSE today. I thank you, my wife Laura thanks you and the Primm family thanks you.

Love you Mom. -Joey