Jimmy's Grand Life

"I love life because what more is there.." ~Anthony Hopkins

His name is Jimmy B. That is how I will refer to him at least. I met him in the nursing home recently. But first an explanation.

My mother-in-law lives in the Golden Living Center in Foley, Alabama. We moved her there from Mesa, Arizona a couple of months back after her husband passed away. This places her in the same town as a daughter of her's and also closer to more family members.

Its a nice place and we thoroughly enjoyed a New Year's holiday weekend visit with her. While the weather was rainy and cold, sitting with my mother-in-law kept us warm and happy.

The facility itself has residents of many varying conditions. Some would call nursing homes depressing but I find them full of people with stories. Stories that tell an interesting piece of life. And these people are the perfect narrators of how great life really can be.

As you walk through the halls, people are in their wheelchairs and I always smile and say hello to each of them. Most reveal a huge smile in return. One particular gentleman is named Jimmy B. as I later found out.

One afternoon, all of us went to sit near the front door and Jimmy was there. So I sat next to him and decided it was time for a chat. The whole scene kind of reminded me of stories I've heard the author Andy Andrews tell in his various books.

The story Jimmy told me was full of the various family issues. He told of the sister, the step-brothers, the step-sisters and moving around the state of Alabama. There was heartache at losing family to accidents and deaths of varying kinds.

He told me of joy when speaking of his mother. He told me proudly of his service to the City of Foley, Alabama. He told me that life was grand.

Jimmy was a big man,and one that I could guess would have carried anything for you. As strong as he looked, he could probably carry most anything. But the biggest thing he carried was his optimism of how great life is.

Now you can try to figure out what was so great about his life. To some it may seem it was not much of a life. But to Jimmy, it has been the biggest and grandest life. To me his life is great and grand as well.

Life is what we make of it and to reach a distant point in years and be able to say life is pretty great says a lot about you. Your attitude about your life goes a long way in determining the life you get.

I really do wish for each of you in 2011 that you find the grand life that Jimmy has found.

First Interview

"Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music." ~Ronald Reagan

To start out the new year, I was honored to be interviewed by WEEKEND EDITION host Rick Probst on Atlanta radio station WNIV-970. This past Saturday, January 1 the segment aired. Wow, what a way to start the year.

My first real interview, a bit nerve racking, but Rick made it a great experience. Maybe the first of something new, taking those first steps into something greater. So thanks to modern technology, I present to you the interview in its full length.



Its January of 2011 ... so get it started folks. There is a lot to do and a lot of life to live.

Countdown to 2011 - Its Here, Almost

A happy New Year! Grant that I

May bring no tear to any eye

When this New Year in time shall end

Let it be said I've played the friend,

Have lived and loved and labored here,

And made of it a happy year.

-Edgar Guest-

Here it is, the final day, December 31, 2010. But I am really not a fan of the word final. The clock will tick past the stroke of midnight and January 1, 2011 will be here. Time will keep marching forward as will we. So there is nothing 'final' about it.

To ring out the old, here are the months of October, November and December along with a favorite article from each of those months.

In the month of October, there was an early morning drink that I provided.

This was followed in November by letting you know that you are possible in anything you do.

Which puts us in December and hello, can you hear me?

Enjoy a prosperous new year and look back upon the 2010 with fondness and having learned from the experience. The future holds great things for you and by engaging in life, it will be your best life.

Countdown to 2011 - Two Days Left

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

We now pick up the pace as twelve months doesn't fit neatly into five days, so we provide you with three picks today from the months of July, August, and September.

July is a very warm month and in it I brought you an article that reminded us that we are not ordinary in anyway.

Not to be outdone, in August there was the rebuilding of broken bridges. You can get to the other side, believe it.

My final favorite for today comes from September and a cheese sandwich.