Don't Throw Any Snowballs At Me, Please.

I heard on the radio the other day that the Metro NY Area is suffering from "snow fatigue". While having dinner with my Granddaughter, Emma, last evening, we heard the report that our area has already received 57 inches of snow this year. Our normal amount by this time is 19 inches. We now have about 2 feet of snow on the ground.

Personally I love it. (Please hold your fire!) I am a winter person. I would far rather shovel snow in January than mow the lawn in July. I hate heat.

But for those who do not like the snow remember there are benefits to this white stuff which we now have in abundance here. Snow is an insulator. It is better for your garden plants then a deep freeze without it. There are other benefits but the best one is nitrogen. You probably recall that from the Periodic Chart of Elements in High School Chemistry. Nitrogen is a natural fertilizer. It makes things grow like crazy. This spring (after the snow melts) and you are enjoying the flowers, think, "This beauty is brought to you by the snow fatigue you endured last winter!"

In fact for you who are longing for an early spring, don't watch the ground hog- watch the ground. In a few weeks the crocus will appear and the blooms will follow. It won't be long until you will be complaining about the heat! And if you won't I certainly will!

Days Of Our Lives

Lucy and I drove through a Winter Wonderland on Route 17 Thursday to come an spend my dad's 84th birthday with him and my mom. It was a surprise. We called them on the way. Lucy actually made the call as drove. She said, "We are on the Palisades Parkway heading up to see you." We did this so my mom wouldn't stress out about cleaning her already always clean house or worry about us driving from Long Island. She admitted last night it was wise. After 54 years I think I know these folks who are my parents.

A few words about good parents to the young that I have learned in over half a century:
1- They always know more than you think they do about life.
2- They always love you more than you realize when you are young.
3- They always know more than you when you are old.
4- They are quieter about things as you get old as they realize you are getting it.
5- They love hearing stories about when you grew up in their house.
6- They are your best friends if you make them that.
7- They love to get phone calls from you in this busy rush we live in today.

Now a few words about my Dad:
I have known him for 54 years. He has been the most steady faithful man I have ever met. He loves my Mom and has been with her for 57 years as man and wife.

Dad supported me (and still does) in all my endeavors. When I ran track and cross country in High School, he was there with his Kodak 8mm movie camera. We recently put all that footage (some 17 minutes of it on DVD) and have enjoyed watching it with former teammates and Coach.

We celebrated 84 years of life yesterday and recalled surprise parties we had for his 40th, his 65th and his 80th. They were all good times.

He worked hard all his life. For the 30 years before I came on the scene he was a diligent worker. I recently told a few of my grandkids (in our snowstorm this week) that once Great Poppa, as they call him, stayed overnight in the Grand Union in Manhasset, because the snow was bad and he had to open the store the next day. He was worried he would not be able to make it back from Bellmore the next morning in the snow. They listened.

I watched my dad buy his own business. I remember him being home during a week day after he had a meeting with his attorney and thought how strange it was. I never remember him taking a sick day, although at times he should have! His attitude to his work was one where he enjoyed his job, never complained about the hours and where he had, although he never mentioned it, a deep contentment that he was taking care of his family.

When we lost my younger brother to a brain tumor over 10 years ago I saw his faith strong as ever with a broken heart. He accepted it and led the family with his few words but steady trust in God Who seldom gives answers to His children for these things.

My father has served his church all the days of my life. I used to sit next to him when I was a kid. I loved to hear him sing... still do!

He loves his grandkids and great grandkids. They love him. The name "Poppa" which he took on when my oldest was born and he became a grandfather has exceeded just his immediate family. When he fell 3 years ago to keep everyone updated one of grandkids made a blog called "Poppa to All". That he is. He loves people. People love him.

I am very thankful he is my dad- thankful beyond words. I am thankful for the example he has set in all the things I have written about and many more. I am thankful for the half a century year journey I have been on with him, for my hero, my Dad.

The Good Things About Suffering

In the backyard are plants that this spring and summer will put out abundant blooms- more than every before. The reason is that last fall I dug them out of the ground, dropped them to get the soil off them then took a shovel and bringing it down very hard cut the plant in two. If anyone were looking at this they'd think I was destroying it. On the contrary the action will make it much more beautiful, strengthen its inner being and assure its ongoing fruitfulness.

Life is like that- exactly like that. It is strange what suffering begets. It begets beautiful music, heart moving poems. It begets more fruit in the fruit trees, more flowers and quieter spirits. It burns away the nonsense and brings about purity. It makes young people grow up and turns children (some who are in adult bodies) into mature people. It produces books which speak to the heart.

In this time of proliferation of speakers on leadership (seems like there are more all the time) and the abundance of social commentators, I have tuned most of them out. This may sounds extreme but I am coming to believe (it has been quite a journey) that the only ones who have anything worth listening to are those who have suffered. Those who have lived through pain and sorrow have much to say. The interesting thing is that they actually talk very little. What they do say tends to be apples of gold, wisdom hammered out in life's difficulties.

The well known Bible Teacher, G. Campbell Morgan, was on vacation with his wife in New Hampshire. They went to church. On the way home Campbell remarked to his wife, "Well that was a good sermon by that young pastor." His wife remarked, "It was okay. But it will be a lot better when he has suffered a little." I believe Mrs. Campbell was right!