Jameson's Joy

Friends and visitors, I will be walking in my nephew Jameson's memory. He was born with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and lived 18 joy-filled months. The American Heart Association is hugely responsible for the research that helped Jameson in his fight against heart disease. As most of you know, Jameson lost his fight March 28, 2003, but with your help we can continue the battle. Because of the American Heart Association and research, more and more children with heart disease are being saved every day. Please help me support the wonderful work of the American Heart Association. You can help me reach my goal by making a donation online. Click on the link below and you will be taken to my personal donation page where you can make a secure online credit card donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer to donate less, you can do so by sending a check directly to me. Your donation will help fight our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers—heart disease and stroke. You are making a difference. Thank you for your support.

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support American Heart Association - Heart Mini-Marathon Cincinnati, OH

Forgiveness

I watched a show recently that made me open my relatively-closed mind a bit. One of the topics was that of forgiveness -- whether it's forgiving someone or something -- for something that has happened to you. For example, in 2003 my way of thinking was 'what did I do to deserve this?' Today, I'm taking a new approach.

Thank you for giving me that
experience.

Cancer wasn't fun. Work can be a drag at times. Bills can be stressful. However, each of these things have added positive experiences to my life. I don't like paying bills, but I am happy and thankful that I am able to pay them. Work and deadlines can be challenging, but these challenges make me stronger. The challenges show me, and teach me, that I am capable of handling each and every one of them. Battling cancer was tough -- and my greatest achievement yet -- but having had that experience showed me things that I either never knew before, or knew but took for granted. I now know that I have countless friends who were there for my family (and for me). I saw and experienced what faith can do.

That, my friends and family, is why I can forgive and be thankful.

Paying the tooth fairy

Friends, your well wishes for a painless procedure and recovery are requested. Today I will visit the finest oral surgeon in the area and have three teeth removed. These little guys are in the back of my mouth and didn't play well with my wisdom teeth and suffered damage. I appreciate your prayers for speedy recovery (and prevention of boredom sitting at the house for a couple days).