Dad got a new computer

Look out Dad has a new computer

Recently my Dad got a new laptop. This was amazing to me as I have been on him for years to get something new that would allow him to communicate with the rest of the world including my kids, his 3 grandchildren, in California. He was one of the only people that I had even heard of that changed the internal clock battery in his previous 15 year old e-machine. Of course he was still on dialup in living in the great state of Georgia, even though many of his neighbors had broadband and wireless routers that they offered to share.

Saturday Dad and I and the kids had a Skype call. This was a huge eye opening experience for my dad. He was able to see and hear his grandchildren and vice versa. This opportunity to interact with them in a way that he has not been able to do for a couple of years, was great.
While plane tickets are expensive, this has become a great alternative to more regular visits.

Dad, thanks for getting a new computer, now we have to get you on facebook!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

2010 here we are. What is your New Year resolution? Loose the pounds? Get more fit? Eat better? How about spend more time with family and friends? Recently I have seen friends and acquaintances that are fighting cancer, it has caused me to pause, and thing about how our time here on earth is finite, and we must live each day to its fullest. One of my friends Lynn had Hodgkin’s/Lymphoma 8 years ago and now is fighting breast cancer. She is only 39!!! Matt is a pastor in TX has three kids a wife in his early thirties and has a brain tumor. It was found after he had a sudden and unexpected seizure after the Thanksgiving holiday. Lynn and Matt are healthy, normal people, which within a matter of day are now in the fight of their life.

How sad, but I would tell you that both of these people would say do not be sad for them. Instead, try to be educated and realize that life is a gift. This is my New Year’s theme, live life to its fullest. Not to be sad for what I do not have, but to be thankful for what I do have.

So with this in mind…. I ask you….are you focusing on what is important? I mean really important and lasting. I challenge all of us to make each day count, volunteer, donate blood or money, sign up to be on the bone marrow registry or to be an organ and tissue donor.
Have a Happy New Year!!!

-J

P.S. You can check Lynn’s blog at http://lynnhowes.blogspot.com/ or subscribe to Matt’s Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/MattChandler74.