Though it's been half a lifetime since I left the Marine Corps, I proudly carry the values and practice the discipline of the Corps to this very day. In most respects, age and wisdom has allowed me to grow and reflect, making me a better Marine today than I was on active duty. I'm certainly a better man, and a better leader than I was all of those years ago. But looking back, it was the Marine Corps that instilled in me the the leadership traits that have helped me become the person I am today. In my experience, it's difficult to be a good leader if any one of these traits are missing... even moreso if two are missing. It's virtually impossible if three or more are missing. Let's take a quick look at these traits and briefly discuss their importance:
Justice: Impartial adjudication of conflicting claims; Assignment of merited rewards or punishments
Without justice, subordinates will spend their time and energy currying favor or avoiding blame instead of focusing on the task at hand.
Judgement: The ability to reach intelligent conclusions
Without judgment, subordinates cannot be sure you providing the best course of action.
Dependability: Capable of being trusted
If your subordinates cannot depend on you, they will not take risks for you.
Integrity: Firm adherence to a code of moral values; Incorruptibility
If you do not exhibit integrity, those you lead will lose their own integrity. In combat, in life and in business, a moral compass is critical.
Decisiveness: Having the power or quality of deciding; Unfaltering; Resolute
A decent plan now is better than the perfect plan next week. An indecisive leader is worthless.
Tact: A keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others
Words are as important as weapons. It is foolish to mock and alienate people. You never know when you will run into them again, nor can you know whose assistance you will need in the future.
Initiative: The ability to act independently and without oversight
Initiative helps prevent problems that occur due to inaction.
Endurance: The ability to withstand hardship or adversity
You cannot expect those around you to persevere if you yourself give up at the first sign of difficulty.
Bearing: The manner in which one behaves
As a leader, your subordinates will behave as you do. It's important to keep your cool and press on.
Unselfishness: Not selfish; generous
Everything you do should consider the needs of those in your charge. It is morally wrong to take the lion's share and leave only scraps for those under your care.
Courage: Mental or moral strength to persevere and withstand danger or difficulty
Courage is more than the ability to face physical danger. It's also the ability to step up and say that something is wrong, even when you know it's unpopular. It's the ability to challenge your superior when you know they're incorrect. It's the ability to have a difficult conversation with a trusted advisor or friend.
Knowledge: The range of one's information or understanding; becoming aware of truth through reasoning
Are you the subject matter expert in your job? Do people trust your ability and talent?
Loyalty: Faithfulness; Devotion; Commitment
Loyalty is holding to the principles you hold dear. Do not confuse loyalty with blind allegiance. In fact, it is more loyal to NOT look the other way.
Enthusiasm: Strong Excitement of feeling; Passion
Enthusiasm encourages those around to excel. Conversely, apathy and negativity discourages high performance.
If you wish to succeed as a leader, and in life, you must work diligently to cultivate all of these traits. Accentuate those characteristics which come naturally, and endeavor to improve your weaker attributes. History is littered with those who chose easier paths.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Friday, September 13, 2019
The End of the Promise
When my friend died a few years ago, I made a promise to myself, in his honor. I promised that I'd be there for his widow and his girls. I made this commitment with a few ideas in mind, but not knowing exactly how things would play out. Even today, I'm not sure precisely what I expected, but do recall thinking I'd probably tell the kids stories about their dad... maybe teach them how to drive... help the family with little tasks around the house. Regardless, I imagined myself... I don't know... involved.
As is often the case in life, things haven't exactly panned out how I pictured. I started out visiting pretty frequently... every week or two. Time passed and as the girls aged, they weren't interested in my visits. Then his wife started getting busy as well. My visits got less and less frequent. Next thing I knew, I hadn't visited in over six months.
Soon after, I looked back, and realized that we had become Facebook friends, but even that was less frequent. I'd check in to see how things were going, or to report such and such an event in my life, but didn't get responses. I came to the conclusion that I was doing all of the work. I reached out to them, but there really wasn't any reciprocation.
A month or two ago, I understood that it was time for the end of the promise. I ran into them at our downtown Farmer's Market. We caught eyes... there was a brief moment of unexpected surprise... a quick smile, and a hello. During the exchange, my wife needed my attention for the briefest of moments. I turned to answer her, and by the time I turned back, mere seconds later, they were gone. It was obvious they weren't interested in hanging back for a conversation, however brief.
I'd like to be very clear about a few things... I hold no ill will toward the family. Their lives have moved forward, and their new reality doesn't include me. I'm completely okay with that. I was never asked to make this promise... not by them, and not by him. It was a commitment I made to myself during a period of intense grief. I'd also like to clarify that I'm not writing them off. If they need something from me in the future, I plan to be there. What I'm doing is acknowledging their priorities have changed, and that it's time for me to stop trying to insert myself into their lives, while hoping they understand I'm still here if they need me.
As is often the case in life, things haven't exactly panned out how I pictured. I started out visiting pretty frequently... every week or two. Time passed and as the girls aged, they weren't interested in my visits. Then his wife started getting busy as well. My visits got less and less frequent. Next thing I knew, I hadn't visited in over six months.
Soon after, I looked back, and realized that we had become Facebook friends, but even that was less frequent. I'd check in to see how things were going, or to report such and such an event in my life, but didn't get responses. I came to the conclusion that I was doing all of the work. I reached out to them, but there really wasn't any reciprocation.
A month or two ago, I understood that it was time for the end of the promise. I ran into them at our downtown Farmer's Market. We caught eyes... there was a brief moment of unexpected surprise... a quick smile, and a hello. During the exchange, my wife needed my attention for the briefest of moments. I turned to answer her, and by the time I turned back, mere seconds later, they were gone. It was obvious they weren't interested in hanging back for a conversation, however brief.
I'd like to be very clear about a few things... I hold no ill will toward the family. Their lives have moved forward, and their new reality doesn't include me. I'm completely okay with that. I was never asked to make this promise... not by them, and not by him. It was a commitment I made to myself during a period of intense grief. I'd also like to clarify that I'm not writing them off. If they need something from me in the future, I plan to be there. What I'm doing is acknowledging their priorities have changed, and that it's time for me to stop trying to insert myself into their lives, while hoping they understand I'm still here if they need me.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
In Defense of Ralph Northam
I suspect I'm going to get some heat over this post, but I've never been one to shy away from a discussion just because it's uncomfortable. Let me start by saying I understand that wearing blackface is socially unacceptable by today's standards. I will also state I haven't always understood that wearing blackface is wrong. I don't recall ever wearing blackface when I was younger... but I certainly would have. If I had dressed up like a black person though, it definitely wouldn't have done been done with the goal of offending anyone. You see, this is something that the PC crowd is completely missing... intent.
People who are upset by Ralpy Northam's blackface need to step back and consider the motivation behind the behavior. In order to do that you need to bear in mind this picture was taken almost forty years ago. Times were different then, and Northam was most surely a different person. Things that may seem abhorrent today were perfectly acceptable back then. Please stop applying today's values to yesterday's behavior; it's not reasonable. Judging yesterday's behavior with today's morals is kind of like lowering the speed limit, and retroactively ticketing anyone who has ever exceeded the new lower speed limit.
Like I said, things were different forty years ago. It's quite possible that blacks didn't find blackface offensive back then. More likely, blacks didn't like the idea, but Northam didn't know it was offensive. If that's the case (and I personally think this is the most likely scenario,) then you're punishing him for ignorance. Again, that's not reasonable. Another realistic possibility is that he knew it was in poor taste, but didn't realize the extent it bothered -- bothers -- the black community. If that's what happened, let me ask you to look in the mirror. If any among you are without sin in this area, then feel free to cast the first stone. Otherwise, remove the plank from your own eye before complaining about the splinter in another man's eye.
Let me get a bit more personal here. I said earlier that I don't recall ever wearing black face. I do, however, very distinctly recall a close friend doing so. He's a straight white guy, and he dressed like a black pimp one year for Halloween. He took third place in the Halloween contest. Only when he accepted his prize did anyone find out that he's white. Nobody was pissed. In fact, they thought it was an awesome costume and said that he'd have taken first place if they'd have known he was white. This guy didn't set out to offend anyone. He was and still is one of the best men I know. I personally have dressed in drag for Halloween, and for the Navy's Crossing of the Equator Ceremony when I was in the Marine Corps. In neither instance did I wear women's clothing with the intent of mocking women or the LGBTQ community.
It's also unreasonable to condemn Northam outright, because people change. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'm not the same guy I was when I was 20. When I was a child, I was prejudiced against blacks. I grew up in Southern Kansas, and learned this bigotry from my classmates. When I moved to Iowa, in the late 70's, I made black friends and started learning that skin color isn't important. I was also biased against homosexuals. It took a bit longer to outgrow that one, but again, I eventually learned that sexual preference has little impact on a person's character. I have done what I could to apologize to those I may have wronged as a result of the distorted views of my youth, and I hope that people will judge me based on who I am today, not who I was back then.
On that same thought train... when I was in high school, I didn't have much time for the jocks... the preppies... the cheerleaders... you know the stereotypically pretentious ones. I skipped the first couple of high school reunions, because I assumed they were still the same jackasses they were before we graduated. Eventually, I went; and I discovered that, for the most part, they had changed as well. A few of us exchanged apologies for crappy past behavior. I still don't see eye to eye with some of these folks, but I have learned that they're not assholes just because we don't agree. Overwhelmingly, they are good people just trying to get by. We may not be friends... but we want the same things... for our children to do better than we did. We seek prosperity, health, love and security.
And this is what I'm coming to... okay, Ralph Northam dressed in blackface. Okay, by today's standards that's unacceptable behavior. But remember this... he probably didn't go out with the goal of wronging or oppressing anyone when he put on the blackface. Even if he did though, remember, this was over half of a lifetime ago for him. Before you excoriate him, at least take a look at what he's done since then. Maybe, just maybe, he deserves a break.
People who are upset by Ralpy Northam's blackface need to step back and consider the motivation behind the behavior. In order to do that you need to bear in mind this picture was taken almost forty years ago. Times were different then, and Northam was most surely a different person. Things that may seem abhorrent today were perfectly acceptable back then. Please stop applying today's values to yesterday's behavior; it's not reasonable. Judging yesterday's behavior with today's morals is kind of like lowering the speed limit, and retroactively ticketing anyone who has ever exceeded the new lower speed limit.
Like I said, things were different forty years ago. It's quite possible that blacks didn't find blackface offensive back then. More likely, blacks didn't like the idea, but Northam didn't know it was offensive. If that's the case (and I personally think this is the most likely scenario,) then you're punishing him for ignorance. Again, that's not reasonable. Another realistic possibility is that he knew it was in poor taste, but didn't realize the extent it bothered -- bothers -- the black community. If that's what happened, let me ask you to look in the mirror. If any among you are without sin in this area, then feel free to cast the first stone. Otherwise, remove the plank from your own eye before complaining about the splinter in another man's eye.
Let me get a bit more personal here. I said earlier that I don't recall ever wearing black face. I do, however, very distinctly recall a close friend doing so. He's a straight white guy, and he dressed like a black pimp one year for Halloween. He took third place in the Halloween contest. Only when he accepted his prize did anyone find out that he's white. Nobody was pissed. In fact, they thought it was an awesome costume and said that he'd have taken first place if they'd have known he was white. This guy didn't set out to offend anyone. He was and still is one of the best men I know. I personally have dressed in drag for Halloween, and for the Navy's Crossing of the Equator Ceremony when I was in the Marine Corps. In neither instance did I wear women's clothing with the intent of mocking women or the LGBTQ community.
It's also unreasonable to condemn Northam outright, because people change. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I'm not the same guy I was when I was 20. When I was a child, I was prejudiced against blacks. I grew up in Southern Kansas, and learned this bigotry from my classmates. When I moved to Iowa, in the late 70's, I made black friends and started learning that skin color isn't important. I was also biased against homosexuals. It took a bit longer to outgrow that one, but again, I eventually learned that sexual preference has little impact on a person's character. I have done what I could to apologize to those I may have wronged as a result of the distorted views of my youth, and I hope that people will judge me based on who I am today, not who I was back then.
On that same thought train... when I was in high school, I didn't have much time for the jocks... the preppies... the cheerleaders... you know the stereotypically pretentious ones. I skipped the first couple of high school reunions, because I assumed they were still the same jackasses they were before we graduated. Eventually, I went; and I discovered that, for the most part, they had changed as well. A few of us exchanged apologies for crappy past behavior. I still don't see eye to eye with some of these folks, but I have learned that they're not assholes just because we don't agree. Overwhelmingly, they are good people just trying to get by. We may not be friends... but we want the same things... for our children to do better than we did. We seek prosperity, health, love and security.
And this is what I'm coming to... okay, Ralph Northam dressed in blackface. Okay, by today's standards that's unacceptable behavior. But remember this... he probably didn't go out with the goal of wronging or oppressing anyone when he put on the blackface. Even if he did though, remember, this was over half of a lifetime ago for him. Before you excoriate him, at least take a look at what he's done since then. Maybe, just maybe, he deserves a break.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
It Gets Good Again
Today's post is for those who have recently lost a loved one to suicide.
Yesterday was a beautiful fall day that perfectly matched my mood. The weather was warm and sunny, with a touch of a cool breeze. The fall colors were in full display... red, gold and copper, with a touch of summer green still remaining.
I had a date day with my wonderful wife. We started the afternoon with a great lunch at a local restaurant that had just opened. The place has an upscale yet homey atmosphere, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. From there, we made our way north of town and spent an hour or so walking area nature trails.
I was well aware that yesterday was the three year anniversary of the day that my best friend committed suicide. I noted how completely different it was from that horrible day. On that day it was cold and gray, with a frigid, heavy rain that was just shy of snow. It was almost impossible to know where the rain ended and my tears began, except that my tears were warm. Helping my friend's widow tell her young girls that their dad had just taken his own life was a complete contrast to the peace I felt walking through the woods, and the contentment I experienced as I walked hand-in-hand with my wife.
Earlier in the day, I performed military honor guard duty at a local Boy Scout camp, rededicating their veterans fire ring. My friend and I were both active in Boy Scouts, and I was cognizant of how our past intersected with the present, but again, I wasn't grief striken. I missed his presence, but I honored his memory, and was grateful for the time we had together as I enjoyed the moment.
Let me be clear... there will always be a touch of sadness that my best friend took his own life. There will always be a Greg-shaped scar on my soul. But if you have recently lost a friend to suicide, it's important to know that it won't always be as bad as it is today. I know you've heard 'it gets better.' But that's not enough. You need to understand that it gets good again. I know this, because I'm living it. Keep moving forward. It gets good again.
Yesterday was a beautiful fall day that perfectly matched my mood. The weather was warm and sunny, with a touch of a cool breeze. The fall colors were in full display... red, gold and copper, with a touch of summer green still remaining.
I had a date day with my wonderful wife. We started the afternoon with a great lunch at a local restaurant that had just opened. The place has an upscale yet homey atmosphere, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. From there, we made our way north of town and spent an hour or so walking area nature trails.
I was well aware that yesterday was the three year anniversary of the day that my best friend committed suicide. I noted how completely different it was from that horrible day. On that day it was cold and gray, with a frigid, heavy rain that was just shy of snow. It was almost impossible to know where the rain ended and my tears began, except that my tears were warm. Helping my friend's widow tell her young girls that their dad had just taken his own life was a complete contrast to the peace I felt walking through the woods, and the contentment I experienced as I walked hand-in-hand with my wife.
Earlier in the day, I performed military honor guard duty at a local Boy Scout camp, rededicating their veterans fire ring. My friend and I were both active in Boy Scouts, and I was cognizant of how our past intersected with the present, but again, I wasn't grief striken. I missed his presence, but I honored his memory, and was grateful for the time we had together as I enjoyed the moment.
Let me be clear... there will always be a touch of sadness that my best friend took his own life. There will always be a Greg-shaped scar on my soul. But if you have recently lost a friend to suicide, it's important to know that it won't always be as bad as it is today. I know you've heard 'it gets better.' But that's not enough. You need to understand that it gets good again. I know this, because I'm living it. Keep moving forward. It gets good again.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
The Theory of God
I read an article today that says physicist Stephen Hawking, in his final book, proclaimed that God does not exist. I find his declaration kind of interesting. Hawking was a brilliant man, with an incredible mind. He was a firm supporter of M Theory as a complete explanation of how the universe works. The thing is, M Theory requires eleven dimensions in order to work, and it's for this reason I'm a bit perplexed why Hawking didn't believe in God. Allow me to use an analogy to explain.
It should go without saying that we experience life in four dimensions... length, width, depth and time. Now, imagine a world of two dimensions. These two-dimensional beings have length and width, but cannot grasp the concepts of depth and time. In short, their experience is half of ours. They cannot move, because they don't exist in time the same way that we do. They will never notice a shadow, because they do not experience depth. Human beings "create" two-dimensional things all the time through drawing, painting, photography, and so forth. These "creations" would rightly consider the painter, sketch artist or photographer a god, because the artist did indeed create the art. The creator experiences all four dimensions... two dimensions more than the creation could ever possibly comprehend, and exists outside of its own creation. Now, let's take my analogy to the next level.
As I said before, mankind exists in a world of four dimensions... but Hawking postulated that our universe has eleven dimensions. The flaw in Hawking's conclusion that no God exists is that he failed to acknowledge the possibility of an eleven-dimensional being. This is even more interesting, because Hawking believed in the existence of alien life. I find it interesting that Hawking's system of belief allowed for alien life, but did not leave room for the existence of an eleven-dimensional being... a being that would certainly qualify as God based on our limited understanding. Indeed, God doesn't need to exist in all eleven dimensions in order to be able to create us in a matter similar to how we "create" two-dimensional art.
I understand that two-dimensional art doesn't "exist" in the same manner that we do. Two-dimensional art doesn't experience reality... it isn't life, thus my analogy is imperfect. However, this analogy should adequately explain why I'm so puzzled over Hawkings certainty that God doesn't exist, while simultaneously believing in eleven dimensions.
It should go without saying that we experience life in four dimensions... length, width, depth and time. Now, imagine a world of two dimensions. These two-dimensional beings have length and width, but cannot grasp the concepts of depth and time. In short, their experience is half of ours. They cannot move, because they don't exist in time the same way that we do. They will never notice a shadow, because they do not experience depth. Human beings "create" two-dimensional things all the time through drawing, painting, photography, and so forth. These "creations" would rightly consider the painter, sketch artist or photographer a god, because the artist did indeed create the art. The creator experiences all four dimensions... two dimensions more than the creation could ever possibly comprehend, and exists outside of its own creation. Now, let's take my analogy to the next level.
As I said before, mankind exists in a world of four dimensions... but Hawking postulated that our universe has eleven dimensions. The flaw in Hawking's conclusion that no God exists is that he failed to acknowledge the possibility of an eleven-dimensional being. This is even more interesting, because Hawking believed in the existence of alien life. I find it interesting that Hawking's system of belief allowed for alien life, but did not leave room for the existence of an eleven-dimensional being... a being that would certainly qualify as God based on our limited understanding. Indeed, God doesn't need to exist in all eleven dimensions in order to be able to create us in a matter similar to how we "create" two-dimensional art.
I understand that two-dimensional art doesn't "exist" in the same manner that we do. Two-dimensional art doesn't experience reality... it isn't life, thus my analogy is imperfect. However, this analogy should adequately explain why I'm so puzzled over Hawkings certainty that God doesn't exist, while simultaneously believing in eleven dimensions.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Kavanaugh
Like most Americans, I've been paying close attention to the Brett Kavanaugh Senate hearing. I've also been keenly aware of how divisive the hearings have been. Unlike most though, I've been VERY torn over the process.
When I went into this, I simply thought about these proceedings as a partisan event. At that point, I was hoping for a moderate judge... one who would look at each individual case, based on its individual merits, and rule according to his conscience and the rule of law, without looking at cases through a Liberal or Conservative perspective. But that's no longer relevant. The fact of the matter is, Kavanaugh's selection to the Supreme Court is no longer about his judicial qualifications. His selection now focuses on allegations of sexual assault. I am not going to state my personal opinion on whether or not Kavanaugh sexually assaulted Christine Blasey Ford. I am, however, going to pose a series of questions, with the idea that you, as the reader of this article, can form your own conclusion as to whether or not Brett Kavanaugh is qualified to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, based on this specific issue. Please consider the following questions...
-Have you, or has anyone close to you been the victim of sexual assault? If not, this series of questions really doesn't apply to you. You are fortunate, and you can formulate a conclusion based strictly on intellect, and not on emotion.
-If you are the victim of sexual assault, or if someone close to you has been, you need to ask yourself a deeper question. Is it possible that the perpetrator of sexual assault could grow, and become a good person... a valuable member of society. In other words, could you forgive someone for this grave transgression? Or would you prefer that this individual be held responsible for their actions, even if their comeuppance were to occur three decades later?
-If you personally believe that there is no statute of limitations on when the perpetrator should be held accountable, the final question is... Do you believe that Christine Blasey Ford is a credible witness? Do you believe what she's saying?
IF you or someone you love is a victim of sexual assault... AND you believe that the perpetrator should be held accountable without a statute of limitations... AND you believe that Christine Blasey Ford is a credible witness, then you should believe that Brett Kavanaugh should not be selected as a Supreme Court Justice.
When I went into this, I simply thought about these proceedings as a partisan event. At that point, I was hoping for a moderate judge... one who would look at each individual case, based on its individual merits, and rule according to his conscience and the rule of law, without looking at cases through a Liberal or Conservative perspective. But that's no longer relevant. The fact of the matter is, Kavanaugh's selection to the Supreme Court is no longer about his judicial qualifications. His selection now focuses on allegations of sexual assault. I am not going to state my personal opinion on whether or not Kavanaugh sexually assaulted Christine Blasey Ford. I am, however, going to pose a series of questions, with the idea that you, as the reader of this article, can form your own conclusion as to whether or not Brett Kavanaugh is qualified to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, based on this specific issue. Please consider the following questions...
-Have you, or has anyone close to you been the victim of sexual assault? If not, this series of questions really doesn't apply to you. You are fortunate, and you can formulate a conclusion based strictly on intellect, and not on emotion.
-If you are the victim of sexual assault, or if someone close to you has been, you need to ask yourself a deeper question. Is it possible that the perpetrator of sexual assault could grow, and become a good person... a valuable member of society. In other words, could you forgive someone for this grave transgression? Or would you prefer that this individual be held responsible for their actions, even if their comeuppance were to occur three decades later?
-If you personally believe that there is no statute of limitations on when the perpetrator should be held accountable, the final question is... Do you believe that Christine Blasey Ford is a credible witness? Do you believe what she's saying?
IF you or someone you love is a victim of sexual assault... AND you believe that the perpetrator should be held accountable without a statute of limitations... AND you believe that Christine Blasey Ford is a credible witness, then you should believe that Brett Kavanaugh should not be selected as a Supreme Court Justice.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Congratulations Kids!
Last night, I had the privilege of walking my daughter down the aisle at a small, intimate ceremony in Las Vegas, where the bride and groom were surrounded by family and close friends. I have many, many thoughts, and I'm having a hard time sorting them all out, so I'm just going to write stuff down as it comes to mind, and skip the eloquence...
Kid, I'm happy for you and Josh beyond words. No ifs, no ands, no buts... just happy for you.
The happy family is moving to Reno next week. A lot of people have asked me if I'm going to miss them... if I'm going to be sad. Of course I'm going to miss them, but how could I possibly be sad? My daughter is moving because she wants to see something beyond where she grew up. This new family is doing exactly what young families do. How could I feel anything but happiness for them.
The wedding itself was one in a series of events this week... they zip lined Fremont St. They're riding their motorcycles to their new home, stopping in national parks on the way. And they planned and executed all of this without any assistance...and they took mishaps in stride... even when Josh's bike died and he had to buy a new one.
I realize that you're going to have disagreements, trials and struggles, but know I'm confident that you can -- and will -- get through them and that your marriage will grow stronger and more loving with the passage of time.
If you need something... advice... help... just to say hi... I'm a phone call away.
Congratulations. I love you.
-Dad
Kid, I'm happy for you and Josh beyond words. No ifs, no ands, no buts... just happy for you.
The happy family is moving to Reno next week. A lot of people have asked me if I'm going to miss them... if I'm going to be sad. Of course I'm going to miss them, but how could I possibly be sad? My daughter is moving because she wants to see something beyond where she grew up. This new family is doing exactly what young families do. How could I feel anything but happiness for them.
The wedding itself was one in a series of events this week... they zip lined Fremont St. They're riding their motorcycles to their new home, stopping in national parks on the way. And they planned and executed all of this without any assistance...and they took mishaps in stride... even when Josh's bike died and he had to buy a new one.
I realize that you're going to have disagreements, trials and struggles, but know I'm confident that you can -- and will -- get through them and that your marriage will grow stronger and more loving with the passage of time.
If you need something... advice... help... just to say hi... I'm a phone call away.
Congratulations. I love you.
-Dad
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