It has been a long year ... so far.

 I say it has been long, well I guess 8 1/2 months does not constitute a full year. But when you don't take time for yourself, it seems longer. So after a brief camping trip (over a weekend) with a special couple, Nancy and I discussed going back to some states we visited before, but not REALLY visited. We sort of just drove through, the New England states. And with our friends will will stop and see the leaves changing as we go through the small towns and villages from Massachusetts to Maine, From Boston to Bar Harbor and staying in only small towns and sea ports villages. Other than the couple nights in Boston to re-walk the freedom trail. A well deserved get-away from buying and selling cars, working on cars and going to meetings. picking up and dropping off grandkids is NOT a chore, but a pleasure. It is just the other stuff that gets old day in and day out. This sounds like I hate my retirement life, well, I don't, but sometimes you just need a LONG break from the norm. A 16 day trip will be welcomed. Two weeks after we get home in mid-October, I will fly to Alabama (my birth state) to visit my late mother's family and visit my mother's grave. It will be a mixed feeling trip.

It has also been a long year of seeing negative campaign commercials full of lies, blame and things taken out of context. And then the non-ending stories about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She was great lady, and I know people loved her but, the media takes things too far sometime.

This last week and weekend, our Phoenix firefighters, along with hundreds from all over the United States, gathered in Colorado Springs at the National Firefighters Memorial to pay tribute the ones who lost their lives this last years. It is a sad time, but yet a time for firefighters to reunite and revisit with friends and comrades to bond in the brotherhood.

As the temperatures start to go down (somewhat), I am hoping to see and enjoy some pretty autumn colors in New England, apple cider, good seafood like hearty regional clam chowder, along with the iconic seaport villages and pubs. Our leisurely driving trip through New England has been on our bucket list for years and I am sure it will not disappoint. MAYBE, by the time we get back, the new VW ID4 EV (electric car) we ordered last January will finally arrive at the dealer so we can pick it up. Apparently it just left the factory in Germany. 

One last thing. I will be absent until late October, but I am hoping you will enjoin me here then. I will post photos of our trip on 'FaceBook' as we go. Until then, take care and stay safe.

Remembering two historical events

 This week marks two events that affected many countries with great sadness and loss. Today is the 21st anniversary of the attack on the United States on September 11th 2001, and the passing of the Queen of England. Both were devastating the our two countries and many more.

9-11, as it is commonly called, was an attack on our country that we had not experienced since the Brits attacked us in the 1812. In 1812 there were no deaths officially recorded, but on 9-11 there were 2,977 lives lost. And 343 of those lives were the firefighters and law enforcement officers who loss their lives trying to save others. It was a dark day for the United States that is remembered by our nation each year to make sure, 'WE WILL NEVER FORGET'.

For England, and so many other countries, the passing of Queen Elizabeth was also devastating. A Queen like no other before her. One who served her people for 7 decades, and through many, many rough times. A Queen from the age of 25 until she was 96,  one who was admired and loved in so many ways. To the British, losing her was similar to us losing President Kennedy in 1963. Queen Elizabeth II reigned through 15 Prime Ministers starting from Winston Churchill, and 13 presidents starting from Dwight D. Eisenhower. Unlike Elizabeth's passing, Kennedy's death was unexpected and surprising.

Like everything in life, it must go on and move forward, but still remembering the past. In the 9-11 attack, which destroyed the Towers and several building around them, we built the 'Freedom Tower' and a monument in the same spot the twin towers stood. The two fire stations which housed the crews that lost their lives in the crashing towers were re-dedicated in the crew's name and remembrance. In England, Prince Charles became the new king as the monarchy torch was passed on. England will heal, just as we have healed over the years since 9-11. Healing means going on with life, but the scars and memories stay inside forever.

I don't fly the stars and stripes just during holidays, but 24/7/365 in the memory of those who are serving, who have served, died, for our country and democracy. Just as Queen Elizabeth dedicated her life to serve her people, we should keep the memory of those who died, not only the people who perished in the towers and afterwards, but the ones we sometimes take for granted like law enforcement officers and firefighters. They always come when needed and go where no one else will.

The Brits will never forget their beloved Queen. And we will never forget the attack and deaths of all the innocent souls lost on 9-11. Take care and stay safe.

Houston... no... United States, we have a problem.

I believe the worst of Covid is past, I hope. But now, instead of a Pandemic we have an  Epidemic. Yes, teen suicides is rising rapidly, and as parents we can slow if not stop it. 

Children struggle with SO MANY things that I did not have growing up. Many kids deal with depression I had not realized until a family close to me announced their child had taken their life. The parents saw the signs but thought it was just that adolescent stage. They did not comprehend those signs and could not or would deal with it.  Not eating, staying in the room, on their phone all the time, not talking, not sharing in family activities and just being unsociable. Some is peer pressure, demanding parents to be like them, demands to do things better in school or sports.

Nearly 1 in 5 people born after 1997 identify as LGBTQ and refer to themselves as 'She, he or him'. Sexual identity, loneliness, climate change, being bullied, deep political and cultural discord is an awful lot for a 14 year old the deal with. Then you throw in being told the stay home for school for two years during Covid, and feeling they can not talk to their parents about their feelings. That is a lot.

Teens and pre-teens want to be involved, loved and be able the talk about their feeling openly without pressure and told the 'pick yourself up and be strong'. It would probably be a rude awakening to be that fly on the wall in their bedroom as they lay on their bed talking to a friend on their cell phone about how they can't talk to their parents about things. "They would tell me, just be a man/woman and deal with it". I know, I have been there with my kids and the angry discussions that never got anything settled except more angry. But then I realized what it was like in their shoes when I was a kid. No comparison. Our kids ARE NOT US! It is a whole different world today and all we can do is support the kids, not be judgemental, give advice and suggestions not alway demands, educate them with facts and not bearishing them over the head with, "When I was your age, we did it this way." And video games don't really help with shooting games and crashing cars. 

Your childhood can not be re-lived through you children. They must find their own way throughout each step and turn of life. Growing up is not easy with trap doors hidden everywhere. Your job is the guide, support, encourage, teach them about good and bad, and ALWAYS have an open mind and ear to listen when they need someone, other that that so-called friend of theirs who thinks they know all the answers, when sometimes we don't either.

Children are precious and vulnerable. I wish sometimes there was a book on how to be the perfect parent/grandparent. Many have tired, but fell short. I still learn from our grandkids. I have always told them, "You can call or come over ANYTIME to talk. What you tell me, will never go any farther ... unless there is a lawsuit coming." They always laugh about that. I was never the perfect parent, if fact, I may have gotten a 'D' if I was graded. An open ear, support and trying to understand their point of view was hard sometimes, but I tried and they knew that. 

The multiple mass shooting we have seen and witnessed by teens and pre-teens is evidence of a serious mental problem this country needs to address NOW! PLEASE, as mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, reach out to your kids and let them know you are there for them and just listen to what they say. It will be appreciated and hopefully ease some of their anxiety and hopelessness they may have. We all need to be there for them. Related or not. They are our future. Take care and stay safe.