Our greatest hope...

"I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water on in thin air but to walk on earth." Thich Nhat Hanh

I have been blessed with so many miracles. I am married to a Saint. Sandra, my wife of 44 years has cared for our special needs daughter, Ashley for 39 years. Ashley need constant care 24/7 and Sandra gave her everything with great love and joy.

Ashley is and always will be our Angel. A true embodiment of unconditional love. 

Every day I interact with the miracles of educators helping, caring, teaching, and loving children.

Our greatest hope for the future is all the love that educators bring to the lives of our children.

This moment is essential

We have always been here and will always be here. It is what we do with today that is essential. Today is the only thing in our control. This moment is essential.

I am continuing to learn that as our physical body ends, our soul still leaves a wave of positivity and love. The legacy of our empathy and compassion ripples through the universe forever. Every action, every word, and every thought we have makes a difference to someone. Our soul's journey continues past the physical life. With each breath we take, let us make our lives a tribute to unconditional love.

Give yourself permission to bring the gifts of your best self to life now. Who you are and what you do matters.

The essential...

When you know the fragility of this human body, your perspective on life narrows to what is essential.

Two years ago, I had a six-hour open-heart surgery. It was very important to me to let family and friends know how much I loved them.

Four weeks ago, I experienced the excruciating pain of losing our beloved 39-year-old daughter. As Sandra and our two sons and I stood by Ashley's bedside in ICU for the last three days of her life, my perspective on life deepened to what matters, to the sacred, to the essential.

There were no thoughts of work, ambition, success, or what others thought of me. The final three days with Ashley were full of unconditional love, deep and powerful meaning, and knowing that she was with God.

If you are at a place in your life where you think about legacy, give thanks that you are alive and those you treasure are alive. Take nothing for granted, if you love someone, let them know. Now! And again, and again, and again.

Every step forward...

Every laugh we share, every touch, and every tear we shed, is a reminder that life is sacred. From our greatest loss can rise our soul embracing a new life.

My life has been spent in education and mental health services. We're all healers and as we heal others, we heal ourselves. 

We can not escape our pain. I do not even try. My tears flow with love. I carry my beloved daughter with me and hold her close to my heart. Acceptance moves me forward.

Every step forward is an act of love. Maybe we love our pets and warm them with our unconditional love. Maybe we are teachers, counselors, nurses, and therapists. Maybe we disconnect from technology and look into the eyes of the person across from us and love them.