Hope you had a good Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day Spring cleaning, Emma, Richelle, and now me, dealing with some nasty sniffles and coughs. As the day wound down, Emma’s Grandparents came by for some hamburgers and hot dogs, and I got the opportunity to tell Emma that the day was a holiday for people like her Granddad who served in the military, serving all of us.

NPR: Memorial Day Miracle At ‘The Wall’

NPR: Keeping The Memory Of World War II Veterans Alive

NPR: Memorial Day: Not Just For Barbecue

Why is it that we don’t hold our elected officials – hold ourselves – to ethical codes (if not similar then complimentary) that we honor our military for? Is it because we don’t permit ourselves to share such burden that we are, as Rafe Colburn says, losing our moral compass?

Richelle’s grandfather passed away in his sleep yesterday morning

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, especially Emma. She got to know grandpop over the past couple months and she liked him very much.

She is blissfully unaware right now, but the questions will come. They can’t be blown off – she simply doesn’t fall for distractions so easily anymore.

How deep you explain death to a three year old – one that is intellectually curious and has the smarts to handle it – will be hard. Even if it is the simple, “he’s in heaven, with mom-mom Rita and God”.

“People don’t realize that homeless does not mean bum, addict. Homeless means without a home.”

That’s Aislyn Oliver, who , along with her husband, John Washington, recently talked with Daniel Rubin, and shared their inspirational story with and the Inquirer.

Recently wrapped up my first class at college

A lot of fears of mine were proven unfounded as my first class at Villanova has come to a recent close. While it was a challenge to balance out my responsibilities at work and home with the class, I made it. I participated in class (probably was among the top two conversation drivers in fact), and had a great time writing essays and reading the material required. Now I’m looking forward to re-upping, but this time, closer to either home or work. Villanova is perfect for a working adult, and I’m happy to have went there for my first class, but if I am to take multiple courses a semester, it has to be faster to reach or online. The hours spent driving were hours that could have been spent studying or helping at home.

Last week I attended an information session at Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies. What it could provide in terms of flexibility, coursework, and distance were great – but cost – at about $10-$15k a year isn’t responsible for my family.

I’m planning on checking out the Graduate! Philadelphia organization next. There’s a solution that will fit and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey.

You have no idea how blessed I feel to have this opportunity.

Emma tells jokes

And this won’t surprise my friends – she tells them better than me!

“Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide!”

“Why is six afraid of seven?

Because seven ate nine!”

“Whats black and white and red all over?

The newspaper!”

Her timing is great.

Her knock knock jokes need some work, she lets you ask “who’s there” but answers the whole thing with someone’s name and a smile and laugh. Then again – that’s just awesome.