Maddie's Mission

Though I've tried before to tell her
 all the feelings I have for her in my heart
 Every time that I come near her
 I just lose my nerve as I've done from the start

  Every little thing she does is magic
  Everything she do just turns me on
  Even though my life before was tragic
  Now I know my love for her goes on  The other day I was tidying up the basement and came across a book titled, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff and it got me thinking about our last visit to CHOP. The philosopher in me gets the idea that you shouldn't worry about the little things in life because somehow life continues on past the day to day woes. To be honest, I've preached the same story to my kids over and over again when they would come home with concerns that those of use who are "older and wiser" have overcome without bumps or bruises. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I learned at CHOP that every little thing Madd...

When I wake up early in the morning Lift my head, I'm still yawning When I'm in the middle of a dream Stay in bed, float up stream Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me Leave me where I am - I'm only sleeping Everybody seems to think I'm lazy I don't mind, I think they're crazy Running everywhere at such a speed Till they find there's no need Please, don't spoil my day, I'm miles away And after all - I'm only sleeping As the youngest of six, I looked up to my older siblings for a variety of reasons, but when it came to sleeping in, Michael was the ace.  Of course there were other things that made him cool including his willingness to let his younger brother hang out with the older dudes (as long as I promised not to speak), his skill rebuilding customized VW engines in lightning speed, his fried bologna sandwiches, and his ability to make me laugh so hard my sides would ache.  While each of these deserves their own story, ex...

I could see it was a rough-cut Tuesday Slow-motion weekdays stare me down Her lipstick reflex got me wound There were no defects to be found Snapshot image froze without a sound Freeze Frame! Freeze Frame! Freeze Frame! Freeze Frame! Freeze Frame! Now Freeze! I am usually the one taking the photos.  Just like my dad, I find it more interesting to take photos than to pose in them.  I prefer to be the clown behind the camera getting others to smile or better yet, grabbing that innocent pose they weren't expecting.  This interest is helpful, as God did not necessarily grant me a face ready for GQ magazine or the patience to sit and say "Cheese!”  Fortunately, I was lucky enough to marry someone whose good looks and patience were past down to my kids so when Genzyme called requesting a photo shoot I was OK to sit back and watch.  Our photographer Chris flew straight from recording the tornado damage in Tupelo and arrived...

Two of us sending postcards writing letters on my wall You and me burning matches lifting latches on our way back home We're on our way home We're on our way home We're going home You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead Back in the day before CNN, DVDs, and flat screens, there was something called television.   Not satellite television or on-demand television, just television.   For the benefit of those who are two young to remember, TVs used to be a big box with one dial, rabbit ears, and channels from 1-13, if you were lucky.   Growing up in Southern California’s 70’s, the line-up was simple.   Channels 2, 4, and 7 were the networks; 5 and 9 were the locals; channel 6 was PBS; and the others ran programs I usually ignored.   During the week, you had Sesame Street and The Electric Company in the morning, and The Brady Bunch and Adam 12 after school.   Saturday morning meant Bugs Bunny and Sunday meant Popeye...

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself in another part of the world And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here? Letting the days go by, let the water hold me down Letting the days go by, water flowing underground Into the blue again, after the money's gone Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground Wikipedia defines déjà vu as the feeling that one has already witnessed or experienced a situation. While I don't believe in previous lives, old souls, and all that stuff, I must admit to having that déjà vu feeling before.  While strange, it can be somewhat comforting especially when you try to figure out what to do next.  If I have been here before it must all work out, right?  Unfortunately, I could not find a definition for the feeling you have when you realize you have...

Breaking rocks in the hot sun I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won I needed money ‘cause I had none I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won I left my baby and it feels so bad I guess my race is run She's the best girl that I ever had I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won I'm not much for reality TV in general.  I try to shy away from the Real Housewives of Orange County, the Jersey Shore, the Bachelor, and especially Toddlers with Tiaras.  Seriously, what is up with those moms?  However I must admit once in a blue moon I've been captivated by Lock Up on MSNBC.  This is the show where they visit one crazy, scary prison each week and talk about life behind bars.  I usually cannot make it through an episode before I have to recheck all the locks, pull the covers over my head, and furiously count sheep before I head off to sleep.  So, you can imagine my fear when Donna...

I've got to admit it's getting better It's a little better all the time I have to admit it's getting better It's getting better Since you've been mine They say misery loves company.  Unfortunately, I’ve sometimes found this to be true when it comes to people facing the tough issues in life.  It is far too easy to play the victim and become bitter instead of looking the challenge in the eye and daring to fight on.  There’s no doubt that life with a chronic disease is not all wine and roses.  I see it in my own house when days filled with exhaustion or weakness can darken the brightest mood.  While I wish these days never came my daughters’ way, they will continue.  However, when those days arrive I ask them to get back up and remember a time when the light shined and filled them with hope.  Fortunately for our family, the sun always shines in Gainesville. About a year ago we took our first trip down to Gainesville, Florida to meet Dr. Barry Byrne....