Hoth?

Are you familiar with Hoth?  Yes, the ice planet in the Empire Strikes Back.  Well today I had the opportunity to see Hoth in person down on Gilson Park Beach.  Where there are normally waves, large chunks of ice now live.  Mini-icebergs float in the lake.  The temperature being the low teens, we had the beach to ourselves and enjoyed throwing snowballs at by dad - when he wasn't looking of course.

First Semi-Camping Trip

This is a bit late, but back in October I had my first experience at camping, well semi-camping.  We could not spend the night since my dad had brought along my little sister.  It was a great night though, since we stayed at the camping sight until after 8:00 when it can be quite dark in the fall.  We still managed to play some football, look for critters in the a pond, eat food over a fire, use a flashlight out of necessity instead of fun, and finally a s'more cooked over an open fire.

Can't wait to go out again.  It is a good time and fun to get away from the screens for a bit.

Proud Papa

Proud day for my papa.  After starting on training wheels for years, then learning to glide by taking off my training wheels and pedals, today I was able to ride my bike with pedals and sans-training wheels.  My dad says it was one of his proudest moments of his life as he was able to witness me overcome a major challenge.

We started the day by taking a couple of practice runs in the driveway.  Then it was off to bike 'The Ridge', which is a huge festivals with hundreds of other bikers.  Finally upon returning home we biked around the neighborhood.  This time with my father riding his bicycle, while I rode mine.  I was even able to learn to get started on my bike without requiring a starting push by my father.

It was a great day and one that I am sure to never forget.

LTN

The best things in life are free

It has been said that the best things in life are free.  I am not positive though I believe this is meant to signify that love is the best thing in life.  In that case I have a love, second to none in my life.  That is the love playgrounds.  Honestly, what could possibly be better than trying to overcome a fresh physical challenge of a man made obstacle with the design purpose of requesting that you climb on it.  99% of my life I am told not to climb on things, yet here is this magic place where I am to act contra to my normal scoldings and actually climb, hang, slide, jump, and generally be as active and loud as possible.  It is kid heaven and the best thing about playgrounds, well actually the second best thing, is that they are abundant.  Playgrounds can be found everywhere: near schools, beaches, village downtowns, and of course parks.  Plus just like people, no two playgrounds are the same - so if you get board of one, just move down the street a couple of miles and you are sure to come across another one.

Life - full of free pleasures.

LTN

It has been awhile

It has been awhile since I last posted. Why, because something happened?

Something happened that caused my grandmother to cry.
Something happened that caused my aunts to cry.
Something happened that caused my mother to cry.
Something happened that caused my father to cry.
My grandfather died.

I have been blogging for quite a few years now.  It started before I was even born, when a proud, soon to be, dad heard that I would be entering the world, that was when my blog first took shape.  Over the years, it has been on and off depending on what was happening in my life.  The focus of my blog has always been the same, what is happening to me as I age.  Today will be different.

You see, I have grown.  No longer the little boy who allows the world to turn around him, I have aged, learned to take stock of my situation, and evaluate it for myself.  I have grown and now realize that my parents are not invincible.  They are not these gods that feel no pain, know everything, and will live forever.  They are moral, human, and flawed.

My father, lost his father.  My father lost a man who was the spiritual center of his life.  A father, as I have am learning, is the star that guides one's life.  When your father is a good man, a good husband, a good dad, then he provides a compass for which to point the way.  A father is there to answer questions, listen to your concerns, provide a road map for life, and most of all is a friend with all the time in the world to spend with you.  Until his time runs out.

My father is sad. For so many reason.  He is sad that I will not know more about my grandfather.  He is sad, that my sister will probably never remember our grandfather.  He is sad, that in this experience we call life, that the joy that comes from holidays, birthdays, graduations, and marriage ceremonies will not be shared with grandfather.  I think most of all he is sad, because men only have a few comrades.  A chosen 1/2 dozen men that they share with, trust, and honestly embrace their company.  Of all those men, my grandfather was top of heep for my dad.  My dad could sit for hours discussing politics, religion, marriage, family, money, career, education, and life with my grandfather.  They were mirrors of one another.

My grandfather loved to talk; my father loves to visit, share, and chat with just about anyone.
My grandfather was a man always wondering about the God; my father wonders, questions, seeks, and tries to be the religious role model for us kids.
My grandfather embraced technology; my father works in technology, tries to understand it, and consults others in how to best implement it.
My grandfather was a family man; my father puts family first, above all else he makes time for my sister and I.  My father tells me work can be great, but only family is there on your last days.

Finally, my father shares the follow...

It hurts.  If hurts.  It hurts.

Your gone and it hurts.

I love you grandpa, I love you dad.

LTN (co-authored by DTN)

My Dad

Things my dad does:

• Teaches me board games and usually lets me win
• Shows me 80's cartoons like Voltron and Transformers
• Builds Legos with me
• Chases me
• Wrestles me, now I know what a small package is
• Takes me on errands
• Shows me how to use tools
• Includes me when there are things to be fixed (e.g. the crawl space)
• Snuggles me
• Reads books to me
• Bathes me
• Walks me to school
• Goes with me on road trips
• Makes sure I know my extended family
• Challenges me with math problems
• Demonstrates how to do a proper push-up, so I can learn fitness
• Encourages me to run
• Sends me to great schools
• Attends birthday parties with me
• Takes me to church
• Teaches me how to 'share the peace'
• Lets me play with the iPhone
• Goes on bikes rides
• Signs me up for swim lessons
• Helps me brush my teeth
• Shows me how to draw
• Teaches me how to use color for visual interest

Lastly

Passes along Grandpa Nehring's teachings on God.  Never pushing or forcing me through the door to enlightenment - just shows me that the doors in open, shares the stories/teachings, and when I am want... I can enter.

Thanks Dad.

LTN

Happy Birthday Papa!

What a glorious day indeed.  Today, the man whom I can thank for providing me with at least 50% of the necessary genes for granting me life turned 39.  In the 5 years since my birth, I have had the pleasure of watching my father grow for a male full of spirit and spunk, to a man who places the future of his family as the highest priority.  He recently told me of a quote which he overheard, "God creates us as males, we choose to men."  I wish you well Papa on your continued journey to be a man.

Love and long life,

LTN