Holiday season

Halloween has come and gone and now Thanksgiving is here upon us. Today is Veterans Day and my Boy Scout Troop puts out over 500 flags on this day and 5 other national holidays during the year. This year today seems to be extra special. Alot of media attention for today to honor those soldiers who have served to protect our freedom and our way of life. My hat goes off to each and every soldier. Our troop is supporting the 176th Engineering Bridage this season. If you have time, give a small gift to a soldier. Even a card means alot to these guys. We enjoy our rights because they give up their holidays to make sure we get our holidays.

As for me, I am doing pretty good. Still have issues with my shoulders. Guess it will be with me from now on. Just have to work through it. But the good news is that my last cat scan found no cancer. Also had prostrate and colon exam and those also came up clean. So other than getting old I am pretty good shape. I still have tingly feet and my fingers are a little numb and my taste buds are still trying to make a comeback, but hey, it could be alot worse!

I would ask each of you to say a prayer for one of my grandsons, Walker. He is having additional medical problems. He is an energic 4 year old and loves life in spite of his problems. It's a lesson we can all learn from in that in spite of his condition he is happy (most of the time) and a joy to be around.

As I get ready to go into this holiday season, I have been reflecting my life the last couple of years. I am here for a reason. I still don't know why but God has a plan for me and I may never know if I have passed the test. So each day, I get out of bed (roll out of bed is more like it!) and approach each day as a new opporunity to help someone, whether it be physically, mentally or through prayer. My patience is alot better now. This last Sunday was the first day in a couple of months that I just relaxed (well, almost). Nothing had to get done. I have alot to get done but took the time to smell the roses, to feel the velvet of the rose and to admire the beauty of God's work. Do I slow down enough? The answer is probably no, but I hope that my activities are doing God's work and that I am making a difference in someone's life.

Going camping this weekend. Have about 20 boys and adults going to Big Spring to camp, put up bird houses, have a flag retirement ceremony and have a campfire. It will be a little chilly but it will be a good weekend to help these young men learn something about themselves and for me to learn more about me. I think the greatest pleasure in life is knowing that you make a difference in someone's life, however small. There is no reward, just a piece of mind that I have helped someone this day to make their life a little better.

Hope all of you have a great day and great week. God Bless Each of YOU this day! Steve