Why You Need to Stop Worrying

Courtesy of Flickr

Courtesy of Flickr

SJ and BR both had speech delays. Now, they talk constantly. In fact, I recently threatened to throw SJ out of the house and drop him off at his first speech therapist who lives around the block from us.

BR had little to no interest in sports and subsequently was left out from many activities that his peers were involved in. My wife and I bought him a book about baseball last winter. Now, he is obsessed with everything baseball – statistics, playing, movies, etc.

SJ hated amusement rides. Three years ago he cried on the merry-go-round with my wife on one side and me on the other. This summer he went on every thrill ride that he was tall enough for.

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I Could Be Friends With An Alien

Courtesy of Flickr.com

Courtesy of Flickr.com

In the summer of 1982, Ms. L. took me and a bunch of the children on my block to the movies. Ms. L. was the mother of one of my best friends, David.

We sat in a packed theater in the middle of the day in our section of Northeast Philadelphia.

At one point during the movie, I noticed many people crying including Ms. L. “Are you kidding me?” I thought to myself.

While I was not moved as much as my friend’s mother, I also loved the movie. I knew when I walked out of the theatre that I had seen a movie that was special.

Tonight, I showed that movie to my children. Guess the movie. Continue reading

Mom, Dad and I or The College Selection Troika

Courtesy of Flickr

Courtesy of Flickr

Today, it’s all in the family. For my guest, I have my nephew Jesse. He is the oldest son of my oldest brother. Jesse is an avid reader, enjoys acting, and likes creative writing. In addition, he has volunteered his time to many charitable organizations.

Jesse, who was born on February 29, and is technically 4 years old is entering his senior year of high school. Therefore, he is going through the college selection process.

I proudly present to you my nephew on navigating college selection 2013 style.

My parents and I are going through the college selection process together. It would be easy for my parents to turn this into an unpleasant ordeal.

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I Retire From The Beach

Courtesy of Flickr.com

Courtesy of Flickr.com

“They’re at 17th street?”

“But he said today we’re at 20th street.”
My wife, children, mother, and I gathered our beach chairs and other paraphernalia and trudged back over the sand and to the car.
Fifteen minutes later.
“Where are they? Do you see them?”
“No.”  
I dropped the stuff, set up camp, and plopped into my beach chair.
“Hey isn’t that B (my cousin) waving?”
“Yup.”
Thirty minutes, two parking space searches, three walks across the hot shell infested sand, fourteen sighs, a gallon of sweat sweated off, and we finally found the rest of the family.
As we setup camp, my mother came over to me and made a declaration.