Celebrate Life

I admit it - My blog has been quite depressing lately. But, I guess that's understandable, huh?

Well- to try to lighten it up a bit - I thought it might be good to remind people about the things that make life so great.

My list is not going to be the same as yours, but maybe we have some overlaps...

1. Sunsets - always different, always amazing.
2. My puppy - She's always excited to see me - even if I've been gone for just minutes. That's amazing too.
3. The children's section in the bookstore — Just about all the books have happy endings and no political debates in sight.
4. A sunflower seed - How can something so big and pretty come from basically nothing? I guess could be said for all living things.
5. S'mores – Even if you don't like to eat them - there's something fundamentally relaxing about making them.
6. Campfire songs – The silliest of songs is the best song.
7. Holding hands in public – It's an absolutely non-offensive PDA, yet one of the most powerful that says- We're together and happy about it.
8. Band-aids – They are clear, flesh colored, plastic, fabric, and can feature just about every color and cartoon character you can think of. Did you ever wear one just for the heck of it?
9. Ice cream – A million flavors and just as good as a solid or a liquid - just ask any 4 year old.
10. Airplanes – I know that flying may not be the most enjoyable expience, especially as of late - but, honestly... How cool is it to get on one in one place, and get off a few hours later in some place completely different?

So those are a few just off the top of my head.

How about you?

My Grandfather died today.

My Grandpa died today. He was the last of my grandparents still living. And, I am crushed.

The passing of my last grandparent is hard because, in a way, it signals the end of my childhood.

My grandparents were amazing for me as a kid.

They had a farm that I spent so much of my childhood roaming around on. I watched Grandpa plant crops in the fall, and, in the fall, I sat on the wagon as my family bailed the hay. I made friends with the new young steers every Spring, and I wondered where older onces disappeared to in the Fall.

My grandma taught me how to play poker, dip donuts into coffee, wash and dry dishes by hand, enjoy the smell of lilacs, always be nice to waitresses and clerks at the grocery store, and laugh big.

My grandpa taught me the what it means to work hard, how to be proud of what you accomplished, to always appreciate what you have - no matter how little -, and - shhh - how to swear.

Now - I guess I have to face the fact that I'm an adult. But, even though I have to get older - I don't have to grow up. That much, I also learned from my Grandma.

And- even as the years pass, I don't believe I will ever stop missing my grandparents. Nor, do I believe I ever should have to. I owe them that at the very least.

Grandma & Grandpa - I love you.

What does the price of gas and Wisconsin's proposed health care plan have in common? Nothing... and that's exactly the point.

As I said before, I was at a Rotary lunch listening to a debate about the pros and cons about the proposed new health care coverage plan for Wisconsin.

Did you know that the Wisconsin government has this great idea to get EVERYONE into the plan (at the expense of corporations, of course, which already pay very high state taxes... Great way to showcase yet more reasons to keep doing business in Wisconsin - but I digress...).

And, each person simply has to choose between three plans of increasing levels of service and price (Read basic, premium and premium plus), then - POOF - health care costs will go down.

Excuse me, but I really see how putting people into low cost health coverage plans is going to bring down the cost of health care.

It's kind of like telling me that if everyone chooses between one of three models of cars to drive - the cost of gas will go down.

HUH?!

Ahhh... the government at work.

Wisconsin government's newest idea for reducing health care costs is just a bunch of hot air

I was at a Rotary lunch on Tuesday this week. At this lunch, we heard a debate about the pros and cons of the proposed Wisconsin health care plan.

Let's be honest - there are just certain things I don't trust the government to do:
1. Reduce my taxes
2. Refund me money when I've paid too much in tax
3. Spend my money more wisely than I would

thus, when the government tells me that they are going to require my company to participate in thier new health insurance program at a savings to my company, I have to laugh.

When has the government EVER saved you money?

If that's their opening arguement in favor of this program, I just can't wait to see where it all goes from here.

The pain of having someone close to you die could be a comfort.

So, my grandfater, the last of all of my grandparents, is fading fast. I know that, technically, I shouldn't feel too bad because he's almost 88 and has lived a very long and full life. But, let's be honest - does saying that make anyone feel better?

As his days are coming to a close, it really makes me sad. But, it got me to thinking, maybe being sad is the best possible outcome one could hope for.

After all, if I wasn't sad, it would mean that he and his life didn't mean anything to me.

So, I guess, in a way, being sad is the best and most genuine way you could say thanks to the person for all the good times and love.

Thus - to my grandpa - I'll miss you so much.