REMEMBER

Recently, my family experienced a tragic loss of a family member.  The loss has left a huge hole in our family.  Moving forward is not easy, but it is comforting to know that Kyle is at peace.  Kyle is my nephew and was just 24 years old.  Although he was with us for a short time he has touched many peoples lives.  Below is a tribute to Kyle's memory that will be with my family for generations to come.

Kyle is a giver!  He never hesitated to offer his time and talents to help a person in need.  He is the first person to help when trees fall and need to be removed, RV’s need to be driven for a group of middle-aged people pretending to be younger than they are, dogs that need to be watched (even the aging kind that need to be lifted up and down stairs), cousins that are in need of care, and brothers are need advice!  Never hesitate, never ask why, and he never would say he CAN’T. 

Kyle’s personality allows him to embrace life to the fullest.  He would not be a person to sit on the sidelines and watch or want.  He PARTICIPATES!  He SHARES!  HE ENJOYS!

KYLE enjoyed many FIRSTS! 

•                   First day of Kindergarten
•                  First good grade
•                  College graduate
•                  Career

These firsts he shared and enjoyed with all of us.  These memories we will have forever.  Although there is a hole in our hearts it is alright to be angry, to cry, to laugh, to be angry some more, and to just BE. 

KYLE is loved, will be loved, and will be missed.

As the LORD says in:

Thessalonians 1 4:13-14

  “Brothers, we do not want to be ignorant about those who “have died”, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have “died” in him.”

Knowing Kyle’s faith journey in the Lord these words comfort me.  Kyle wrote not long ago to about my family losing a dog…”Uncle Doug, I’m sorry to hear about Buddy, but I’m glad he is in peace and can now keep Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Bill company.”

Be angry, have a discussion with God, cry, laugh, and just BE...knowing that Kyle is at PEACE.

Fiscal Cliff NOT Avoided!

Hi All,

Wow has time passed.  The holidays are over and the New Year has begun.  Apparently, our wonderful leaders in Washington have come together to pass a bill that will not increase taxes.  The only problem is that when I received my first paycheck in the New Year it was smaller than the last paycheck of 2012.

I thought there was a mistake so I took the liberty of using Excel to help me determine what has transpired.  After a fews keystrokes I find that federal taxes AND social security tax have both increased.  But you say, President Obama has clearly stated in speech after speech that taxes on the middle class will not increase.

I clearly must have made a mistake and my calculations must be off since President Obama has spoken so clearly.  A second and third review yields the same results.  Taxes increased!

In fact, taxes have increased by 2.3%; 2% for social security taxes and 0.3% on Federal taxes.  Mr. President, I must be mistaken for that 2% of the population that are the "wealthiest" and need to pay their fair share.  However, I'm clearly the definition of middle class living in a home built in 1940, two vehicles with the newest one 8 years old, and three kids that view eating out at a restaurant as vacation.

With the tax increase, my net pay will be less this year.  Mr President, if you have problems balancing the budget here's a tip, spend less than you make.  There's also the idea of eliminating redundant services and positions.  Another option is to improve current processes.  Private sector calls it "efficiency".  This is obviously a foreign topic when walking through any federal building.

I expect to wake up from this nightmare to find my next paycheck with the tax percentages similar to last year.  If not, Mr. President please do not look into the camera during your next speech to say that taxes on the middle class have not increased.  If you do, you are clearly lying.  The last two presidents that were caught lying had some serious issues.  One was impeached, Nixon while the other stained a dress!

Until next time........

Travel and Family

Hi All,

Hope the world around you is filled with fun experiences that challenge yourself.  Challenges are necessary to keep us moving forward to continually improve ourselves.  Sometimes these challenges arrive in the form of work travel.  Work travel is the great divide that stretches the bounds of family from physical presence to mental presence.

Lately, travel has consumed my life on a weekly basis.  The challenge is amazing, yet is filled with rewarding moments.  Being away from family is never easy, but mentally families are ALWAYS close and never too far apart if you put family first.  The beginning and end of everyday should be with family.  No matter where travels may take you or how great the distance between family members become, beginning and ending the day talking to, writing journal entries, or just thinking about family reduces the distance and keeps families together.

On your next business trip, put family first and you will find that the trip is easier on everyone!

Until next time...