26 August 2010
It has been quite awhile since I have posted to the BLOG and much has happened over the past 20 + days! I have heard from many of you inquiring about my health, the book, the kids and my future plans. To put everyone at ease...you should know that my health has stabilized somewhat and that I am feeling considerably better then I have at any point over the past five months.
The ACE/I that I am currently taking has made a huge impact on my life...at least in the short-term...and given me back a measure of functionality that was missing from my life since April 14, 2010. Gone are the blackouts and low blood pressure issues that punctuated my daily routine...my heart is not getting better but it is not deteriorating as quickly as it had in the past...and my kidneys have done a complete "180" ...so yes...I am in a better place then when I last chatted with many of you. More about that later....
The day has finally come when our eldest son, Jake, heads off to college. Suffice to say there is an equal measure of both exhilaration as well as sadness as he moves to this next phase in his life. Gone are the days of the little kid learning to ski; afternoons at Holy Cross Academy; the young hockey player at the Fredericksburg Ice Park and the many high school lacrosse games across the state....all replaced by the stark reality that he is now a college student...an athlete...and now...an adult!
As many of you know Jake will be heading out to Ferrum College (www.ferrum.edu) to play Lacrosse and ultimately...to study business administration. It has been a long summer leading up to this moment...and one that was punctuated by equal amounts of travel, friends, additional travel and finally...yes more travel! Jake spent a good part of his summer on the road with his brother, his close friends and visiting relatives...and a large portion of that time was spent at the beach. He called me yesterday from Virginia Beach where he and his friends had gone for the day...in a last ditch effort to capture some "rays" before everyone in his inner circle finally disperses and heads off to school.
As I look back over the past 18 years, I have often told both Jake and Ian that I remember (vividly) the day that each of them was born....as well as the ensuing emotions over those years...as they developed and matured into the young men they are today. They don't necessarily understand why I tell them this...but one day...when they become parents...they will! To see Jake packing his stuff up to finally leave is bittersweet as a parent...proud of this accomplishment on the one hand...and yet...sad...as he moves on with this next chapter in his life.
When I see Jake take off for the western portion of Virgina here in a couple of days I will be overcome with emotion...just as I was on the day he was born. You see...Jake has become a "go to guy" when things needed to be done or I needed help in any way...Jake (and Ian) was always there...he was a cornerstone for me over the past couple of months given all the medical issues I was tending to and I know he will continue to be there...its just he will be 4.5 hours away...and so meeting at Potomac Mills, or on Route 610 or at the house will soon become a distant memory...and it is those memories that I will always cherish...and yes Jake...I will always remember the good looking kid pulling up in the parking lot with his sun glasses on and stepping out...always with an air of confidence...and always ready to banter with his Dad no matter the situation.
Jake recently had his wisdom teeth taken out and I went to the dentist office with him. He suffered through the painful extraction of four teeth with only general Novocaine...suffice to say he was in quite a bit of pain for a few days following that...but true to form...he was soon up and running around...and back at the beach with his friends! I was happy that the extraction was not the final memory that he had from the summer of 2010...and hopefully the day of wake boarding we recently had will also hold a special place in his heart as well!
I will miss him when he goes...I know its easier today to stay in touch with phone and email as well as social networking...but not having him close really drives home the fact that we are all getting older...and that life does go on! Jake will have a host of activities and early morning classes to keep him occupied...not to mention college lacrosse season as well...but I am sure that when the money runs dry or a new stick, clothes, computer or shoes are needed...or just some sage advice...Dad will always be on speed dial...as it has been so many times in the past...and will be well into the future! I look forward to those calls Jake...and I will always be there to answer!
Ian and I spoke yesterday as well...he is running cross country for Colonial Forge High School this year...and he had just made it through his first team practice...and he let me know...he was hurting! I know the pain he went through and will go through as he pushes himself in preparation for the season opener. Cross country was an event I ran in high school as well...many hours spent recovering from the miles as well as spills encountered out on the trail... but Ian is a runner...and built like one...he has morphed into this long and lean machine capable of racking up the miles...I have no doubt that he will excel at this sport! He also has hockey season quickly approaching and will assume his position as goaltender once again...we are anxiously awaiting his first game!
For those of you wondering....yes...the book is already available in "e-format" version through venues such as Amazon.com or E-books.com...but please...do not buy it...at least not yet...the first run did not incorporate the pictures that I had originally submitted and I am holding the publisher accountable to make sure that this effort encapsulates everything that I put into it...I hope to have the hard copies in my hand in the coming weeks and will disperse them accordingly. One venue in Stafford, VA has already agreed to keep the book on its shelf and IAVA as well as other veteran organizations in the DC area are also looking at "sponsoring" the roll out of the book...more to follow on that!
Life On Point Consultants (LOPC) has also taken off and is currently working for a major Not For Profit Organization in California with a strategic focus on humanitarian work throughout Asia. I will travel to the region here shortly to lend subject matter expertise to ongoing efforts. The LOPC website (lifeonpointconsultants.com) will be updated once I return to reflect the new direction and organizational approach in working in Asia as well as our other initiatives across the globe. Additionally a new LOPC Chief Operating Officer will also be introduced at that time...in this role she will assume responsibility for ensuring that both the LOPC mission as well as future operational initiatives are carried out in a professional manner. We are very excited this new venture and how it will impact not only LOPC but the federal and private sector clients we currently serve.
That is it....but more to follow!
Brian
20 years ago today…I remember the hour; and the minute...the location and the moment you came into the world! You were a breath of fresh air for all of us…and every day since then has been the same. I remember the Boy Scouts; the hockey games; towing you behind the car in snow storms at Ft. Bragg; thinking about you learning to drive at 9 years of age! I remember when you broke your elbow playing roller hockey; riding the 4 wheeler; your first day on skis; your second day on a snowboard; the times with Renegade and Ranger; the loss of Rusty; Sherman and Liz…and a host of other animals like Luther! I remember that day you became an Eagle Scout…and completed that part of life’s journey...and then like now...thinking how very proud of you…for being you.
