We surprised Nick when he got back from summer camp in August by pulling everything out of my home office and making it into his own bedroom.  New painted colors to fit a teenage boy, along with a great used bed, new bedding, dresser, chair and table, etc.  Hardwork to pull off but he really was surprised.

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you , I’m doing community service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I can not accept money from you. I’m doing
community service this week.’ The Congressman was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

BOTH POLITICIANS AND DIAPERS NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!

We should take time to remember the day–September 11th, 2001. A memory that will live on for every American that was alive on this horrific yet heroic day.

Just as I can recall several other terrible events in my life:
* The shooting of President Regan
* Coming home from school to learn that my dad was in the hospital after his van was crushed by a truck
* The explosion of the Challenger Space Shuttle
* The L.A. riots
* The Northridge earthquake
* And many others

So where were you when you heard the news about the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers?

I was heading into work at the plant and had a meeting scheduled with Neutrogena in Los Angeles for later in the day… was listening to the radio and heard something about a plane hitting a building in New York. As I kept listening then it became apparent that there was something really wrong with the situation and it was more then just some small propeller plane with a lone pilot that had somehow gone off course, but a full sized commercial plane with innocent civilians and crew on board.

I immediately called the house, and got a hold of Nicholas and asked him to go get mom out of the shower so she could turn on the news for more details. The rest of the day was spent watching tv updates and listening to the radio. Of course, Neutrogena and other businesses close to LAX airport announced immediate closures for the day for safety reasons and sent employees home.

So a lot of memories of images and stories about the horrible events of the day…

…and yet there are even more amazing stories of men and woman, making sacrifices and bringing hope to others. Friends and neighbors–that they may never have personally known–but due to circumstances were willing to help and give up their lives for others. Some police officers and firemen, city workers and businessmen. Ordinary citizens doing whatever was needed to try to survive and help others in an uncertain moment.

Think back to this day, and the days that followed as a nation, the United States came together in charity and grace to give of their time and money and resources to help. I recall the Red Cross receiving a surge of blood donations in the weeks after 9/11 as we came out to help prepare for what might be thousands of people in need of life saving blood. I remember the news stories of people leaving their homes and jobs and heading to New York to volunteer with the victims and the families touched by this day. Of the ways that clothes, food and money was donated to help go to rebuilding a city in shock and a country in mourning.

So as we stop to remember this 9/11… 9 years after 2001… may we give thanks to God for his continued goodness and blessings and be grateful for the privileges and the responsibilities we have in this great nation. May we continue to give thanks for the men and women that serve in our military here and abroad. For those that continue to serve as Police and Firemen and Medical professionals. May we give thanks for a new day to bring forgiveness, and love and unity to each other.

Never Forget.

Amazing home video a couple took that were a few blocks away from their apartment balcony: