Today, Saturday, March 19, is my birthday. Well, around 7pm will be the official mark of my 58th year of life.
I was born on my uncle Tom’s 15 birthday and he and I were best of friends until his death on April 17, 1987, at the young age of 49. We had a lot of dreams and plans for our lives. No one expected either of us to not even make it to 50.
God had other plans. Had our plans worked out, Jan and I would be living in a two-story log cabin (that we built … we already had the plans) on about 3.5 acres of land atop a part of the foothills of a chain of mountains (I think it’s a part of the foothills of the Cumberland Plateau of the Appalachians) that sort of peter out in north Alabama. Tom and I would have our pilot’s license and be co-owners of a small aircraft. I’d be certified in SCUBA (Tom was a master diver / instructor for PADI and though we did some dives together, I never was certified as his cancer put an end to his diving). I’d have a couple of horses and a milk cow. And Tom and Betsy would be living across the street on their 30 acres of land where we’d sit on the porch together and swap grandparent stories.
But God had other plans for Tom … and me. Tom died of a horrible cancer. I moved to Florida for a horrible 7 of the 8 years we were there. Then we moved to California for what I thought would be no more than three years. After almost 20 years out here, I am now an ex-preacher, a funeral director, a grandfather, a home owner (I will be the owner in just over 17 more years), an old goat, an elder in a church that isn’t the church in which I grew up, and probably a resident here until God calls me home. When that happens, I assume our son will give his mama a good deal on a funeral service. And I hope a few people will show up to comfort my family.
I get to speak at our church about every 5-6 weeks, and that is a blessing. To me, at least. I can’t say just how much of a blessing it is for others.
At first I was going to celebrate by having all the elders and their wives over for dinner at our house … sort of a chance to get to know them better. But that didn’t work out. Actually, we did that last Sunday evening. If it’s not raining, we’ll probably be picking up trash along our (Chorus Church) mile of State Highway 79 North. We do this once a month as a community project. It only takes about an hour and makes a huge difference in the appearance of this stretch of road. [We were rained out.]
Jessica is supposed to come over and we’ll all go out for dinner. I was hoping for Phil’s BBQ, but that’s a 70-mile round trip drive and with gas prices what they are ….
As for presents … Janice has all the guitars our living room walls can handle, so there’s no need for much of a present, though I’ve been considering an e-reader of some type.
I think I’ll give myself a present, though. And I’ve thought about this considerably. There is an old Indian saying (though I have no idea how old the old Indian was when he said it) that goes something to this effect: When the horse is dead, dismount.
I think the blog horse is definitely dying, if not dead, and I’m past ready to dismount. One of my best friends in life, Randy, encouraged me to start this thing while we were skipping lectures at Pepperdine in May of 2005. After writing for almost six years, I’m ready to let it go, though I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have been blessed beyond my imagination with friends.
I started writing so I could share my life story for my children and a few friends. I wrote a blog each weekday for a few years just to force myself to pay attention to what was going on around me and look for God in the small, “insignificant” matters of each day. I’m not sure my family even reads this thing any longer as blogging is yesterday’s technology, but I’ve written what I wanted to write for them.
That said, our blog community (we used to call it our blog church) has pretty much disbanded. The few who are still writing continue to bless me and I’ll continue to read and respond. But many of the ones who made this a very special part of my life have long since stopped writing and most of them have stopped making comments. I’m tempted here to name everyone who has blessed me and how you have blessed me, but I know I’d omit someone and that would defeat the purpose. But I have thought about each of you, individually, and am so very grateful for you.
If I have anything left to write, I’ll post a short version on Facebook, though I am not a huge fan of Facebook. As for Twitter … not a chance. Just the name is too sissy for me. When I’ve had time to go through the posts and get the ones I want to keep (I’m going to put them in book form for my kids and grandkids … hopefully), I’ll have Brad shut this down for good.
So thanks for the blessings you’ve given through this medium.
Thanks for reading. I never thought so many would.
Thanks for your comments. They were often better than the blog.
Thanks for making me laugh. Often.
Thanks for challenging me on many levels. Sometimes too often.
Thanks for setting me straight on a few things. Probably not often enough.
Thanks for letting me vent. I usually felt better, maybe at your expense.
Thanks for enduring my attempts at math in a public forum. What was I thinking?
Thanks for your many prayers. They sustained me.
Thanks for allowing me the honor of praying for you. I was honored.
Finally, thank you for being a very special part of my life. You have no idea, especially these past three years. You were my social community.
If you’ve been a reader but never left a comment, I’ve opened up the comments so anyone can leave one without having to register.
After five years, ten months and 1,277 posts …
I hereby dismount.
happy Bday!
This is so sad, am going to miss this,
losing all my online friends one by one,
it has been fun!
take care!
[Thanks, Janice. You've been a part of our community from almost the start and have been a blessing to me. Keep sharing your world through photography as you have a gift for that.]
Well Greg, this news breaks my heart! Still, I fully understand. I know this can’t have been an easy decision for you, and you are probably having many mixed emotions. Giving something up after this long has to be akin to divorce or death.
I can say with all honesty, since I found your blog I have been a faithful reader and have enjoyed the ride. You always make me smile and often make me look at things in a different light. I was especially fond of the “Dear Muz” letters as well as the love that flowed from the page when you would write of your wife, children and grandchildren.
I pray we can stay in touch and I especially hope too meet you and Janice one of these days.
So my friend, enjoy your birthday present, I am wishing you a very Happy Birthday and many more to come. Should the desire to ever blog again run through your veins, I pray you will let me know.
You WILL be missed!!
I will leave you with this Indian Proverb-
Certain things catch your eye,
But pursue only those
that capture your heart.
[Janice, you were a "late-comer" to our community, but I feel as if you've been with us the whole way. Your blogs have caused me to think ... often more than I really wanted to think on a given day. I have treasured our friendship both on this medium and via email. I'll keep reading as long as you keep writing. And thanks, again, for the devotional book. I still use it and benefit from it.]
What a great ride! I am so glad that we actually got to meet face to face. This whole blog world has been such a blessing to me. I’ve met friends I never would’ve known, met a man I never would’ve married, and said things I never should’ve said but God seems to use everything to work together for good. (Haven’t I heard something like that before?)
I’ll miss hearing about the babies – I look forward to meeting them another time.
Happy Trails!
[Definitely one of the high points of the ride was meeting you, the future "Mr. Terri" and Donna at Pepperdine! Love ya, gal!]
Greg, you will never really know how much I have enjoyed reading your blogs. It has been my connection to my wonderful brother and family. Thanks for sharing those memories of your life with Janice and your children and the great stories of your life with your grandchildren as well as stories of you and Chipper that always made me laugh. The blogs of Muz were very special to me and brought wonderful memories of her as I read them. As I have told you many times, you are a great writer. I really sometimes felt we were sitting in the same room with you telling a story and then playing some music on one of your instruments. I connect these memories with the one when you and the family were here and we were sitting in the living room talking and laughing. Then you would take your guitar and play beautiful music. What memories!!
Happy, happy birthday to you. Your brothers are hunting in South Alabama. I am sure they will give you a call sometime today. I pray you will have a wonderful time with your family as you celebrate your birthday. I love you very much.
[If I were tempted to continue blogging, it would be to stay somewhat connected with you, Margie. Seems this has been our main means of communication. Lord knows this family is not much for making phone calls ... though I did get a call from Alan this morning but I couldn't answer at the time.
I also know that early on, you would print off my blogs and take them for Mom to read. She loved to read them and we later talked about them in our almost daily and certainly weekly phone calls. I hope you know how much I love you.]
Dearest Greg -
For once I am speechless (commentless?). There are no words I can write which will convey how I deeply feel about you ending your blog. You and your writings here – and in emails and on the phone – and Skype – have brought great joy to my life and a treasured friendship to both me and Tom.
I shall miss you here terribly. But, fully intend to keep making your life miserable by my long emails and other intrusions into your life. I’m sure I’ll be able to think of some barbed things to say to rile you up if I really try hard enough. With you, I don’t usually have to try that hard, seeing as how you are such a gracious and generous recipient of my sarcasm and attempts at wit.
God be with you, my friend. Go with God. Wherever He leads you. If He should lead you back this way, the better for us. But, if not – we understand and will keep up with you elsewhere.
With a heavy heart and deep sadness,
Dee
[Dee ... our friendship has grown beyond blog buddies. You and Tom have truly become a part of our lives. I remember when you called me at my office in Long Beach and in our conversation, you asked, "Do you ever say (%&# ?" and as surprised as I was that you would ask me, a stranger and a preacher, that question, I had to admit that yes, I have used that word too many times! That also endeared you to me. We will continue to "talk" by email, Skype, and phone and as long as we live on this earth, or one of us really ticks the other one off, we'll remain good friends. And you know either I or Craig will be reading and commenting on your stories. Much love, my dear friend.]
How sad! I’ll miss the grandkids stories that show the wonderful you, I’ll miss your misadventures of home improvement, I’ll miss the laughter-sometimes to the point of tears, but most of all, I’ll miss the easy way you have told the story of you relationship with the Mrs. and your walk with God together. May God bless you both and your family- You will be missed! Next time your in Long Beach, look us up for lunch Facebook Matthew or me. BLESSINGS on your continuing journey.
[Thanks! It was a good ride.]
Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember asking you that, Greg, I think the very first time we talked. I guess I was having trouble with it at the time and wanted to see if anyone else did, too. I probably was “secretly” testing you to see if you were a “real” guy or just some stuffed shirt preacher man who wouldn’t know real life if he saw it.
Well, you’ve proved your worth and way more in being a real guy. A real man. A very real Christian brother and friend. We’ve been through some tough things together, but right now things are “okay” with us, and that’s not a bad place to be.
I replied to your comments over at Finding Direction earlier (and to the other commenters), now trying to stay out of trouble with Tom, who for some reason wants me to stop writing about him!! Can’t imagine why, can you? I told him it’s just that he’s so blasted “cute.” That REALLY made his day. ha!
Cheers!
Dee
[Does Tom think he is somehow immune from blog articles? Really? Am I going to have to start blogging again just to nail Tom? Is this some sinister plot?
I thought you were "testing" me with that phone call as well, but those who know me, know that I am basically the same guy in the pulpit as out. No pretense ... other than occasionally I pretend that I'm in a good mood when most of the time I'm just another ticked off kind of guy.]
I don’t comment very often, but I try to read you as regularly as I do Patrick & Dee. All the commenters above have pretty much said what I feel.
[Marilyn: To be put in the same class as Drs. Mead and Andrews is just short of awesome! Thanks for reading.]
I still read your blog although I don’t always comment. But hey, you kept up with yours MUCH longer than I ever did with mine. I have always enjoyed coming here and reading what you have to say. I will miss this but I can hunt you down on Facebook.
I hope you had a fabulous birthday dinner.
[Thanks, Glenda. The Speaks family has been a very special part of our life in CA. You know we love you!]
What can I say? Reading your daily insights was the best part of my morning. I’ll miss the perspective, the laughter, the tears, and the prayers, The only thing that makes it easier is that we’ll still stay in touch personally. As always, you’ve blessed my life with your friendship, your encouragement, your honesty and your wisdom. Mrs. Wallysdad will miss reading your blog also, and although she rarely commented she always enjoyed the blog and the comments. Happy birthday, brother, we’ll see you really soon.
Love you,
Steve
[I suppose it goes without saying, but I'll say it: Few people and few families have been as close to us as you and your family. I can't imagine our lives without having you and your family a part of it. And to know that we'll continue to be in touch and get together is one of the joys of my life. And what would your life be without some of my southern sayings?
]
P.s.
As of today it’s officially Wally and Winnie’s dad. Also I love my kids too!
[Looking forward to seeing you the end of this month and meeting the new kid, Winnie.]
I’m sorry to see it end. I haven’t commented very often, but I’ve been a faithful reader. I haven’t written on my blog in some time, but I haven’t given up on it yet. It’s tough to write what’s really on your heart when you’re employed by a church. I’m sure you understand…..
Blessings to you and your family.
[Jeff: You have been a reader for a while and I followed your blog the same way, seldom commenting. I definitely understand where you are wanting to express what's on your heart and being unable to do so. I was blessed that I could express my heart when I was preaching at Long Beach and there were no negative repercussions from the leadership. Most of them felt the same way! Thanks for leaving a comment on this final blog. Means a lot to me.]
Dear Greg,
I know that you haven’t died, but I almost started this comment with “it is with much sadness that I write,” but it really is. I’m sad that you won’t be writing anymore. I’ve enjoyed ‘knowing’ you, and getting to know you. I’ve loved all or your stories and all of your insights and all of your dumbness! God bless you and your wife as y’all continue on in your work at the funeral home an/or in wherever y’all decide to go from there. Enjoy your work and enjoy your worship with the Chorus church. Your blog will definitely be missed! Thanks for the enjoyment. Vicky Pruitt
[Thanks, Vicky, for the kind words. You are one of those people I wish I could have known beyond the blog sight as we had a lot of common experiences in our families. If you are on FB and not a friend, send me a request. I'll be putting some things there from time to time.]
I’m with Jel, I feel like a friend of mine is going away. I’ve come to appreciate your sarcasm and your wit. More than that, I love how you love your family and your God. I’ve said it before, there are writers and there are bloggers. I’m a blogger, and I’m okay with that. I’ll do the best with what God has given me. But you, my friend, are a writer. You make words come alive. Well done.
Thanks for your friendship and your kindness. Can’t wait for us to meet one day.
[Trey: Thanks for the kind words. I will continue to drop by your blog daily as you have blessed me greatly with your stories and ministries. I truly hope we'll meet in this life some day. If you can fanagle your way to speak at Pepperdine some year, I'll drive out to hear you. Maybe we can even grab a meal together. I hope so.]
This very latecomer has enjoyed your posts, especially about your grandchildren. But I get it. There are seasons for everything and we have to be willing to move on to other things.
God bless you and yours, and thank you.
[Thanks for your comments along the way. Thanks for reading.]
Greg,
I am also one of your readers who doesn’t comment and gave up writing on my blog since Facebook took over my life. I never felt I was able to express myself as well as many blog writers, especially you and Dee Andrews. I also have made some new friends because of blogging and I am grateful for that. See you on Facebook.
Vonnie
[Vonnie: I'll always remember meeting you in the bookstore at Pepperdine ... what a blessing it has been to meet people in person who first "met" me by reading my blog. God's blessings to you.]
I can’t even imagine not communicating with you. You have truly blessed my life in so many ways I couldn’t possibly name them. Though I’m not blogging, I’ve continued to come by your place, and you and your family will always be in my thoughts nad prayers. I covet yours, as well. I refuse to say goodbye (you know I’m not good at letting go!). I’ll see you on Facebook and an e-mail from time to time. May God’s very richest blessings be yours, my friend.
[Judy ... don't know what to say other than you've been a faithful prayer-warrior on my behalf. I have valued our friendship, our emails, and a few phone conversations. Take care of yourself and Doris and that cat!
]
My daily dose of the wit and wisdom of Greg is leaving? Say it ain’t so! I’ve come to look forward to beginning my morning with you and have enjoyed every moment. Thanks for the long distance friendship – it has come to mean so much to me, and I hope will continue in other forms.
Thanks, Greg – and God bless you and yours richly.
John
[John, one of the wonderful rewards of blogging was meeting you that year for Pepperdine, having you stay with us in Long Beach, and just sharing our lives. You have blessed me with friendship and more than a few sermon ideas! There are many good sources of wit and wisdom out there, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding something far better than anything I ever wrote.]
Well, I are be one of the departed members of the blog church. It was a fun ride and I’ve been peeking back from time to time. As always, you have blessed me and made me laugh. As has been so often in the past – the Lord is blessing with another time of travel to hang out with you and the fam in SoCal. I look forward to that time and our time on the high (I hope they’re not too high
) seas.
[Yes, you were one of the early defectors and we have not forgiven you. And yes, it will be good to have you and the Puckster out here for a couple of days. If it were more than a couple of days, it might not be as much fun!
What a ride, huh?]
Greg, Happy Birthday! You’re not blogging any more is very sad for me; but understandable. I started attending the Long Beach church in 1994. I was raised up in the cofc. After listening to your preaching for a few times, I was so glad that I found a cofc preacher who was saying what I had been thinking for a long time. I love your honestly and down to earth mannerism. I feel very blessed that I was able to worship with the Christians in Long Beach for 13 years. I’ve enjoyed following your blog. I’m going to search for you on Facebook now. I’ll look for your comments on other bloggers that I now follow because of your blog. May God Bless you and your family.
[Wanda: You were always one of the smiling faces in the audience at Long Beach and a real encourager to me. Thanks for that ... and thanks for reading. I think we are now FB friends. See you there.]
Happy belated birthday – I guess I’ll return that Strat I purchased for you since you already have too many hanging on the wall.
I’ll add my voice to those who’ve said they will miss your musings, your wit and wisdom. Hopefully someone else will surface to keep riverside county officials accountable.
The genius of what we had was how connected we were with each other through this medium I think it was just too much of an exalted expectation on so many levels – to be creative and witty and insightful day after day after day.
But it was nice to be able to check in on a daily basis or every other day as was the case just to see how things were going for everyone.
It has been a good ride for you and you can be encouraged that you did bring so much to the blogging table for so many.
[Why don't you send me the Strat and I'll decide whether or not there is room on the wall for one more! And yes, it was a good ride. Thanks for the years of friendship. There are few people in my life who understand me (and appreciate what they see) more than you, Randy. I'm glad we connected at the Zoe conference ... your friendship is a blessing.]
I have to get to work early today at 3:30 in the afternoon to find this out! I understand the need to de-blog; however, I did enjoy when you en-blogged. Facebook does seem to be the community now, although who knows what it will be in the future. Change is the standard on the web. I have always hoped that you would reconsider putting your “blog” stories into a book, but know that presents a certain amount of hassels. Enjoy your writing and your humor! Now what’s for supper on April 30???
Peace.
[Now that you finally showed up, I can shut it down! When I get that book published, I'll have a very special price for you! I think back to the first time I met you, you rode in on your motorcycle, dressed in black leather, to be a part of some weekend thing our church was doing. I've never met a crazier guy than you and the times we've had have been some of the very best of my life. Looking forward to seeing you and E-Cec in a few weeks. We're taking in Phil's BBQ that night. Meal is on you, of course.]
I’m so sorry that you will no longer be blogging. Although I never commented, I read your blogs all the time and will miss them. Thanks for giving me the gift of you for as long as it lasted.
[I appreciate you reading ... and leaving a comment. Wish I had known you as my readers have been a huge blessing in my life. You are a secret blessing in my life.]
Brother, Rex and I had a very serious conversation at the breakfast table about calling you to wish you a happy birthday prior to our going afield after the elusive Eastern Turkey. Only our combined great affection for Janice (we really don’t know how she has put up all these years with your never playing a song thru to the end) kept us from calling you at oh about four thirty our time. Then we decided that maybe we should call Elaine first and have HER call you just in case you might not be your normal California sunshine self at what? One thirty AM Pacific time?. We also planned to sound an air horn over the telephone and tell you that there was another Sunami warning for your part of the desert. Rex decided that she (Cis) just might really need her beauty sleep or that we might wind up being co-defendants in a hospital emergency room law suite or some such frivolous thing. ANY WAY! Like the country song “I’m sure gonna miss her” I personally have several of your blogs posted around my shop at work. You are a most gifted author and I have been guilty of not answering you because you have always had that God given gift that so many ministers/preachers don’t have. That is, you say the right thing at the right time it needs to be said. God blessed you that way and you have seen fit to share that blessing with others. The fact that many are no longer answering does not in any way lessen the effect of your having thrown that pebble of wisdom into the pool of thoughtfulness. You may never know how much I love you and your family but love you I unashamedly do! Your brother, Alan
[Alan: Words cannot adequately express how much I appreciate NOT receiving the phone call, as much as I would have enjoyed talking with you. Saturday was a very busy day for us, after no sleep Friday night (three pick-ups, two of which were after 2am). Thanks for the comment ... I love you and Margie very much and wish we were all closer.]
Greg,
I’m just an old retired electric lineman here in Little Rock, AR. Hope you had a very happy bd celebration. I am one of those lurkers who reads but never makes comments. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog for the last 4 or 5 years, good laughs, good positive lessons in life, and good entertainment, I’m sorry you won’t be writing anymore, but certainly understand why. I think the same is happening to many who have been in it that long. Thank you, my brother, You have been a blessing to a lot of people in a lot of ways. May The Father’s Blessings reign upon you and yours!!! As a well known Hollywood person was known for saying, “Thanks for the Memories,”
Doyce Hall
[Well, I wish I'd known you were "out there." Thanks for reading and for the kind words here.]
It was through my friend, That Girl and her blog, that I became acquainted with so many other bloggers, including you. While I have not commented often, I have been a regular reader over the course of the past four years. It is your transparency and authenticity and vulnerability as well as your humor that have drawn me to return time and time again. As others have attested, your voice will be missed!!
A quote that came across my path years ago seems appropriate now – “Those who are in the Lord never say goodbye for the last time.” I look forward to a time to come when I will have the opportunity to meet you and your precious family! Until then I wish you all of God’s blessings in abundance as He promises!!
[Lori, your comment has blessed me today! I'm glad you found this blog through Terri's blog. She is a sweetheart and I enjoy her blog. I like the quote.]
Bro, I had completely forgotten about that motorcycle ride! Thanks for the memory. BBQ sounds good and I couldn’t be happier than to pay! Your friendship has blessed me over and over and I am cranked (or is that cracked) about coming out. Turn on the golf channel on Thursday afternoon and look for me at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I will be the one in the golf shorts and Alabama bikini top!
Peace.
[Now that bikini top would actually force me to look at the golf channel!]
You end the blog and now Steve decides to pay for dinner!
Hey, maybe you can make this “going out of blogging” post like the stores in the Big Apple that advertised that they’re going out of business and have been doing so for years!
Maybe Puck will pay for the baseball game tickets!
I’m going to miss you. Thank you for all the stories and questions and insights.
[Thanks, Pilgrim. I hope there were more stories and insights than questions.]
Kind of hard to find you on facebook without a picture. At least I didn’t recognize you in any of the pictures I saw. I do want to be a facebook friend.
[My picture is of me lying on a pool deck with my large dog beside me. If you still have a problem, I'll email you and I'll make sure we become FB friends.]
Count me in for dinner and game tickets! Let’s see if we can get this going out of business blog up to 1,000 comments. Greg, I have to do something to top my escapades last year when a PGA official took away my iPhone because he “thought” I was taking pictures when I was talking to my Mom. When I went to get it back, there must have been forty or fifty bagged phones that had been collected that day. The solution this year: Bikini Top Cam!
[Let's do it. Just 968 more comments and we're there! Can I get a "comments" pledge from you?]
email me. thanks.
ya going to have to get alot of one liners to get 968 comments
sooooooo here is my 2 cents worth !
make that 3 cents
Greg, thanks for your comment about my photos
take care
Greg, I’ve enjoyed very much reading from your blog over the past few years and will miss the chance to “hear” your voice. May you and Janice and your family be blessed in every way! Will still have contact with you through Facebook, so not saying good-bye. As always, Connie
[Thanks, Connie. I always appreciated your comments and was glad when you "showed up" here. Yes, I'll be around FB now and then. I wish I were more in touch with our high school classmates, but I have no idea where most of them are these days and getting back there for any reunion is simply out of the question.]
I’ll miss you, buddy. But I’m thinking of doing the same thing. I have thought about dropping patrickmead.net and turning Tentpegs into a book… eventually. It takes a lot of time to write these things, doesn’t it? And when readership falls off… well…
Love you. Toss us a bone on Facebook every now and then. See you in heaven. I’ll be the studly guy in a kilt holding a Taylor guitar.
[I would hope you didn't shut yours down, but would certainly understand. Your friendship has been a serendipity of blogging and I will stay in touch. As for heaven, I think there is verse in Revelation that says God will hand the redeemed a harp, and if modern scholarship hasn't definitely decided the "harp" will be a Taylor or high-end Gibson guitar, they should. And anyone who thinks otherwise would obviously be a heretic.]
You got my pledge, now let’s see where it goes. Did you see me on golf channel? Can you believe that I spent 9 hours at Arnold Palmer Invitational and didn’t get arrested?
[On the road all day with a burial over in Santa Monica. Did I really miss anything?]
Farewell! I haven’t commented very often but have enjoyed reading your blog. You will be missed.
[Thanks, Pat.]
See Facebook for the API pictures from yesterday.
A full week late with my comments, but still, I must say – I’ll miss you. Even though my blog reading has dropped off a lot, I still enjoyed reading your stories. All those so-called “latecomers” mentioned above were already here by the time I “arrived,” but still my short time here has been a blessing.
And look, when y’all are in heaven playing those guitars, can I just stop in a listen? Because if I tried to play one…well…it wouldn’t exactly be heaven anymore…
Blessings to you brother.
[Glad you were here the time you were. I continue to drop by your place to see what's new. By all means, stop by for the concert up there. I'll be sitting on the side listening as well.]
#42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Whoa! Not only are you reading, but NOW you start commenting again? Are you okay?]
It’s been quite a blessing. I’ll miss it. Thanks for all the time and thoughts.
[Ken, with all that you have on your plate these days, I'm surprised you had time to read a blog. Any blog. But thanks for reading mine.]
Greg, I have read your blog for a few years now and not commented much but have enjoyed your voice, wit, wisdom and humanity. Thanks for sharing.
[Thanks for reading, Wendy. I enjoyed writing here.]
Well bro, I’ve waited long enough to respond to this, I might be the caboose.
You were the one, along with Randy to invite me into this blog world. Cecil was a part of that as well. I really miss seeing you guys. I appreciate your encouragement for me to continue my story. I wrote again tonight.
God has blessed you with wisdom and insight and you have used that well my friend. We are all grateful. I will still see you on facebook and hope that you will continue to come by my blog and read. I always enjoy your comments.
God bless you my brother.
[Keith, I miss getting together out here and in Alabama with you. I'm still reading when you write. So keep writing.]
Greg, the date of this response will tell you how far behind I am in catching up with blogs I like.
You’ve done a great job with this blog. You have shared much about your journey, the transitions, your family and life. That alone, not only for your readers but certainly for your family, has made this blog worthwhile.
Thanks!
[Jim, I'm honored you considered this one of the blogs you like as you read a LOT of blogs. I continue to read yours and often think were I still preaching, just how much your insights would be helping me.]
Happy Ressurection DAY to your family! I hope your recieve many blessings!
I am a little late to the game here. Apologies. I very much enjoyed reading and learning from your blogs during a time when it helped facilitate change in my life. I too have left the the church of my youth and I consider that a good thing. Best of luck in your endeavors. Lance
[Thanks, Lance. I check over here about once a week to see if, perhaps, there is another comment. Being the shallow person I am, I hope it reaches 50 legitimate comments! Blessing to you, as well.]
What constitutes an illegitimate comment?
Miss you all!
Is this comment number 50? Do I win anything?