Why We Do What We Do

Luci and Lijah taking a park break before the Ponce wedding, Kankakee, IL.

He just loves her so much.
And she tolerates his love so well.

Zone D

I have a feeling that Elijah will be able to pick apart zone defenses. It's all about patience, ball movement, seeing the entire floor finding the weakness in the scheme and exploiting it all day. He practices on me everytime I have the kids by myself. And he does it with a smile.

Thirty-four

I think it's funny how people grimace at the thought/reality of growing older. I don't think I'll ever try to hide my age. I don't wish to be any other age. Granted, I do miss playing kick the can all night or hanging out at Silverman's until 3AM, but then again, I really don't. I firmly believe that if you're at a place in your life where you are not "at peace," then it is your duty, your right, to change that. For, we are all called to freedom (Gal 5:13) Although not always possible, by our own power alone, there have always seemed to be "uneasiness" to deal with along the way to peace. I have found that freedom comes at the cost of severing ties with those things that appear to grant freedom, when in fact, they are nothing more than shackles. I read a quote on a wall today: "how old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?" I turned 34 today ... and the thought that kept popping into my mind was, "how far have I come in 17 years?" I have worked with high schoolers just about every day for the past 7 years ... many of whom are 17 years old. Most of what I try to communicate to them are things that I wished I had truly "heard" when I was their age: Pornography and fornication will wreck you. Bad spending habits are really bad. You're worth more than people give you credit for. Getting drunk will just make you even dumber. Abortion is murder. Jesus is God. You should know your Bible. You should know what the Church teaches. Don't try to be God. Don't try to make up your own religion. Absolute truth exists. Satan is a freaking liar. It's simply not all about you. The opposite of love is not hate; it's using people. I pray that I may be open to those things that I need to "hear" right now so that, God willing, in another 17 years I will not have the same faith as that of the 34-year old GaryG.