Grandma's 100th Birthday

Grandma's 100th Birthday

Have you ever regretted doing something, or better yet...not doing something? The one thing that I will admit to screwing up in my life is missing my Grandma's 100th birthday party.

Don't get me wrong now, that is definitely not the only thing I have done wrong in my 57 years here on earth. I have made plenty of mistakes, but in retrospect the only thing that really bothers me is that one party that I missed!

I can come up with several good excuses for not going to the party. You see...the party was in Connecticut, and I live in North Carolina. It's not that I didn't want to make a twelve hour drive up there, stay for one day, turn around and drive another twelve hours back again. That wasn't the issue at all. It wasn't the fact that if I was to make this drive, I would have to put new tires on the car and get a tune-up, that was no big deal. It didn't matter that I had just started a new job and did not have any vacation time available yet. I could just call in sick, no problem there.I thought about flying up to Connecticut, but that idea was quickly ruled out. Way too expensive. That would never fit into our budget. Even if I went by myself and left my wife at home it still was too much money. Talking about money, what about a birthday present? What in the world do you buy for someone who has been around for 100 years? There just couldn't possibly be anything that she needed.

The more I think about it the more I realize that I cheated Grandma out of the one thing that she needed most...LOVE. That's all that she really wanted, to be loved by her family. She had outlived her husband, all of her brothers and sisters and most of her children. Grandma came from the 'old country', born and raised in Calabria, Italy. Family was very important to her. I remember growing up and going to Grandma's house every weekend. There would be dozens of children there, all of them cousins. We would have a great time playing and there was always plenty of good food to eat.

Today, I couldn't even tell you how many cousins I have. Everyone has moved somewhere else and lost track of each other. We all become so involved with our own little worlds and hustle and bustle of everyday life that we forget about our not so immediate family. I don't have any other grandparents that are living, so I don't have to worry about screwing up like that again. I have learned a very valuable lesson from this.

Every day we are here on this earth is a very special day. We only get to go around once, if we pass up the chance to say I love you, or thanks so much...that chance is gone forever. Don't blow it like I did with Grandma. I never really did get to know her as a person. I remember her from my childhood, but there are decades missing, where I had no contact at all with her. I'm sure there were many wonderful stories that Grandma would have shared with me, if only I had taken the time to listen.The opportunity has come and gone...I will never have another chance to sing happy birthday to my Grandma on her very special 100th birthday celebration. I missed the chance to tell her that I loved her and really enjoyed all those good times we had at her house growing up.

I take comfort in knowing that she is once again with her family in Heaven, and one day I too will be there with her. When that day arrives, I will be so happy to see her again that I will run up to her and give her a big hug and a kiss. The first thing I will say is "Grandma, I love you...I am so sorry for missing your special birthday party that day... please forgive me."This has been bothering me for several years now, and I'm glad that I am finally able to share this with others.

It is with a heavy heart and teary eyes that I am writing these words, and I hope and pray that you don't ever have to make an apology like that to anyone.

FREE E-Book, "The AdSense Mint"

FREE E-Book, "The AdSense Mint"

If you are serious about making money with your blog or your website, you need to download this FREE E-Book. "The AdSense Mint" will show you how to monitize your site and start to earn some money from your blog or website.

Just take a moment and register for one of my several newsletters and the e-book is yours absolutely FREE, no strings attached. To register, simply click on the link in the upper left corner of this blog, "Join Our Mailing List". Here are the newsletters I have to select from.

• Women's Empowerment
• Web Design
• Computer Repair & Maintenance
• Church Websites
• Blogging News
• Bed & Breakfast News

Each newsletter is full of informative articles, resources and special offers from Marinaro Enterprises. You can unsubscribe at anytime. We have over 2,300 subscribers and the list is growing weekly. Check us out...there are also affordable advertising opportunities in our newsletters.

Steve Irwin Killed by Stingray

Steve Irwin Killed by Stingray

One of my favorite TV personalities died today. Steve Irwin, "The Crocodile Hunter", died doing what he loved most! He was filming a documentary and swimming with stingrays when one of them lashed out and struck Steve.

It was a freak accident, and not the venom that killed Irwin, but rather the sting itself. It was liked being stabbed with a knife, as the stingray's sharp barb struck Steve and penetrated his chest and pierced his heart! It is likely that he died instantly.

Steve's wife Terri was told of her husband's death while on a walking tour in Tasmania. Irwin also leaves behind two children, Bindi and Bob and a world full of fans. Steve Irwin was only 44!

I always loved watching his crazy antics as he risked his life to teach the world about animals. I'm sure Irwin would not want to have people blaming the stingray for his death. He would probably say, that it was frightened and lashed out in self-defense! Stingrays do not normally attack.

Irwin's catch phrase was "Crikey!" He was an enthusiastic daredevil who loved being around all types of animals. In 2004 Steve made headlines when he held his newborn son Bob in one hand as he fed a chicken to a crocodile at the Australian Zoo.

He put his money where his mouth was. Irwin bought up huge tracks of land and helped with the survival of many animals. He also starred in movies and helped develop the Australia Zoo wildlife park, north of Brisbane, which was started by his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin. Steve, you will be missed.

Something for Nothing

Something for Nothing

You've probably heard the expression, "There is no such thing as a FREE LUNCH". Well, I can't buy you lunch; however, I can offer you some FREE E-Books.

Just Click Here and go to my website. You will see some e-books for sale but there are also two FREE E-Books on the page, no strings attached.

One FREE E-Book is full of great tips on how you can make the most out of AdSense and profit every time somebody clicks on one of your ads. Another is about how to get rid of stress in your life.

Check it out; who said you can't get something for nothing?