Love Notes
My beloved Kathilynn,
It’s been twenty years now since God had mercy on me and showed me how much I was loved, forever changing the path I would walk the rest of my days. I still remember the moment my eyes rested upon you. That first smile that still makes my heart race. The amazing smile that makes the butterflies stir.
I still have a crush on you.
Thank you for being the love of my life.
Twenty years has taught me something about us: I have always known you. I have always loved you. My heart was reaching out, calling out to you until your heart heard the cry and echoed back. It’s so easy to love you, Kathilynn. To adore you. It’s as natural as the beat of my heart.
You are an inspiration and example of what’s best in life and humanity, and when I look at our amazing children my heart cries to the heavens in gratitude for the incredible companion I have, because my love, the best in them is the best from you.
Your laugh brightens my soul, your smile brightens my world and when you look at me, I know I am loved. I can feel it and it always amazes me how you can do that without saying a word. What we have is rare, admired and envied by many because it is based on a foundation stronger than either of us.
I look forward to the next twenty years together, growing old together and to build our dreams together. I know we can do it, because you are my personal confirmation that dreams do come true.
You are my love, my inspiration and my best friend.
Thank you for simply being you.
I love you always and forever,
Your Jester.
Read MoreDon’t Say a Thing…
One of my dear friends passed away a couple days ago. Memories start flooding back and I get the same apprehension about funerals.
I hate them and I really don’t want to go.
Even avoided my best friends funeral when I was 16. First one I attended was a dear friend who lost his 8 year old boy. Couldn’t stand the thought of loosing my own son and something snapped…and I was unable to let him go through the experience without support.
…but when mom died, I learned something.
Don’t say a word.
Go to the funeral, but don’t say a damn word. Nothing you say will make it better and you cannot, DARE NOT compare your feelings or understanding with the sufferings of others! DON’T DO IT!!
If you want to have the strongest effect of support, walk up to the grieving parties, show your tears openly, shake a hand, squeeze a shoulder and if you have to: nod.
Just keep your mouth shut and I can almost guarantee you’ll be the one who leaves the greatest impact for good in the life of another.
The talking will come later…just cry with them in silence for now.
Please trust me on this one.
Read MoreSurvive Subtlety with Simplicity
All of us have ‘low’ moments in our lives. The times when you may feel that all is lost, or perhaps you have failed someone you love or care for deeply. It can be a damning experience if we aren’t careful, because it seems to be human nature to brand ourselves through a clouded filter of life and self-reflection.
Let me use myself as the guinea pig here. I’m married to a wonderful woman and have 11 amazing children, 3 incredible grandchildren and a job most people can only dream of. Yet with all that comes a world of responsibility, a world you have to flow with, be aware of and maintain a level of honor, integrity and in all cases accountability.
Well guess what? I screw up a lot. In so many aspects of life, I find myself unable to stay focused on more than the most narrow of subjects. My memory is constantly taxed in each and every endeavor to the point that I rely on others to remember birthdays, holidays, doctors appointments, meetings and all other social engagements. Heck, I even forgot how old I was….twice, and had to ask my wife for confirmation.
This is a mild version of what my point is, and that is: sometimes we let others down.
No matter how hard we try, there’s not a perfect soul among us and sooner or later we will fall short. That’s when we feel the guilt, the shame and frustration, especially when we are giving our lives everything we have. Personally, I try and reinvent myself every day, to do better today than I did yesterday…but try as I might, sometimes the universe makes me out to be a liar.
That’s when simplicity comes into play. Keeping communications clear and concise. Hold a soft heart and an open mind while standing your ground against life. The trick is to clean that perception filter before you find yourself convinced that all is lost, you’re unfit or unworthy to be loved, appreciated or even tolerated. I’ve been there dozens of times and it’s all a lie.
The subtle effects of your environment can cloud your judgment. The key is to fill your heart with love, gratitude and appreciation for others, including yourself. Believe it or not, you’re worth the effort and it can’t rain forever. Hold your ground and wait for a new day while being ready to say ‘I’m sorry’ to those around you.
Read MoreWhat Crazy Clips Have You Caught?
I love talking with my little children, especially Simon. In fact, most people we know love talking with our 3 year old, because it’s always a treat, it’s always off the wall and unexpected and it’s always funny.
Truth be known, I have wanted to start making movies of Simon for work, mainly because he’s so fun to watch and every day he begs to go to work with me. Maybe I can film him and eventually get paid for making people laugh…
The question is: what great child event/situation/humorous saying have you captured on film for yourself?
If you haven’t taken the opportunity, consider it!
Read MoreMothers Day
What did you do for your mother on Mothers Day?
I know I should try and say something profound, maybe something pithy, but I’m at a loss.
My mom died in 2006 in a car accident. My mother in law gets bombarded with cards made from my children. Kathi doesn’t give a fat jockey about the holiday (she can’t stand most holidays except birthdays)…so I’m not sure there’s much for me to say.
I miss my mom.
You never know when loved ones will be gone for good. Don’t waste a moment if you have the opportunity. Make sure you tell them you love them, especially and most specifically your mother. She gave you life, she cared for you and most likely cleaned up things that would make the Roto-Rooter man puke.
Don’t assume they know you love them. Tell them.
Don’t end up like me, plagued with sorrow because the last time you spoke to your mom, you had a heated disagreement instead of a hug and kind word.
Trust me on this one.
-Jaime Buckley
Read MoreMy Latest Book
