"It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times"

Probably the best opening line I have ever read from a book was “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” from the classic “A Tale Of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. This could not more adequately describe 2013 for us.

“It was the best of times….”

We are so proud that Peter graduated high school and has started college.

We enjoyed spending time with Will, Victoria, and Peter during our visit for Peter’s graduation. 

We got to attend (myself for the first time ever) a clinching game for a playoff series for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

We followed (literally) the Penguins road trip to Tampa, FL and Sunrise, FL and got to see four games in the span of two months with one of those games being right next to the runway for the Penguins where I met Dan Byslma, Jeff Zatkoff, and got to hand bump everyone after the game.  This was also the deepest south I have ever been in Florida.

We thanked God for my new job at Chase which is only 15 minutes from the house but also for a  great group of co-workers and a great manager.

We celebrated our second wedding anniversary.

Mom celebrated her first year with us.

“It was the worst of times….”

Early August we took mom to the hospital, Little did we know this would start a chain of events that ultimately would up with the Lord calling her home on August 31st.

We were all greatly saddened by this loss. There is a piece that is missing from all of our hearts that cannot be replaced.

God, as he always does, brings good out of a situation – sometimes with some looking – but it was there.
Will, Victoria, and Peter flew down on Augusts 31st. But they arrived 9 hours after mom passed.  I immediately went back to the decision that Val and I made to have them down before Christmas in 2012. They got to see, enjoy, and love on mom here at the house.

We all went out to Maggiano’s on September 1st to celebrate mom’s life. I told our waiter why we were here. He made our evening special by giving us all a complimentary glass of champagne.  I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a dinner more – great conversation and memories of my parents with my children. Val was very thankful to hear of all the great times that we shared with mom.

Val got to know mom for over a year. What a blessing to me that my beautiful wife got to know my mother. Val loved on mom and got her lunch for her on a daily basis, took her a couple times to get her hair done, took her to doctor’s appointments and enjoyed finding out more about me.

Val’s daughter Jessica got to know mom as well as she watched her while Val and I went up for Peter’s graduation. They both enjoyed each other and mom did “behave” for her. Early after mom moved here she asked me “is that Val’s sister?”. We all laughed !

The outpouring of everyone’s thoughts, prayers, cards, and well wishes during this time was a God send. We could not be more thankful for each and every one of them.
At about 11:00 AM on August 31st, we signed the contract and wrote a check for the start of construction for our new house.  About 90minutes latter mom was in heaven.  We experienced a wonderful high and an incredible low in a very short period of time.

Mom often talked about dad and she always smiled – that helped fill that huge void for her. As we celebrate this Christmas, the best piece of advice I could give my family would be to talk about both her and dad and the great memories and smile as well.  


Thankful beyond words for my beautiful wife – what a precious gift from God that keeps on giving. Your love, support, and encouragement on this earth are second to none.


My awesome children Will, Victoria, and Peter – I could not be more thankful for them. Each one of them is very special to us and we love you  all !

My great step daughter Jessica – you have a heart like you mother and by far that is what you excel at. Yes I did like your pink hair !

My awesome in laws Dave & Janice Masters – I could not have been blessed with better in laws. Thank you for your love for us !

To all my friends I will close with this scripture:

Numbers 6:24-26
New International Version (NIV)
24 “‘“The Lord bless you     and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you     and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you     and give you peace.”’

The Annoucement

“It’s been a long time coming. I could hardly contain myself. I’ve been bursting at the seams to share the news that I am a father! I could not be more proud of my healthy son. And I am going to make sure to announce this. I am not going to post this because I know it would fall on deaf ears and blind eyes. I’ve considered the options. First I chose some reliable messengers to share this news. Second, I made it clear where he was – this was part of what the messengers shared. Third, being my child and my family were in need of money to take care of expenses, I sent out some additional messengers. The messengers had contacted three very prominent and wealthy men who came from a very far distance and gave us gifts to help take care of the expenses.  If have been contacted by one of the messengers, please don’t hesitate to visit us. I know that my son will do great things.”

Luke 2: 1-21 NIV

“2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.”