Mike & Maria's wedding

My youngest son Mike got married July 12th 2008.

It was a very special day for me. It was the first time one of my kids got married, so that in it self is special. But to sit there so close watching two people committing themselves to each other for life, is very special. Remembering that day some 29 years ago - I was only 20 years old. It rained that day too, but we were inside ;-) There are many things I would do different over the many years of marriage. The biggest difference would be how I used my time. Much too much time was at work while my kids were small. Why do so many men do that?

So Mike my advise to you: Put first your wife and to come your children before your work. Then in 29 years you will not regret you did not use more time with them!

Mike thank you for letting me be next to you as you made one of your biggest commitment in your life.

March 22, 2008 my Father die.

My dad was a quite man, so when he said something we always listened. He had a great sense of humor, always ready with a good clean joke. And he loved his family.

I am number 8 of 9 kids even know with all these kids he took time to go to our football games or what ever we did and with 7 boys there was a lot of games to go to.

If I really think about it there were times that I was mad at him, but luckily I best remember the good times with him. He was a great father and I will miss him greatly.

Jerome Thomas Stewart, my Dad. 

I heard Dean Sherman say this in his teaching on "Love, Sex and Relationships" there is a book too - a must read if you ask me.
Like he said, every problem relates to something wrong in a relationship somewhere. That I think too much of myself first or too highly about myself, I deserve this or that. Not loving my neighbour as I love myself, but putting myself first!
So,
Problems in my marriage, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.
Problems with my kids, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.
Problems at my work, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.
Problems in my church, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.
Problems in my city, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.
Problems in my country, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.
Problems in my world, then someone(s) is thinking more highly of themselves than they ought to.

Is this too easy? well yes! That's what's so frustrating about it. If I just start loving others as myself. treating people the way I would like them to treat me - what a difference. Think if everyone did that - wow!
But that is not the way life is - why not?