When it cones to surprises My father is just as much a Chatty Cathy as my daughter. The difference is my daughter is almost six. My father is pushing eighty.

For Christmas this year he went above and beyond just adding to the check my mother puts in the customary cards she puts in the mail to me. He potentially got me something BIG, not in size but value. And it's value to me could prove to be priceless.

I yelled for him to stop talking and begged him not to send it --- whatever it is. In my head I heard myself saying I don't deserve anything except for that which I earn on my own. My parents have been there for us during the rough patches of our transition out of NYC to ATL so how could I accept anything from them? I simply don't deserve it.

Or do I?

May your love not go unnoticed...

may you receive the love you deserve...

Happy Valentine's Day.

It's easy to get caught up in the Holiday Blues...all that's wrong with everything so there's little to no reason to celebrate. Besides who's got the money? But this time of year should be about service. Service other with our time, our talents, our donated items and food, and if possible, money.

The holidays are also about this...


This isn't my child. I just happened to have my camera handy.

Whether yours are little or almost grown, remember the time and if you can't find anything good for yourself then focus on their joy. A little bit will go a long way when it comes to the kiddies. My wife and I have opted not to give each other gifts for the sake of the kids. But I've gone a bit overboard with the decorations and the lighting. Why? Because happiness isn't in what you get, it's in what you give. And seeing my daughter's face light up each time she looks at our tree (and my son thinking I've lost it) is priceless and will live on in their minds after they've forgotten or destroyed the toys they get next Saturday.

Have You Subscribed Yet? * Are You On Facebook? * Do You Tweet?