TGIRainyF! “Even though I am different, I am the same.” Shiloh

Shiloh was a girl who was born with mermaid syndrome: her legs were fused together as one. She struggled with gaining acceptance and being “normal” in the eyes of those who could only see her disability, not her ability. Her comment is one I carry in my phone to remind me that a disabled person is still a person. With Tara I strive to get people to see Tara, not the wheelchair. Tomorrow Tara’s cousins, ‪#‎Amandacasey‬ and ‪#‎KellyCasey‬, are hosting a family day at Lowland Park in Stony Point with their not for profit organization ‪#‎Projectpossible‬. It promises to be a fun day of great camaraderie and non contact sports. But the best part of the day will be the unveiling of a wheelchair accessible swing that is being donated by Project Possible. I can’t express the joy I find in my nieces contribution. Her cousins see Tara as the same. They see what others can’t see in many of our children. And tomorrow they will see joy on the face of a young lady who may be different, but she is the same. I have great faith in our country’s future because I get to see the good our youth have in them. Come out tomorrow for all children who are different, but the same. Come out tomorrow to show your support for our youth who are making a difference. Come out tomorrow to see that what makes us the same is far more important than our differences.

May God watch over you and yours and bless us all with His mercy. Have a great week.

TGIMemorialDayF! This week’s quote: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” General George S. Patton

As we begin our Memorial Day weekend let us not remember those whose sacrifice enable us to enjoy all we have. I grew up in the 70s and the military was looked down at, a life for those who had no other choice. I can’t attest to any sacrifice I have made for my country. As I’ve matured I have come to appreciate and honor those who served so that I may enjoy all the fruits of our country. So this weekend, and actually every day, I will try to honor those who made a difference. Those that left their families and friends. Those that went to foreign lands to keep peace in our own country. And especially those who never made it home. May God look upon our fallen soldiers and grant them eternal peace. May we always remember their sacrifice. If you know a Vet thank them for their service. If you watch a parade and see a Vet salute them. All gave some and some gave all. Never forget that it is the Veteran who gave us freedom.

Have a great week. May God continue to bless each of us.

At Lynch’s we honor our Veteran’s in May with a free meal. If you know of a Vet who can’t make it to the restaurant let us know and we can make arrangements to get a meal delivered. Its our small way of honoring those who served so that we may serve.

TGIlateF! This weeks quote: “When you are grateful-when you see what you have-you unlock blessings to flow in your life.” Suze Orman

Dad is home and grateful is only the first word I can think of to express how lucky we are. One month and two days after a stroke, our 88 year old father came home with very little side effects and his sense of humor still intact! While he may not be able to run the 100 in 30 minutes, he can at least get around in his apartment and let his life resume. Thank you to all the staff at Helen Hayes Hospital who helped Dad. Your kindness, your professionalism, your warmth made Dad’s stay as best as could be expected. Your talents got him on his feet and your kindness lifted his spirit. We are so lucky to have HHH in our community; world class care in our own backyard. Thank you to all the people who also went out of their way to stop and say hi to dad, or to acknowledge his trials and tribulations to me or my family. Your kindness was the inspiration to keep us going and keep focused on what was important. And thank you to my coworkers at Lynch’s who allowed me to be with dad and ensure he had a great meal every night he was in the hospital. Don Shula said you win with great people. I am fortunate to work with great people. And thank you all my FB friends who allow me to rant and rave about whatever and still continue to support me and my family. Your support completes me. And lasty if I haven’t said it lately, thank you to the NR community for all you do to help those in need. I know I am lucky to live in a community that cares about each other.

May God bless you and and yours and hold you in the palm of His hand. Have a great week.

TGIF! This weeks quote: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at broken places.” Ernest Hemingway

Crazy week. Too many friends sick or dying. It seems I saw more people in Helen Hayes Hospital than I saw at the restaurant. One aspect of life that we tend to forget when we are experiencing our own difficulties is that everyone is going through something. And the ones who you think are getting away with nothing may just be better at hiding it than I am. Dad is feeling better and we are planning his departure from HHH and the start of his recovery at home next Friday. There will be some changes, but considering he had a stroke and is 88 years old, not too many. The biggest will be giving up driving. Driving in America is almost as sacred as guns. But the risk of hurting someone clearly outweighs his desire to drive. Hopefully it wil be temporary. I want to thank all the well wishers and hope that I am there for you the way you have been there for me and my family. In the next few weeks the restaurant will be doing a few fundraisers to help those in need. Please know that I stand ready to help in any way I can. The world broke me this week, but I am stronger for it. Let me help make others strong.

My God bless you and yours. Have a great week.

Don’t forget. In May we remember all veterans who served us so that we may serve you. In their honor we offer a free meal to all veterans. Just tell your server your name and Branch of Service and the meal is on us. Thank you for your service.

TGIRainingcatsanddogsF! This weeks quote. “Soon I’ll be sixty
years old, my momma got sixty-one; Remember life and then your life becomes a better one.” Christopher Brown sung by Lukas Graham with a slight change.

I missed last weeks quote. Sorry. My dad is ill. Like most of us I am living in the sandwich generation; taking care of children and a parent. No complaints just stating the facts. I am thankful to God for all that He has given me. While Dad is recuperating we have added an extra task to our already busy lives. But what has been bothering me lately is while we are discussing my Dad’s health and his aftercare, I am consumed by my own health and well being. And of course hearing the “soon I’ll be 60 years old” song every time I turn on the radio hasn’t helped. It’s made me think of all my father and mother did for me that I never really got the chance to say thank you for. It made me think that soon my triplets will be off on their own, like my older girls, and I’m feeling sad wondering if my children will come to visit once or twice a month, like the song says. I think of all the times I could’ve visited my Dad and instead choose not to or could have done something with the children but let that opportunity slip away. Its funny how life sneaks up on you. When I see Dad in his hospital bed I see something I’ve never seen before. Dad is scared. Not of dying. He is ready to go and be with the love of his life, my mother Alice. He is scared of living a different life. Dad has been proud of his independence and ability to take care of himself. I know he’s worried now about what his future life will be like. I try to comfort him by saying it will be all right all the time questioning myself and how would I handle the situation. All I can do now is try to remind myself to enjoy the time we have left. That life offers no warranty and there is a no return policy. I’m going to remember life and hope life becomes a better one.

May God bless you and yours. I hope you have a great week. Happy Mother’s Day to all who gave us life. May your day be as special as you are.

Reminder: All Veterans are entitled to free meal in the month of May. Please come in and enjoy a meal as our small way of saying thanks for your service.