For The Lasting Love Of A Woman Who Happens To Be Your Bride

It was about this time last year that CD and I shared with you a potential opportunity to spread your wings in Big Sky country and fly. You willingly took it and ran with it, discovering a niche you were passionate about, excelling, far and above everyone's expectations. You even met an amazing girl along the way. Kudos.

And just like that you were gone from my life. Days turned to weeks, then weeks turned to months. The silence between us, to be honest, has been deafening. Then late Friday night the phone rang with monumental news of you. Seems there was a picture on Facebook of a glowing, beautiful bride standing next to a very handsome young man. Not surprisingly, it was you. Kudos.

I don't know where you are right now. Heck, I don't even know her name. What I do know is you've captured her heart and by the glow on your face, she's surely captured yours. Kudos.
As my wedding gift to you, I'd like to share a few select words of wisdom I've acquired through a litany of broken hearts, broken dreams and broken lives. Heartfelt words of advice, not from a wise old sage, but from your dad who has loved and lost far too many times. Sadly, your mother, my ex, will surely attest to that.
--- With all the strength that you can muster daily, develop a friendship with your beautiful bride worthy of a lifetime. Start with common interests, then her's and lastly, yours. Early morning two-mile walks, before life's reality slaps you squarely in the face, are an awesome way to start each day. Besides, they cost you nothing, yet they reap substantial rewards in longevity. Sharing a sun rise on a cool morning during a brisk walk, not only keeps you healthy, it welcomes each day afresh and anew, together.

Learn to cook her favorite meals so that you can occasionally surprise her after a long day at work. And by all means, learn to clean up your marvelous mess (I know you) before she sits down to dinner with you. Trust me, it's hard to digest a meal knowing the chaos that awaits in the kitchen afterwards.

If you can't find the time to clean on your own (she would be speechless if you could), master the art of housework, together. Pick a day, any day and divide the tasks equally. It will get done in half the time and you'll both be cognizant of the mess of your making. Of course, you could clean as you go, but who has time when you're madly in love? Wink.

Text her occasionally throughout the day with silly emojis, or possibly one or two distinct words of your making, that convey the random stirrings of your captured heart. She'll appreciate your thinking of her and reciprocate accordingly. "Let the games begin!"

Next, I'd encourage you to never let an entire day pass without telling her you love her in some form or fashion. Words are great, but actions are better. You're building an investment of a lifetime here, son. Love notes under pillows or in her car go a long way in saying she's forever in your heart and on your mind.

Flowers once a month, better still once a week, if you can afford it, sent to her place of work, tells her, along with a host of others, how special she is and how lucky you are. A small mixed bouquet with a personalized note will set you back 30 bucks, give or take. Don't sweat it. It's an investment well worth it in the long run.

Master the art of listening, really listening. If she ever says "she's fine," trust me, she's not. Somewhere over the course of an hour, maybe two, the walls will begin to crumble and she will open up to you if you'll just listen quietly, attentively and patiently.

Be proactive and service her car monthly. Don't wait till the service light comes on. Check her tires, as well as her oil. Oh, and while you're at it, service yours. Wash her car at least bi-weekly. That includes vacuuming, too. Treat her like the princess I know she is and I'll bet she will treat you like the prince I know you are. Trust me, it's fun being the prince. Oh la la.

At least once a week from now until the end of time, religiously create date night. Dress up by all means and spend the evening sharing your hopes, your dreams, your desires, your life, your love, phone-less. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be one on one, aka memorable.

Now that date night is on the books, once a quarter, though once a month is better if you can, go away together. Share the highs and lows you've experienced of late and create a game plan for refreshing and renewing your mesmerizing relationship. Iron out any issues that may have come up, then bond, by making out in candlelight with wanton abandon.

Always communicate openly; her wants, her needs being met by you are paramount to insure your wants, your needs are met, too. Although, marriage is ideally a two-way street, sometimes she will go one way. Sometimes, so will you. Best you learn patience in those moments, because you'll need it to get you through those tumultuous times. Remember, marriage is a journey, most certainly, it's a breathtaking, captivating ride. Embrace it, breathe it, cherish it, together.

Give her space. You need yours too. Being apart occasionally, makes being together much more meaningful when you reconnect. The old saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder rings absolutely true when you're in love.

Memorize this next one, it's invaluable. Never go to bed angry and I mean, never. Even if takes all night, work through it. There is valor in saying, "I'm sorry and mean it." No matter what the world may say, chivalry is not dead. Forgiveness and understanding ultimately begins or ends with you.

Forever, and always, open doors for her. It is a sign of your utmost respect for her and conveys silently the grace and charm of the southern gentlemen I know you are, that you were raised to be.
Relationships ebb and flow so make time to play together, laugh together, have fun together. Be silly, play games, play to win, but occasionally play to lose. (Trust me on the last one) Remember, she's your best friend. That's what friends do.

Uh hmm. Always keep the bathroom door closed. You know what I mean, nuff said. There are some things, even in marriage, best left to the imagination.
By all means, do your best to live debt-free. This will require the both of you to be on the same page.

Always, and I mean always pay cash for your wants. You'll find in life more times than not, the best memories you create are free. In that, you'll both find perpetual contentment. The stress of unnecessary debt is trouble you don't need when you're building a solid foundation, together.

Most certainly, get along with her parents, as well as the rest of her family. You may not always agree with them, but you can honor and respect them for who they are, her mom and dad and siblings. They've entrusted you to care for her, to love and cherish her. You have the genes to do that. I'm confident you'll do your part.

Lastly, remember the eternal source of your strength. May He who made you, guide you by day and protect you by night. Grounded firmly in this truth will carry you far beyond anything you can hope or imagine; and lay the necessary foundation to someday, if you so choose, raise up a happy family.
--- If you'd like to add additional words of wisdom that has made your marriage or relationship strong, I'd like to hear from you. Please leave your comments here or e-mail me.

Why Do Good Men Break Bad?

I sat in on a writer's group last night in Brentwood, Tennessee and was delighted to make the acquaintance of one wiry 83-year-old, retired educator who had a treasure of stories to share. One in particular caught my eye, so much so, that after receiving his permission, I'd like to share it with you.

In the late fifties, Paul was teaching at a high school in Madison, Tennessee and since every school has at least one bully, Madison was no exception. As a matter of fact, this bully, whom we'll call Billy was renown across campus as an individual who always had money, especially since it was extorted daily from others too scared to say no, fearful of a knuckle sandwich or worse.

One of Paul's duties as a teacher, was to patrol the hallways during lunch period. On one particular day, he witnessed Billy threatening a much smaller boy, whom we'll call Jim outside the lunchroom. Recognizing Jim from his homeroom class, Paul knew he was quiet, didn't interact much with others and was basically invisible. Except today he wasn't, drawing the ire of Billy and from the looks of things, his wrath.

Billy raised his fist and charged Jim, full tilt. Suddenly, Paul saw the flash of a steel blade appear in the hand of Jim, and time, as he knew it, stood still. One of the principles of disciplining students in a fight is to go to the first student you know best. Being young and inexperienced in such matters, Paul immediately rushed toward Jim with his hand extended. "Give me the switchblade, Jim," demanded Paul, "no one will be hurt today on my watch." Jim eyed Paul for a few moments, allowing his anger to subside, before finally surrendering the knife. Paul closed the switchblade, dropped it in his pocket and led Jim by the arm to the principal's office, leaving Billy standing alone, speechless.

The principal was away for the day, so Paul used his office anyway. The penalty for threatening another student or teacher with a weapon was automatic expulsion, not only from the school, but the entire school system. Paul was in a quandary. Jim, as far as Paul knew, was an excellent student. His record in deportment was spotless. His dad was a local minister, his mom, an elementary school principal.

When Paul began to address the seriousness of the situation, Jim broke down, releasing weeks of pent up frustration and cried tears of extreme remorse. Paul talked about his options. Then Jim talked and Paul listened. Seems Billy had been threatening Jim for several weeks and had him at the breaking point. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep, he couldn't study. Today, Jim decided, in order for him to survive another day, he had to stand up to Billy and fight.

After what seemed like the longest thirty minutes of Paul's life, he reached into his pocket, flipped open the knife, broke the blade off between the top drawer and the desk and tossed it in the trash. Then Paul told Jim to return to class. He even provided him a late slip.

The next day, Billy approached Paul in the hall. He asked, "Why is Jim still in school? He pulled a knife on me and should have been expelled." Paul looked Billy straight in the eyes and said, "What knife?"

A decade or so later, with Paul still teaching at Madison, in the middle of a History exam, he happened to look out his classroom window to see a soldier in full dress uniform, exiting a cab at the front entrance of the school. Thinking more nothing of it, Paul returned to his desk, only to be interrupted by a determined knock on his classroom door.

Opening the door, before Paul stood a highly decorated Green Beret. It was Jim. He grasped Paul's hand and spoke softly. "I am going back to Vietnam tomorrow, sir. I could not leave again before thanking you for what you did for me by making it possible to finish high school. I hope I have and will continue to make you proud." Then Jim stood at attention, saluted Paul and walked away. Paul never saw on heard from the Green Beret again.

It's possible Jim never made home. What I do know is, Paul offered a good man a second chance and he took it. Which leads me to the question, why do good men break bad? And if they break bad, should we do all we can to assist in the healing? Sure we have rules, sure we have standards. It's just sometimes we have to take a chance and forgive and forget.

In an age of zero tolerance and immediate rush to judgment, we find ourselves outcasts, permanently broken, more times than not, longing for some semblance of redemption. Do we deserve it, who can say? But, using Paul's story as an example, if we talk less and listen more, we might be able to understand with clarity, why we happened to break bad. Good men fail. Good women fail. Good children fail. Failure is no respecter of person's. And sadly, if we haven't failed at some point in our lives, that means we haven't lived life to its fullest.

Everyone and I mean everyone, including fathers, mothers, children and friends, deserves a second chance. Some even three or more. Because, unless we've walked in the shoes of those who failed, we'll never understand what brought about their tipping point. Billy found Jim's through constant intimidation and threats. I found mine through endless years of rejection. What's yours?

Our latest novel in the Ride Series, Ride To Retribution, is scheduled for release this fall. Join me in my quest to purchase 100,000 meals through Second Harvest. $1.00 of every e-book sale is donated to provide three meals for those needing a little extra help. To date, we've passed the 55K mark, all thanks to you, our readers.

Dear America, May I Honor the Hero's in Your Midst When Your World Came Crashing Down?

We all have and or had hero's who came to our rescue, just in the nick of time. Did these people have a hidden agenda, such as self glorification, my narcissistic lawyer recently asked or could it just be they believed it is more blessed to give than to receive? Many people relish in the opportunity to help, if and when there is a need. They give freely, expecting nothing in return, except, possibly the hope that their kindness will be payed forward to others down the road.

By sharing your hero stories with me, I hope to find the common thread across America that brings out the best in us; especially when our world crashed and we had no place left to turn. Random acts of generosity and kindness throughout the heartland, that heralds "help is on the way" to our country that needs illustrations of hope and all the Good News it can get. Over the course of the next few months, with your help, I'd like to write about the unsung hero's that have moved in and out of your life's journey at some point. Unselfish men and women who have run to your chaos, rather than away from it.

Here is your chance America to share a story of gratitude to that hero in your circle, who by their unselfish efforts, support and encouragement, made a profound difference in your life and circumstance. Many times, words cannot express the gratitude that has been unselfishly bestowed on us by others. America, herein lies an opportunity to share with me those who made your lives, as well as, this country's, richer.

I am proud to live in a land where hero's abound. However, most of our personal hero's are known only to us and maybe to a few more in our immediate circle. Would you help me change that? We need to hear good news, awesome news, life changing news, much more than we do now.

Everywhere I turn, the mainstream media dwells on the bad, the salacious and the stuff that breaks us down, rather than lifts us up. I got it. It's what, we the audience, more times than not, feeds on. However, we sorely need heartfelt, personalized inspirational stories to propel us as individuals to do more, give more and help others circumvent the chaos that is so prevalent throughout our society today.

I, too, have had my share of adversity lately. I've watched twenty-five plus years of sinew and blood, invested in relationships, businesses and real estate, dissipate into nothingness. I've found myself homeless and hungry, humbled and helpless for the very first time in my life. Battered and broken, twisted and brought low, that's me in a nutshell. But, not hopeless.

Fortunately, I too, have had hero's in my midst. One particular individual, whom we'll call W.G, rallied to my chaos. He, along with a multitude of people in his circle, rendered aid in many ways; all the while, expecting nothing, nor taking anything in return. His unselfish assistance, at a time when the storm clouds swallowed me whole, can never be equally compensated or repaid. But through my writings, we can reward him, by honoring him. We can say "Thank You W.G" We honor you, by making your presence known to the world around us, and by paying it forward just as you have, unselfishly.

Look around America, many of us, through no fault of our own, are on the verge of or in chaos. However, with this crisis comes the opportunity for those hero's in our midst to shine. These are selfless individuals who rally to our unspoken cries for help when we find ourselves overcome by the throes of great adversity.

Share this hero request with everyone please. Link this blog to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and everywhere your friends abound. Hero's are all around us. Whether we have little or much, we all have or will have an opportunity to unselfishly give back in spectacular fashion. Be it feeding the homeless, paying for a friend's much needed car repair or making a utility payment for a stranger, we can be a hero in someone's life today.

Please email me, dhlakelover@yahoo.com, and nominate your hero, first names only please, describing in one page the impact they have had in your life. If possible, tell me what you believe makes up the core of their generosity and unselfishness. I'll do my best to share many of your stories here and on the Huffington Post to honor them on your behalf and to inspire others to do the same.

http://ridetorestoration.blogspot.com/ 

Am I an Author or a Prostitute......Who can Rightly Say?

Do some author's prostitute themselves to make a living creating stories that sell to the masses, rather than writing "their story" directly from the heart? That is the question of the day and one that I've asked myself repeatedly a thousand times.

There are so many stories in me, volumes and volumes of love and loss, spectacular successes and catastrophic failures. I've been there, done that and have the life changing scars to prove it. Then again, who wants to read about me? Romance readers read to escape, don't they?

I'm still a work in progress, experiencing first hand what it is to have much and most recently, what it means to have little. I've experienced the joy of paying off million dollar lines of credit through sales and the agony of watching a lifetime of investments sell on the "block" for pennies on the dollar.

I've been blamed for everything and I mean everything that has gone wrong since the economy collapsed in 2008, before finally taking my soul in 2012. I've learned first hand that no one wants to take responsibility for their actions and their blaming me for the real estate debacle, somehow makes them, appreciatively better. I can take it. Besides, what other choice do I have?

I've experienced a lifetime of love gone awry, shattering beautiful dreams and laying in waste a litany of broken lives, specifically my family and friends, including the once the apple of my eye.

Again, who wants to read about me?  Fortunately, in my travels to remake me, I've found new places across the West and Canada to write about and thankfully stumbled into a breathtaking new love who has rekindled the eternal optimistic romantic troubadour in me. Now, I've started writing novels far outside my old comfort zone. Stories, filled with travel and suspense, sprinkled with more truths than fiction, and yes, bursting at the seams with sex. Lot's and lot's of sex!

Whew! There, I said it. Sex of all descriptions sells in romantic reads across the world. It surely sells in mine. Am I therefore prostituting myself to make a living? Since I'm writing far outside my genre, I guess I am. Would I be writing this passion laced style if economy had not gone south? I doubt it. But, it is what it is. And since I am living this rebirth first hand, I can write what women are voraciously reading and buying firsthand.

So the next time you pick up a book and are not comfortable with the content, I'd suggest you dig a little deeper into the author's past, before you critically skewer them to the wall. I'm tired of apologizing for the sizzle in my books that screams to get out. Surprisingly, the reviews are good thus far and our stories are selling.

Again to reiterate, I'm  giving my all, and then some, to make a living first. Am I a prostitute? Merriam-Webster definition says: a person (as a writer or painter) who deliberately debases his or her talents (as for money.) Hmm, I guess I am. But, if writing action / adventure stories about paying it forward, laced with steamy romance is what sells, count me in. Whatever it takes to put food on the table, gas in my truck and the eventual resources to repay all those we put in Harm's Way, you're welcome to call me anything you want.


Clink on this link below to get a Free Download of Ride To Redemption and for a chance to win a slew of prizes October 20th - 24th.

http://ridetorestoration.blogspot.com/

Goin for the Gold in Sochi

Sochi has suddenly become a word, synonymous with greed, corruption, bribery and ineptness. What did you expect, it’s Russia? Can a leopard change its spots? Can a nymphomaniac regain her virginity? Can Vladimir Putin suddenly become as pure as the driven snow? Uh, never mind, sometimes my brain wanders when we know beyond a reasonable doubt what’s going to happen, yet we hope beyond hope it won’t.
    Therefore, I’m asking all who read this to join me in going for the Gold in Sochi. I’ve put in a request to Fed Ex and UPS to have planes waiting to deliver essential items  to all the non-Russians in Sochi. Desperately needed are gold shower curtains, gold towels, gold pillows and most importantly gold porta-potties that will accept ( excuse me ) toilet paper. I am humbly requesting everyone in Tennessee, we are the Volunteer State, as well as others, across our great land, to please drop off any and or all of these aforementioned necessities that you may have lying around, to your nearest Fed Ex or UPS store.
    We need bottled water too and lot’s of it. The gold colored water provided by the hosts may be a nice gesture on their part ( they mostly drink vodka anyway), but I’m sure it’s probably laced with laxatives and other scary things to even the playing field with the very best of the West. 
    I mean, come on, can you imagine our bobsled team having to sit for long periods of time, under the possible influence of Montezuma’s revenge without the comforting thought that a charmin roll was just within reach. The integrity of this years Winter’s Olympics is at stake here for everyone, other than the Russians, because of the deprivation of these western expected necessities.
    Oh, and we need gold digital movie cameras, a rather long, gold embossed telegraph wire stretched back to the good old U.S. of A and Golden Eagles trained as carrier pigeons, that can duck AA on their way out of Sochi. I’m sure everyone, from Olympian to cameraman is being hacked, duh, it’s Russia. The former head of the KGB is running this no show and all tell, we should expect, no less.
    I’m sure Tennesseans will rise to this challenge. Americans everywhere will follow as we load plane after plane with all these taken for granted here, necessities. And to insure this 54 billion dollar debacle does not succeed in winning the home country, the majority of gold medals, we probably need to send a few thousand pairs of name brand blue jeans and tennis shoes too.
    It’s Russia, what would you expect? Their society is built on graft, that’s how things work and only how things work. With everyone looking the other way at all times, it’s how business is done. Rarely, is anyone ever prosecuted because there, because  witnesses do not come forward.
     It happens here too, I know, just ask a former New Orleans Mayor, currently using the same argument as his defense.
    I digress. In all sincerity, let’s do this, let’s go for the gold together and show our athlete’s how proud we are of their efforts and commitments to be the best our country has to offer. Is it to much to ask us to sacrifice so little, when so much is at stake?
    Yes, it’s troubling when a plan doesn’t come together. It’s even more troubling to know that the power’s that be who selected Sochi, knew long before hand that it was all a pipe dream. The runner ups, Austria and South Korea, along with everyone from the West are all losers here. Hoping for hopes sake is not enough, especially when dealing with the history of Russia and their business practices and Vladimir Putin.

Let's Rise from the Sunken Couch and Share Our Talents while Inspiring the World

//www.huffingtonpost.com/david-wilson/its-time-we-rise-from-the_b_4703623.html

Whether you've been unemployed, one week, one month, one year or even longer, it's time to rise from the sunken couch you've resigned yourself to and engage the world around you, beginning with your neighbors just beyond the front door. You have talents worth exercising, gifts worth giving and priceless wisdom worth sharing, to the deserving masses, within your midst.

Without an immediate resurgence of small business growth in a country based on it's entrepreneurial spirit, long term unemployment will continue to drag down consumer confidence, and in turn small business; along with the jobs we so desperately need to employ us. There are small steps all of us can do, currently employed or not, to begin this resurgence, one kindness at a time.
When I started my first business, I had no clue what all it entailed. But what I did have, was an endless supply of encouragement, assuring me that I could do it. You know what, I did it, some thirty plus years ago and many more times since then. Starting to write my first novel last year was an equally daunting task, where I struggled immeasurably, because it was far outside my comfort zone. Imagine me writing a steamy, romantic, adventure thriller, sprinkled with truth and threaded with the theme, paying it forward no matter what, whew! Yet, there were people who believed in me, thereby empowering me to continue.

Guess what, Ride to Redemption published last month. More amazing, we've designated one dollar from every purchase to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Those folks know how to stretch a dollar like you wouldn't believe. They'll wrangle almost four meals out of it. I'm proud to tell you, novel two is well underway, why? Because of encouraging and glowing reviews from my peers. I've come to see, first hand, that anything is possible if there are people in our midst who share of themselves, their time and their talents. You too, can be that encourager to another struggling individual who needs a little help to believe, to keep on keeping on. Brain power, coupled with man power can do most anything. You just have to believe and be present.
Confidence breeds confidence, encouragement breeds encouragement, faith breeds faith. That's where you and I come in, by giving ourselves away. We have unique talents and gifts, specific only to us that can be used to make an immediate difference in the lives of others. My businesses have long since gone, swallowed up by a life altering recession and an economic collapse, most of us didn't see coming. Yet my talents remain, along with my heart. I'm doing my best to put them to better use, this time around.
While you're waiting for your next employment opportunity, continue to hone your valuable, marketable skills, by volunteering to serve, to encourage, to inspire. Look around you. We're hurting here. There's relatively few places one can go today without seeing need based service's struggling to meet their ever increasing demands. There are very few, if any community based organizations today that will turn down volunteers, in any shape or form.
Seniors need some type of assistance and or interaction everyday, be it changing a light bulb, reprogramming a remote, trimming some shrubs or just someone to talk to. Young people need mentoring, as well as tutoring, in Boy's Clubs and Girl's Clubs and Y's. Peer's need encouragement, inspiration and hope, if they too are in the throes of financial or emotional distress. Empathy goes a long way when others know you have walked in their shoes.
I can't promise that by venturing off the sunken couch and into the community, sharing your skills and passions with your neighbors, (We're all neighbors here) will get you employed any faster. But what it will do is keep your skill set sharp, your mind engaged and your heart in tune to the world, just beyond your door. I learned long ago, to give whatever you need the most of. So far in my life, I can tell you from my own personal experiences, it works. Many times it comes in unexpected ways, you will never fathom or imagine.
Here's a really kind review of our first novel, along with a link if, after reading it, you'd like to buy it through Amazon. Either way, Thank you. If you've got an extra dollar or two, send it to a Second Harvest Food Bank near you.
Purchase Ride to Redemption Here.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7K6J06

In 2014, You Can Take it With You.......

Thankfully, 2013 is behind us and 2014 has enveloped us right smack into the middle of the here and now. May I indulge all of you for a few moments who are glad to see 2013 fading quickly from sight in the rear view mirror? Last year kind of wrecked havoc on many of us, so for those of us in the throes, this year needs to be exceedingly, if not exceptionally, better. 

If you please, find a quiet place before you continue this read. Now, go get a blank sheet of paper and lay it down in front of you. Now read it. What does it say? Nothing, absolutely nothing. And that's a good thing. No, that's a great thing, because now we can cast off what is behind and begin anew at this moment, uncluttered.

All the triumphs, as well as, all the failures that we experienced last year are behind us. Before us is a clean slate called 2014, whereby we have the opportunity to write down the positive events we create today, today and write the positive events of tomorrow, if there is to be a tomorrow, tomorrow.

The first thing we must do today is be genuinely thankful for that which makes us who we are. No matter where we are in our life journey, a spirit of thankfulness will make all the difference going forward into 2014. Join me in writing down all the things you are thankful for. Your health, I sure hope so, your family, me too, your friends, absolutely, and finally your stuff, of course. Just remember in the end, it's just stuff.

Second, write down some things you'd like to change in yourself this forthcoming year. Be kinder to others, excellent, be more patient and understanding, good choice, be more forgiving, that's the spirit,  learn to be more appreciative, awesome, learn to give away whatever you need the most of, "Oops, where did that come from, I'm in it, to win it all, not to give it away."

Third, now that I've got your utmost attention, write down all the great stuff you've accumulated through the years that you plan taking with you when you're gone. Gotcha again. Silly me, you can't take stuff with you when you are taking your last curtain call, or can you? Many have tried I suppose from as far back as King Tut. Needless to say, all the beautiful, wonderful things that were included in his tomb, never made it beyond the door.

The good news is there are some things you can take it with you. I read a recent article about a slew of hospice patients reflecting on the good things throughout their lives. What created the greatest joy and evoked the warmest smiles was not all the stuff they accumulated over the years, but the fond memories of those whose lives they touched and the memories of those whose lives touched theirs.

By giving we receive, by getting we receive, priceless memories that we can take with us. Lifelong memories that, in turn, can be left with those most precious in our midst, long after the stuff has decayed and gone away. Memories created by giving and receiving whatever we need the most of. If you need love, give love unconditionally. If you need time, give time without constraint. If you need money, give all you can and then give some more. If someone gives you something, accept it graciously and joyfully. Otherwise, you will rob them of the joy, I'm asking you to join me in creating this year.

No matter our lot, be it content or in need, 2014 is our year to make it our best ever. Before us, today is the paper, our life the pen. Let us choose how we write it, in this moment, in this never before experienced time in our lives. I can't guarantee everything will be perfect, but I can guarantee that by giving whatever you need the most of, your life will be full and running over throughout the year. And by receiving with a grateful heart, any of that which we lack, will be little indeed.

Let's commit to building memories in 2014 that we can take with us into the years to come. Life is far too short, to contemplate otherwise.

Join us in paying it forward. $1.00 donated to Second Harvest Food Bank can be turned into four meals. What an awesome opportunity to be a part of something this amazing in 2014. Just imagine, forgoing 1 night a month eating out and giving the money to Second Harvest will provide up to 160 meals.

<em>Read an except of our latest novel,Ride to Redemption, here. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7K6J06
In this groundbreaking first novel, the author has crafted a plot that is sufficiently complex to hold our attention, yet straightforward enough to make for effortless reading. Elements of danger, intrigue, mystery, doubt, regret, hope and passion are interwoven into a fine and rich literary fabric.</em>
The pace never falters, temptingly enticing the reader from one climax to another. The ending is as unexpected to the reader as it must have been to the story's main character. It is satisfying, but leaves the reader lusting for more.