Last September, my beautiful great-granddaughter Olivia was born. Of course, everyone in our family instantly loves her, and I am bombarded with pictures of her progress and activities. For my birthday in December, my youngest daughter (Olivia’s grandma) gifted me an Aura digital photo frame. It’s one of the best gifts I have ever received, and I now have nearly instant pictures of Olivia’s progress. It’s fantastic.

Now, our senior family members needed a name for her to eventually call us. The range of names went from cute to questionable. Olivia’s mom has always referred to me as a super grandpa. So wait for it – that’s what Olivia will eventually call me. I really have ascended to Superstar status.

One of the real perks of getting older is discovering what you’re willing to live with—and what you’re not. As you age, the desire to accumulate more ‘stuff’ tends to fade, and instead, your focus shifts to what’s truly meaningful in life.

Soon, you’ll start realizing just how precious friends are and how truly irreplaceable they can be. I’ve heard many people say they have friends everywhere, suggesting there’s an endless circle of familiar faces who welcome them wherever they go. But in my heart, I believe it’s not about how many people you consider friends—it’s about those who really matter to you the most.

I can count my true friends on two hands, maybe even just one. These are special people I’ve known for decades—they are the ones I know I can always rely on. More importantly, they are dear friends, no matter how far apart we are or how much time passes. I truly cherish each and every one of them. A few years ago, I was watching a Seinfeld episode where a pool attendant, who didn’t know Jerry very well, asked if he could be his best friend. Jerry hesitated and said, “Sorry, I don’t need any more friends.” I totally understand what he meant by that.

I watched the hummingbirds at the feeder a little while ago and thought it won’t be long before they head to their winter home. Right now, they are eating more and more to get ready for their long journey. It’s rare for more than one to eat at a time; however, at one point, three of them were divebombing each other for a place at the feeder.

It’s hard to imagine their trip; they lift off in the East Tennessee sky and head to Mexico and Central America. I read it takes about 40 hours of flying, at an average of 30 MPH, for them to reach the Mexican border, some 1,178 miles away.

Some of them fly 500 miles non-stop in about 20 hours. Even more incredibly, in their spring migration, they’ll remember exactly where my feeder is when they return, and I’ll most likely see them again. I’ll leave the welcome mat out for you.

Some time ago, I completed a series of 44 radiation treatments; I’d never, ever, been subject to a round of treatment like this. I was scared of the process, the actual treatment, and, of course, how I’d feel during this journey. Had I known two critical things, I wouldn’t have worried for one moment. The first is the passage in Isaiah 41.10, which reads in part: Fear not, for I am with you. The second is that I had a personal army of angels who cared for me on each of the 44 days.

From the moment I stepped into the clinic until my final treatment, my team made me feel truly cared for—they are like angels with how naturally they handle everything and how they understand patient reactions. Honestly, nothing could have prepared me for just how extraordinary they are. Each member has become a part of my extended family, and I can’t imagine what I would do without all of you.

In December of 2006, I visited a local dealer and bought this 2007 Ford Escape. It came with a sunroof, gorgeous leather seats, and the strength and power to feel like my very own Magic Carpet. This vehicle was truly spectacular. Over the course of 17 years, we traveled everywhere together — a total of 250,883 miles.

What an incredible travel companion! We experienced every kind of weather, faced traffic jams, burned through countless gallons of gasoline, and made endless pit stops along the way. Every day, we hear the refrain “they don’t build them like they used to”. I’m here to tell you this was a perfect partner. Boy, do I miss this car.

As a kid, watching the movie “The World of Suzy Wong” in San Francisco was a magical experience for me. It took me to a place I had never dreamed of—Hong Kong. Just hearing the name of the city made me smile One of the most unforgettable moments in the film was when the scene was set on the famous Star Ferry called “Twinkling Star.” I loved that name and often daydreamed about what it would be like to be riding that ferry.

Fast forward many years, and what do you know?

One day I was standing at the Star Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong, waiting to board that ferry for the first time. The ride offers up one of the great bargains in the world, especially if you opt to ride in second class, which is on the main deck. Occasionally I’d splurge and go first class on the top deck, but that wasn’t where Suzy (and Bill Holden) rode, so neither would I.

I lived in Hong Kong with my family for four years and, over that time, had ample opportunity to ride the many Star Ferries back and forth. I’d often wait for the next one if it happened to be “Twinkling Star.” My daughters thought I was nuts, but in time, they also understood my quirks (one of many, I assure you.) Who knew how much that movie would affect my life?

Now, everyone can visit the famous World War II airplane, Memphis Belle, in her new home in the National Museum of the United States Air Force, located in Dayton, Ohio. This remarkable airplane and other exhibits offer dramatic insight into the people, men, and women who made military aviation history from all perspectives before, during, and after the US Air Force was formed.

I live in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where much of the atomic bomb was crafted. Sometimes I stop and think about how a group of very talented people came together to make this happen. Using this very airplane changed the world, and it started 2 miles from my house. That’s a lot more exciting than watching the movie.

Anyone who reads my posts knows how much I love reading. I’m not a Bible scholar by any measure, but I really enjoy Wednesdays when I meet up with a group of men from our church to discuss various secular writings. Today, we discussed the concept of “Agape”. As our conversation progressed, I took a moment to read different versions of the word and gained new insights.

I learned that Agape is about giving generously without expecting anything back. This special kind of love is often associated with spiritual or divine love, emphasizing the idea of loving others selflessly, just as we are loved by a higher power.

All of us in the group are senior citizens, including me. We often enjoy focusing on meaningful things that matter most. By the end of our discussion, we all warmly embraced the idea of giving without expecting anything in return. It’s truly an excellent and inspiring motivator.