https://distrokid.com/videos/watch/mv-1Rs9vIh8B

Excerpts from my next Book:

Chapter 1: The Beginning of Forever
Introduction: The Gift of Forever Love
Love is one of life’s greatest mysteries—a force that transcends time, space, and human understanding. For those fortunate enough to discover true love and nurture it across decades, the experience becomes nothing short of a divine blessing. This book celebrates such enduring love, drawing on the profound journey of staying married and deeply in love for 45 years. It is not just a testament to romance but also to resilience, faith, and the art of choosing each other every single day.
A Prodigy of Love
When I was twelve years old, Millie professed her love for me in a way that even Romeo could not explain to Juliet. She was only eleven, and in her young, unwavering voice, she declared, “I will always love you for the rest of my life.
I will I never give my heart to anyone
else.” At twelve, what did I know about love? What did she? I often ask myself that question, but then I remember a passage from the Bible: A child shall
show them the way. Could it be that
love, like music or art, has its prodigies—those who understand its
depth before the rest of us do?
I didn’t think much of it at the time. My mind was occupied with baseball, riding my bike, and dreaming of one day being older. But Millie? She knew something I didn’t. Her words were the last thing she said to me when my family packed up and moved from the house we rented from her father. I still remember how she stood on the sidewalk, her arms crossed, biting her lip as if trying to hold back tears. She wasn’t the kind of girl who cried easily. She had a toughness about her that I admired. But that day, she looked fragile, like a dandelion whose petals were about to scatter in the wind. We drove away, and I didn’t look back. I should have. Maybe, in her own way, she truly meant what she said. Maybe it wasn’t just the fleeting emotions of a child. But what could I do? I was twelve, and life was carrying me forward whether I wanted it to or not.
As the years passed, I often wondered if Millie remembered that day. Did she hold on to those words? Or was it simply a moment in time, forgotten like so many childhood promises? The thing about first love is that it leaves an imprint, one you don’t fully recognize until much later in life.
You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?
As I reflect upon the tumultuous years of my wayward youth, I recognize the pivotal role that grace played in steering me away from the abyss. The times I should not have lived seven scores over were a testament to a providence that watched over me, guiding me through the shadows with an unseen hand. (Excerpts from my Autobiography)
What bores you?
This Bores me because I saw it coming since January 6th. The rippling effects will be felt by State and local Agencies who rely on certain Federal programs. As the song goes “You ain’t seen nothing yet.
In a significant overhaul of the U.S. military’s top leadership, President Donald Trump has dismissed several high-ranking officials, signaling a decisive shift in the Pentagon’s direction.
Key Dismissals:
General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr.: Serving as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since October 2023, General Brown was notable for being only the second Black officer in this role. His tenure encompassed critical periods, including the Ukraine conflict and Middle East operations.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti: The Chief of Naval Operations and the first woman to hold this position, Admiral Franchetti’s departure marks a historic moment in the Navy’s leadership.
General James Slife: As the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Slife played a pivotal role in shaping Air Force strategies and policies.
New Appointments:
President Trump has nominated retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Caine, a veteran of the Iraq War and former associate director for military affairs at the CIA, is recognized for his loyalty to President Trump and his unconventional approach to military leadership.
Strategic Implications:
This leadership shake-up aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s initiative to remove what he terms “woke” influences from the military. Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator and Army National Guard veteran, has been vocal about eliminating diversity and equity programs within the armed forces.
The restructuring has elicited varied reactions. Democratic leaders express concern over the potential politicization of the military, while Republican figures emphasize the necessity for leadership that aligns with the administration’s vision. This move underscores President Trump’s commitment to reshaping the military’s hierarchy to reflect his policy priorities and strategic objectives.

“Love is forever/ With the right one”
: Learning to See Beyond Myself
If there’s one lesson Laura taught me that changed the trajectory of my life, it’s this: the world doesn’t revolve around me. I’ve always had a quick wit, a penchant for humor that bordered on reckless, and a tendency to act first and think later. While those traits might make for amusing anecdotes in hindsight, they often came at the expense of other people’s feelings, especially Laura’s. She had the patience and wisdom to teach me how to temper those impulses, turning my rough edges into something smoother, more considerate, and better attuned to the people around me, Emotional intelligence.
There were countless moments where my lack of consideration could have driven a wedge between us, but Laura’s approach was always one of love and guidance. Take the incident at the doctor’s office, for example. That ill-timed joke—referring to her as a “miserable woman”—might have been amusing in my head, but it didn’t land that way for her. Her reaction wasn’t just a defense of her own dignity; it was a lesson for me to be more mindful of how my words impacted others.
Laura didn’t just tell me what I was doing wrong; she showed me what right looked like. Through her actions, I learned the value of kindness, thoughtfulness, and the power of empathy. She had a way of seeing people—not just what they showed on the surface but what they carried inside. Watching her interact with others, from family and friends to strangers, was like witnessing a masterclass in emotional intelligence. She taught me that being considerate isn’t just about avoiding hurtful words; it’s about understanding and anticipating how your actions might affect someone else.
Over time, her influence rounded me out. I started to think before I spoke, to consider the impact of my jokes, my decisions, and even my silences. Laura made me realize that humor, while a gift, is best used to uplift rather than tear down. She taught me that thoughtlessness, even when unintentional, can chip away at relationships if left unchecked.
But more than that, Laura showed me that being considerate isn’t just about avoiding harm—it’s about actively choosing to bring joy, comfort, and understanding into other people’s lives. It’s about seeing the world through someone else’s eyes and recognizing that their feelings, struggles, and triumphs matter just as much as your own.
Learning these lessons wasn’t always easy. There were times when my stubbornness got the better of me, and moments when I slipped back into old habits. But Laura’s love was unwavering. She didn’t give up on me, even when I gave her every reason to. Instead, she celebrated my progress, no matter how small, and encouraged me to keep striving toward becoming the best version of myself.
Now, I look back on my early years with Laura not with shame, but with gratitude. Gratitude for her patience, her strength, and her ability to see the good in me, even when I couldn’t. She didn’t just round me out; she reshaped the way I see the world and my place in it. Because of her, I’ve learned that being thoughtful and considerate isn’t just a skill—it’s a way of life, and one that I strive to embody every day.