Adult Shaken Syndrome

I know, I know. Where's the blog? Fortunately, I've been busy with work and busy with family. Sadly, the blog gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list. Trust me though when I say I have been passing on many of subjects that would have written themselves.

Lately, the news alone has made me shake my head so many times I've gotten dizzy and needed to sit down.

(See I'm already disabled and sitting. I never need to sit. Never mind.)

I've decided I want to be either Cook County Board President or just current Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's friend. Stroger is a very generous man. To his friends and to himself. Just the other day he gave his friends some hefty pay raises. One friend received a $54,000 raise. Mind you this person has only had her current position for 8.5 months. Her salary is now $230,000. Her position is that of Chief Financial Officer. 31% raise for 8.5 months must mean she has all the financial problems solved for Cook County, ummm no. Other county employees were forced to take unpaid days off because of budget short falls. I'd imagine $54,000 could have come in handy for something more needed. A head shaker.

Stroger a few weeks ago decided his office needed to be redecorated. The desks were old and creaky and dating all the way back to the 90's. Not 18 or 1790's, but 1990's. The desk I'm typing on right now is from the mid 1980's. It's a flat surface, works well.

I'm not against buying new things. I'm against a man who will be out of office in 7 months going on a spending spree with tax payers money. A head shaker.

Another one happened just yesterday. The Executive Director of Metra, the suburban transportation organization, killed himself by poetically stepping in front of a Metra train. He did his little act an hour before a press conference was to be held detailing to the public as to how much corruption he was involved with. The report said he stared directly into the eyes of the train engineer before he was hit and killed. My problem is this. Why use your excuse to get out ruin that engineer's life? I've read where engineers are haunted by the event of hitting somebody because they know a person is going to dye and they can't do anything to stop it. A head shaker.

I'm not even going to mention all the shootings, including a 20 month old baby. The shootings didn't make me shake my head, it was the news. When the baby was killed they said the shooting was possibly gang related. Then, hold your neck, the news people didn't believe the 20 month old baby was the intended target of the shooter. I HOPE NOT!

All head shakers.

23 Years

Not too often do people celebrate or acknowledge odd number anniversaries of important dates. Today marks the 23rd year since my Dad died of a heart attack. It was a shocking event that turned our lives upside down.

In these past 23 years my family has shown we are a strong family. We have overcome many hardships together. We said good-bye to many close family members. We also said hello to many new family members.

I thought about the friends that were with my family the day my dad died. Most are still in our life. And some are now my family. It's not that anybody did anything grand, its just that they were there for support.

I've found out that my dad was a good dad. He wasn't our friend, but he was good to us. He provided for us with very little to work with. Yet, we never felt as we were missing out.

He and my Mom showed what a marriage is supposed to be. I utilize much of their example in my own marriage. When Dad died they had been married for 27 1/2 years. I'll be married for 20 years come September.

With my son I find myself saying things to him that my dad said to me. When you're young you don't get it. As an adult your brain just finds these hidden phrases and spews them out.

"Whether I'm right or wrong I'm always right."

"I'm your father, that's why!"

"B e a c a u s e I s a i d s o."

I think I can say I've thought about my father everyday since he died. I am who I am because of him. I tell my son about him often. My son reminds me of my Dad. Jimmy loves sports as much as my Dad did. My Dad would have been a great coach for my son. I get sad that they missed each others lives.

So I take pause this April 18th. 23 years ago my life changed forever by the passing of a man I shall never forget.

I love you Dad.