Give a Gift..

When everyone thinks of the holidays they always think about material gifts. Whats the new electronic device out? Whats the nicest pair of shoes/boots? Whats this? Whats that? How do I know this? Well, because I'm one of them! Haha! This year is different though. Instead of spending all my money on gifts for all relatives and people I know. I told them that their gift will be a favor. It doesn't have to be now or tomorrow. It doesn't even have to be this year. But when ever you need a hand with anything. I'm there. Of course this doesn't work with my kids, because that's what fathers are for any way. My kids have been blessed every year during the holidays and as long as God allows it, they will continue too. This year, before the year ends, I would like to get to a shelter of some kind and help out. Even a local YMCA and help out with any needs they need. A gift doesn't have to be anything materialistic to mean something. A gift is something you give from the heart. Something that you sat down and thought about it. Something that when you give it to that person, they will have that look on their face. You know the look I'm talking about. The look that cancels all your bad feelings you might be going through. All the feelings of doubt you might have for that day. A gift can be anything. One of my favorite gifts is writing a list of gratitude towards a special someone. Telling them how much they truly mean to me. I wrote my fiance a poem last year, and also got her something, but the poem is what struck her as awesome. So, this year, before its over, do something for someone. Give someone a gift that you can't buy at a store. Go out of your way for someone. Make someone feel that they are number one in your book. Let me know some of the Gifts you will be giving. Thanks! Stay blessed.

No Values At All

This morning as I walked into the Wawa, as I always do every morning. I got to the door the same time a mother and her son got to the door. Out of force of habit and how I was raised, I opened the door for them. The mother looked at me and said thank you and then the son walked in before the mother. He then went to the next set of doors and opened them just enough for him to be able to squeeze through. I was amazed at this. The mother didn't say a single thing. She almost looked like it was of the norm. Is this how it is now a days? No values at all? No morals? If my father ever saw me do that, a swift smack to the back of the head would follow. I was raised to always say please and thank you and to always be grateful for what I had and not what I needed! Well, back to this kid. He was wearing a set of headphones and all he had in his hands was a Gatorade. While his mom had the gallon of milk, eggs, and was juggling her purse to get the money out. She was able to get the gallon of milk on the counter but the eggs didn't quite make it. She was embarrassed and completely red. This is what really got me pissed. Her son then looked around at her, and under his breath, “you such a clumsy person mom!” I am a very timid guy. It takes a lot for me to get upset and to the point where I feel that I need to say something. I tapped the kid on the shoulder, maybe 13-14 years old, and asked him in a calm and cool manner, “your just gonna stand there while your mother is struggling with this”? “Yea, she dropped em”. I was blown away. Unreal. How in the world did this kid get this way? Can someone please tell me is this the normal thing to do? I wouldn’t even dare to THINK that growing up. I proceeded to help the woman clean the mess up and I went over and got her a new thing of eggs. The whole time this cat just stood there looking. I really wanted to smack some sense into him but I don’t think it would of helped. I just don’t understand anymore people. I am raising my children to be respectful to everyone. Right from wrong. Morals. Manners. The whole 9. I do my best to go out of my way most days to make sure I open the door for a female or help someone get there groceries in their car. Please leave me some feedback and let me know if you would feel the same way. Also, if you have a story like this, let me know. Thanks for reading. Stay blessed.

A Shot of Gratitude

Every day I wake up I am grateful. Some people don't get that chance to enjoy a morning sun rise. Every night I lay my head down on the pillow, a sense of gratitude comes over me. Even if the day was full of problems and a lot of aggravation. I am still grateful that I was able to live another day. Just recently my oldest son became ill. He kept complaining about his stomach. That it was a sharp pain. I had thought that maybe he pulled a muscle from coughing. It wasn't. The phone rang at work and it was my better half telling me that I need to get to the hospital quick because my son was being emitted. As I sped to the hospital every thought and feeling was bad. What was wrong with him? Is there anything I could of done? What am I going to do? I got to the hospital just at the doctor was walking in to tell us the news. My son had appendicitis. I was filled with fear. Everyone told me that it was such a simple procedure and there was no need to worry. But it was my son laying there. Not theirs. We were shipped out to CHOP in Philadelphia for a emergency surgery. Here is the gratitude hit. We were sitting there in the room and the doctor just explained how the anesthesia works. My fiance had to leave to the room to move the car. I explained to my son that he was just going to be put to sleep for a little bit so he wouldn't feel anything. My son then grabbed my hand and said, “Dad, you're going to be here when I wake up right?” I looked at him with tears in my eyes and told him, “Absolutely pal, I am not going anywhere”. The feeling of gratitude that I felt at that moment could not of been measured. It was like I finally found what I was looking for. Hard to explain that feeling to people, but if you have kids then maybe you will understand. All the fear was filled with faith right then and there. My son, going into surgery, had made my day. More like my life right there. Gratitude is a verb to me today not a noun. You have to express it. Its just like wrapping a gift and not giving it away. Oh yea, my sons surgery went well. Thanks again for all the prayers too. Stay blessed.

Patience is a virtue..

I have been having alot of problems with keeling my cool. Especially with my kids and loved ones.  From being at work and dealing with irate customers to the drive home anymore. My level of patience has dropped significantly. Why? Not sure. I ask myself the same question everyday. The main reason is I sometimes forget how good life really is. I tend to dwell on all the negative things going on and discard all the positive things. I forget the life I used to have. A horrible life full of hopeless nights and sorrowful days. I need to remember those times more frequently. When I don't think of how good life is and let the negatives run my day. Im ruined. My patience then get even worse because I already ruined my day by letting the negativity run thorough. The real hit to this story is that I pray every day. Some deep prayers and some prayers where I just ask for God's will. The patience kicks in when God's will is delivered but I don't want it. I want my will. Then I seem to get frustrated and take it out in everyone. Here's the hit I was talking about. When I pray for patience, I don't automatically get blessed with patience. I am put in different situations where I must learn and accept patience! As long as I just accept the moment for the moment, all will be well. Just for today.

Intro

    In a life of plenty of make believe storyies and old wives tales, there are a few that keep it true.  Im here to let everyone know that staying positive about any situation can be done.  My name is Shawn but alot of people know me as Stretch.  I have been blessed to have a second life given to me.  For that I am truly grateful. 
     Of course you are going to have trials and tribulations in life that will rock your foundation and make it very hard to have faith and believe that everything will work out.  Trust me cause I have been there.  I have had many near death expierences in my time and today, just for today, I am grateful to be here.  In saying that, everyone has had some hurt in their life.  Im writing these blogs to try and help the next person out the same way someone has helped me.  I hope that everyone continues to follow this and thanks for the support.

Stretch.. follow me on twitter @stretchd1982