I Tip My Hat To You

Recently, my little town of St. Cloud endured a very tragic loss. A dear friend of many lost his life fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan at a time when giving back and helping others is the talk of the season. For the extraordinarily brave people fighting for so many strangers, giving is the talk of their lives. I'd like to take the time to thank all of the men and women serving our country, who have served our country, and who are waiting to do so. None of us are invincible, although we tend to think we are. Take the time to tell people how you feel, to forgive someone that you may not believe deserves forgiveness, to show kindness to a complete stranger, and to spend time with the people that mean the most. Turn off your television, turn down the radio, sit down and reconnect.

To my wonderful family and friends: I love you all more than you know, and appreciate every day I am blessed to be a part of your lives.

To Joey and Jesse: Thank you, I love you both tremendously.
To all of our service men and women: Thank you, we are in your debt forever.
RIP Patrick Deans.

If I Knew

by Norma Cornett Marek

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep. If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more. If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day. If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you would know I do. If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, Well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away. For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, And we always get a second chance to make everything just right. There will always be another day to say "I love you," And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do?" But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight. So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day, That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish. So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear, Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Thank you," "Please forgive me," or "It's okay." And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.