07Jan 2014 by CJ

Making time for someone who deserves the company

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
In today’s materialistic society, few will ever understand the importance of giving your time to someone in need. To take a moment out of your busy schedule to interact with someone who will genuinely benefit from your tender contact and unconditional love. The more I journey through life, the more I understand that many times that’s really all a person needs in life – a reminder that someone cares and is there for them regardless of circumstance or situation. The gift of your time costs nothing, but its value is infinite to both parties involved. I’m not naïve to the business we all feel in society today – the pressures of raising a family, earning a living and maintaining a home can be exhausting at the end of any given…
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06Jan 2014 by CJ

Happiness may not be infinite, but sometimes you have to help find it

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living, Love & Relationships
You learn quickly in life that happiness is not infinite. That everyone at one time or another experiences challenges and struggles that often rob a person of the ability to smile or feel great joy with any regularity. Of late I’ve been finding myself there – even though my life is filled with many wonderful blessings I should be grateful for, and I am. But lately my spirit seems to be in a bit of a funk – seemingly unsatisfied with the current state of my existence (except for my amazing wife who remains my one constant). At times I feel somewhat trapped by the complacency of my life – the routine that carries on from one day to the next. While I understand that you cannot escape your problems…
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16Dec 2013 by CJ

Making Struffoli and enjoying the memories that come along with it

Love & Relationships
I always remember my grandmother making Struffoli (honey balls) around Christmas time. Struffoli is a kind of Italian cookie, which was originally created to symbolize abundance and good luck. Stories exist that nuns once gave them to the Italian aristocracy during the holiday as a sort of thank you for all the good works they’d done for charity. However they came into existence, they’re a gooey sweet treat I always enjoyed eating growing up – and still do! When my grandmother reached the age where she could no longer fully prepare a meal for herself, my wife and I decided we would make the Struffoli dough at our house and then bring it over to assemble it with grams. On the small television in one corner of her kitchen, we’d…
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12Dec 2013 by CJ

Remember what the “true” gifts of Christmas really are

Love & Relationships
I’ve always believed with age comes humility - a clearer sense of what is truly valuable in our lives. As children the holidays are a time of continual receiving - not giving - and for some this ideal continues well into adulthood. But I fully believe that anyone who’s journeyed long enough through the ups and downs of life understands that the holidays are a time for remembrance. A time to recall Christmas’ of yesterday, which no longer exist anywhere but in our hearts and in our minds. A time to remember that Christmas is about you and me – the people who make it special. It’s during this time of year that my wife and I display a book entitled “The Christmas Letters” written by Bret Nicholaus. The book…
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04Dec 2013 by CJ

Though the experience is over, memories are a window into the past

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
The other day I was rummaging through a drawer for something-or-other and came across the enclosed photograph. Within seconds I was transported back to being a teenager for a pleasant trip down memory lane. Throughout high school, I always worked behind-the-scenes on the school plays. [caption id="attachment_2010" align="alignright" width="283"] Craig's moment in drag[/caption] Fascinated by the workings of theatrical productions as a kid, this became one of the highlights of my high school years whether it was working on sets, organizing props and furnishings or pulling open the curtain at show time.My drama teacher Mr. Richard Snyder, who also directed and produced all of our main stage productions, was an incredible influence on me. A friend and mentor, he made a shy and insecure teenager feel appreciated and accepted and…
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