Craig Ruvere

01Feb 2013 by CJ

Being a dad is not an easy job – it takes someone special

“Any man can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” Anne Geddes Anyone familiar with the “birds and the bees” knows that becoming a father is not a difficult process from a scientific standpoint. But just because you were able to create this new human life, does not automatically nominate you for father of the year. That’s a title you must diligently earn over the course of your child’s lifetime. There’s much more to being a father than simply providing food on the table and a roof over their head. It’s more than just attending little league games and class recitals. In short, it’s about unconditional love and continual support – regardless of their choices and your stern disapproval of then. Far too often father’s…

30Jan 2013 by CJ

Making life worth living for requires having a little hope

Life & Living

A life worth living for doesn't always require something grand, it just requires a little hope. Case in point. Some of you might be familiar with the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. If not, Home & Garden Television is giving away a prize package which includes a brand new home (fully furnished), cash and a car to one lucky winner. My wife is determined. Beyond researching the homes location and travel times from popular destinations, she’s educated herself on the contest rules and regulations – reading the fine print that most entrants probably never even look at. She diligently enters the contest each and every morning without fail – talk about determination. And while she understands that our chance of winning this over-the-top prize is slim at best, she always says,…

28Jan 2013 by CJ

New beginnings happen all the time you just have to embrace them

Love & Relationships, Youth

New beginnings make me think of this quote. All that is worth cherishing begins in the heart. ~Suzanne Chapin Did you ever find yourself riddled with emotions you’re unable to fully process? Lately I’ve been battling such a feeling, and it’s taken me a few days to completely figure out and understand their underlying meaning. For the last week, my sister-in-law and her three month old son have been visiting from Colorado - occupying the spare bedrooms in my house, and the empty spaces inside my heart. Though my wife and I have no children of our own, I have been thoroughly enjoying our little visitor. I think much of the credit goes to his mother, for allowing my wife and I to truly bond with her new son –…

23Jan 2013 by CJ

Our lives are measured by the memories we store in our hearts

Life & Living, Youth

"Memories are photographs taken by the heart to make a special moments last forever." (Unknown) This week a dear friend of mine had to deal with the loss of a cherished uncle – her father’s brother and the last remaining window into the history books of her legacy. Regardless of age or circumstance, the death of someone you care about is never an easy thing to process. In fact I’m a firm believer that we never really get over that loss, but rather find ways to cope through it. But if you’re a person possessing an unselfish character, chances are that you’ve been left an invaluable gift upon someone’s passing, and my friend is certainly one of them. Memories we store are a series of cherished moments that can be…

21Jan 2013 by CJ

Cancer survivor offers a wonderful resource for patients and caregivers

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living

Up until recently, the only thing I knew about Jeannine Walston was her mother – whom I had the great pleasure of working with for the better part of a year. I’m happy to say that we’ve stayed in contact since my departure from the organization we shared in common, and that’s how I eventually came to learn about her daughter Jeannine and her incredible cancer journey. Mary Lou Kownacki once said that, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.” Isn’t it true that far too often our relationships are very superficial? We exchange pleasantries, but otherwise we shield ourselves from having to console or advise others on the struggles they deal with personally. Many times it’s those unheard stories which help us re-evaluate our own…