Son-In-Law

The other day, my daughter Jessica updated the look of her blog . With the new look, her picture is smaller, so I clicked on it to see it full size. When it opened up, it just hit me how good she looks with her husband, John!

I must confess, I haven't seen Jessica as happy since she was a little girl. I must also confess that I don't know John as well as I should. That's my loss, I think.

John has loved Jessica long before Jessica realized that she loved John. They dated some in High School, but Jessica decided to call it quits. Despite this, John maintained contact with the family and continued to help her mom and sister in Jessica's absence.

Here's a paraphrased story about John... Once, Jessica was boarding a flight and discovered that she didn't have her driver's license. Without it, she couldn't board the plane. It was painfully early in the morning but returning to the house would mean she'd miss the flight. They called John, woke him up and asked him to go get Jessica's driver's license and rush it to the airport.

Think about it... Your ex-girlfriend asks you to go to her house, rifle through her stuff to find one thing, and drive like a banshee to the airport 25 miles away! John did this, pulled into the passenger drop-off and handed the license over as Jessica immediately ran to the airplane. He returned home by himself, but Jessica made the flight.

John likes golf and games. He used to teach theater craft and worked in theater productions. Now, he is an insurance manager at Farmer's. All of this is completely outside my world, but the one thing we have in common is his wife - my daughter Jessica. I remember having no concerns about him when they got married. I have no concerns now.

Jessica recently sent me an e-mail in which she wrote, "He's not just a big part of my life....he is my life" You can see that in Jessica. But as you look at that picture, you can see it in John as well. He has always treated her like a princess even when Jessica treated him like... well... like less than a prince. I may not know John as well as I should, but I know enough to see the joy he brings to Jessica's life. He is someone I want to know better... I just need to learn a little about golf or 'Guitar Hero'...

I'm thankful that John patiently courted Jessica. I thankful that he loves her so much. I'm thankful for his personality and joy that he brings to everyone. Most of all, I'm thankful that John is part of my family.

50th Birthday Surprise!

I know this is a long BLOG post, but I can't say enough about how great my birthday was. Thanks for reading...

On the actual day of my birthday, DeAnna and I went out to eat. The girls called to wish me a happy birthday. Even Andy called me and we had a nice chat. I told them that it was nice to have a relaxing birthday and that we were getting ready for a week of hosting DeAnna's mom. Most of the week I had spent cleaning and organizing the house getting ready. All-in-all a low-key series of events.

Friday was just another work day and that afternoon, I did the final touches on the house. DeAnna came home from work and fixed some tuna casserole for us to eat after we picked up her mom. I must confess that on the way to the airport, I started feeling a little sorry for myself. I planned to spend a lot of time over the weekend by myself downsizing my music room and organizing stuff.

We made it to baggage claim and waited. DeAnna was anxiously watching the stairs, but I knew that her mom couldn't walk very well, so I watched the elevator in the opposite direction. Suddenly, DeAnna jumped up in front of me and said, "I have a confession to make... I lied to you... my mom isn't coming." She turned me towards the stairs and said, "Happy Birthday!"

I glanced towards the stairs, but didn't understand and turned back to ask her what she meant. She nodded to look again. I turned and gave a serious look towards the stairs, not seeing anything out of the ordinary. At that time, a tall guy stepped right in front of me and drew my attention. It was best friend from OKC, Milford! Wait, Jessica and Julia were with him! WOW!!!

I was speechless! They all smiled real big and said, "Happy Birthday!" I hugged them all and still wasn't fully believing what was happening. I must have been smiling, but confused looking. We walked to the car talking about how they were going to stay for the weekend. It was fabulous! Milford started talking about everything and didn't stop. The girls sat in the back seat with DeAnna while we drove out into the sub-zero landscape home.

When we got home, we ate the tuna casserole (the girls liked it and commented on it). We gave them a tour of the house (with the notable exception of my junky music room). and settled in the living room to visit and chat. After a while, DeAnna went to bed and I stayed up with the girls until 11:00pm or so. I had to get them all hooked up to the internet so they could e-mail their friends and update their BLOGs...

We got up early Saturday morning and I took them to the Original Pancake House for breakfast - all the while talking and visiting (DeAnna went to breakfast with a friend). The thermometer in the car read -15. They were all impressed. After breakfast, the girls wanted to give Milford a tour of the Mall of America, but it was too early for the mall to open. I drove them into downtown Minneapolis to see the city

After that, I drove to a park with a lake beach to drive out onto the ice. Milford said, "Look, we're walking on water!" The girls smiled nervously and we returned to the relative safety of icy pavement. We drove over towards the mall, but went to IKEA first. Jessica and Julia really love that place. Milford took notes for inspiration for new projects. After a while, we went to the mall.

By this time, the mall was pretty crowded and it was hard to "shop" and talk, so the girls went to a couple of stores and Milford and I toured the interior of the mall. He was greatly impressed with the scale of the place. Around 2:00pm, we left for home.

When we returned, everyone got comfortable and we did some more visiting. DeAnna reminded us that she had made reservations at 'Buca' (an Italian restaurant) and that we needed to leave at 6:30pm. It was wonderfully pleasant, relaxed conversation and though we were all still full from the big breakfast, we left for the restaurant on time.

I drove the car, so I dropped everyone off at the door and parked in the far side of the parking lot. When I got in the door, no one was around but DeAnna showed up and motioned for me to come with her. I weaved my way through the crowd to a back room. As I walked in the doorway, DeAnna said, "Happy Birthday!"

The room had a large table with many of my good friends already seated. There was a large "Happy Birthday" sign on the wall. I was given the birthday boy crown and seated between Jessica and Julia at the middle of the table. I saw several pictures of me as a kid or teenager floating around the table. Everyone had written a birthday wish on the back of the pictures. It was really neat!

We ordered up the food and everyone visited for a few hours but before we left, the waitress showed up with a candlestick and loudly announced to the whole place that it was my birthday. I was 'encouraged' to stand on the chair and dance while holding the candle. Everyone sang and laughed. When we returned home, the girls and I stayed up to talk as we did the night before. It was wonderful.

Sunday morning, Milford and I went up to the church building early so I could do a little work on the church audio system before worship. DeAnna started some brisket for lunch and the girls joined us at 9:00 for church. After church, we returned home and were joined by my best friend, Kevin. Lunch was really great and after we ate, everyone stayed around for hours and talked.

Jessica and Julia joined in the conversation. I enjoyed discussing things with them as adults. They held their own with a bunch of old people. Eventually, Kevin left and we retired to the living room for a relaxing evening until it was time to leave for the airport. DeAnna had arranged a late flight out to OKC and though it was a late night for the travelers, it was a wonderfully extended time for me.

We watched Jessica, Julia and Milford go through security and drove home. DeAnna had really pulled off a wonderfully happy series of events! She is absolutely great! Not one person spoiled the surprise. I am truly blessed to have such friends and family, but I am most blessed with DeAnna's love and support.

50 Things I Am Thankful For

As I turn 50 years old, it seems appropriate to count some of my blessings, so I offer this list of 50 people and things I am thankful for. Do not infer favouritism in the order of the list (I intentionally randomized the list and then put God at the top). I'm sure the list would change if I thought more about it, but I've got the next 50 years to think about!

1) I am thankful to God for bringing me into this world, watching over my life and leading me. To God Be The Glory!

2) I am thankful for the couple that challenged and opened up my spiritual life, Dan & Margarita Trautmann.

3) I am thankful for darkness and silence - the best ingredients for prayer and contemplation.

4) I am thankful for central heating & air conditioning (remember Texas and Minnesota).

5) I am thankful for personal, global communications like cell phones, satellites and the Internet. Nothing else has the hope of uniting the world like the possibility of ubitiquous communication. Imagine ditching the ambassadors and have citizen negotiating with citizen.

6) I am thankful for gadgets and technology. Somethimes goofy and useless, I marvel at the vision that someone had and the expectation that a gadget would actually be useful. After all, who would ever WANT to watch a full-length movie on a cell phone screen?!?! :-)

7) I am thankful to have lived in many different places. Oklahoma, Oregon, Kansas, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania and now Minnesota... how interesting!

8) I am thankful for my best friend, Kevin Parker. He gave me the gift of service in love and loyalty. He sought me out and demonstrated what it means to be a Christian man.

9) I am thankful for those who serve in the United States Military, including everyone else from my immediate family.

10) I am thankful for my younger daughter, Julia Pearson. Got her looks and personality from her mom's side of the family. Thoughtful, beautiful and independent... she knows what she wants and goes for it.

11) I am thankful for my friend Karen Hildreth. In spite of myself, she still cared enough to be a true friend.

12) I am thankful that I was born in the United States. God Bless America!

13) I am thankful for my younger brother, Jim Pearson. Conflict sometimes marked our childhood, but we are close these days. Jim is someone I can just sit around and chat with - a totally comfortable person.

14) I am thankful for the man who believed in my ability and future in IT technology, Joe Peichel.

15) I am thankful for peace. Though it seems there's always something to argue about or fight over, the fragile security of a prosperous peace encourages benevolence.

16) I am thankful for my step kids, Alyson, Stacey and Andy Mack. They have taught me to aspire to be like the ultimate step-dad, Joseph (Jesus' earthy father).

17) I am thankful for my iconic, generous and mentor father. He took a number of major risks in his life and always adored my mother. Dad adds peace to our lives.

18) I am thankful for the first minister I've ever known who demonstrated true grace and love, Bob Gregg.

19) I am thankful for my first, real, best friend, Milford Schaeffer. He taught me how to bend the world around me to fit my needs and to simplify everything.

20) I am thankful for my youngest brother, John Pearson. My mom once asked me in frustration, "Why can't you be like your youngest brother?" (my grades weren't very good) I don't know, but I know I should learn more from him. He inspires me.

21) I am thankful for clean water. Think about it, you can go anywhere in the USA and get a drink without getting sick. This is not true for the entire continent of Africa!

22) I am thankful for my career(s) and especially my current employer, Seagate. Seagate has given me stability, opportunity and most of all variety in my work.

23) I am thankful for electricity. Power makes all this possible. The next big "thing" will be the battery that runs a laptop for 24 hours and the battery that runs a car for 300 miles!

24) I am thankful for my older daughter, Jessica Anderson (Pearson). Got her looks and personality from my side of the family. Driven, beautiful and alive... she is self assured and positive!

25) I am thankful that my life changes from time to time. Along with this is the fact that I can't anticipate the changes.

26) I am thankful for my 6th and 7th grade science teachers, Mrs. Phagen & Mrs. Hereford. Though I never pursued the math that would enable it, they inspired me to know how and why things work.

27) I am thankful for my hobbies and amateur pursuits. Amateur is based on the Latin word "amator" or lover... doing something just because you love to do it!

28) I am thankful for my wife, DeAnna Pearson who accepts me as I am - "warts" and all. Unappreciated too often but never ignored, she restores my life. A daily inspiration for me to be better for someone else.

29) I am thankful that I was raised by Christian parents. Without doing anything else, I already know the value of fairness, honesty and sacrifice.

30) I am thankful for the person who first invited me to church in Lawton, Oklahoma: Ann Pettit.

31) I am thankful for ex-wife, Debbie Pearson, the mother of my children. I regret our divorce for many reasons, chief among them the hurt and damage I have done to her. I pray that she lives a joyous and secure life.

32) I am thankful for Science Fiction - especially the positive vision of the future from Star Trek. I'm ready to beam up!

33) I am thankful for my loving, goofy, high-spirited mother. She eloped with my dad and she's been running the house ever since. Mom adds passion to our lives.

34) I am thankful for Radio and Television and the cultural influence they have had. That may not be a politically correct thing to say, but I think they have done vastly more good than harm. Where's my remote?

35) I am thankful for the hot and cold and changes of seasons. I love Summer when it's Winter and vice versa. The grass is always greener on the other side of Spring.

36) I am thankful for computers... 'nuff said, huh?

37) I am thankful for imagination and imaginative solutions for unimportant needs or problems that are complex and beneficial.

38) I am thankful for people who give us clear examples of the dark side of humanity like Adolph Hitler and Saddam Hussein. I need people like this to make me look good.

39) I am thankful for people who love to do things that I hate to do. I just wish I could get to know more of these people!

40) I am thankful for the two men who fought to keep me employed at Seagate and gave me the chance to extend my expertise in computers, John Cahill and Alan Parks.

41) I am thankful for my liberal arts education in Mass Communications and my technology education in Telecommunications Management.

42) I am thankful for the most accommodating and encouraging manager I've ever known, Dan Shields.

43) I am thankful for the first manager I ever had that cared to push me to be better, Herman Runnels. He made me make decisions and stand by them in the face of criticism.

44) I am thankful that God's church is changing and becoming more spiritual. There's more to God's word than just the word!

45) I am thankful for air and space travel. Orvill, Wilbur, Amelia, Neil, Jim and Bruce still inspire me (Ask me if you can't figure out who these people are).

46) I am thankful for the guy most responsible for teaching me the grace of losing, Jeff Dix (He always beat me at the ridiculously simple game of Sticks in high school).

47) I am thankful for the gift of singing and the expression of music. This one item could fill a page with me, but I'll just leave it to Do, Ra, Me Fa, So, La, Ti, Do!

48) I am thankful that I can decide between right and wrong. Choosing wrong leads me to better choose right the next time, but I wouldn't care about right from wrong if I couldn't choose the mistaken wrong.

49) I am thankful for the creative, caring and energetic professor at OCC, Gary Rayburn... I know about his unspoken personal curse, but he taught me that creative showmanship can be memorable inspiration.

50) I am thankful for a willingly offered, unencumbered service. Whether it is a door opened or a gift without expectations, to serve is to impart kindness and life.