Our Journey

There are times when walking through this world, our world and our life, that perhaps we feel very alone. Sometimes things are said, perhaps, without thought. Sometimes actions taken without explanation. Sometimes we’re left out. Sometimes we’re in our own world and we close off others, even those whom we care about and those who care about us, because at times, our lives become too much. I’ve been there on both sides of that road.

Sometimes we’re troubled by the fact that there are those who leave us: emotionally, physically, and that parting is sometimes painful. Very painful.

I came across a wonderful passage that I wanted to share with you. It isn’t my own, but rather one written by Jean Turbeville Sanders.

The Train

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side.  However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.  Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats. This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey.

Each of us is on a Journey. It’s personal. Yes, we share it. Perhaps we don’t share it, but others know nonetheless. And sometimes we consider it to be just Our Journey, not realizing that there are others out there willing to help, to comfort, to listen, to support, and to just be with us as we make our way on Our Journey.

And . . .

Perhaps, without realizing it, we are a part of someone else’s Journey. Whether it be the folks we work with each day, go home to at night, the guy we buy the coffee and donut from, or the guy we wave at on our way to work. Sometimes, it is the children we teach, or the children we go home to each night, or the one’s we love dearly and who love us back. Sometimes, it is the folks who are disgruntled, who are negative and unhappy, the ones who complain. Yes, they are on Our Journey, too. Even them.

So, we have a choice, you and I. We can choose to make this Journey without regard to those around us, even without regard to ourselves. Or, we can be intentional in our words and our actions and make Our Journey better, more loving, and easier for others. And by doing so, we make Our Journey better, more loving, and easier for ourselves. Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

To My Readers:

Are you into #Thrillers #Mysteries & #Suspenseful #Crime Novels? Yes! Then You Will Love The Lives Trilogy! Get Your Copies Today!

🔪  http://tinyurl.com/hmyn7al   🔪

#Mystery #Thriller #Suspense #Crime #Fiction #Kidnapping #Murder #KindleUnlimited #BTIWOB — with Joseph Lewis Author

Plan And Prepare

We knew the forecast was for snow. Actually, there were several forecasts and several weather models and it all depended upon where the storm would actually track. I listened to the weatherman- or meteorologist, I suppose is the correct title- and I looked at his weather map that resembled a pile of colored spaghetti that fell out of the box (something I’ve done a time or two).

Most of the channels agreed. The only difference was in how many inches of snow we’d get. The common theme was that we’d get a lot.

So . . .

On we went to Walmart. Purchased the necessities and made sure we had enough to get us through several days, maybe one or two extra “just in case.” Kim and I checked our lists just to be certain. Now, we only live 1.6 miles from Walmart, but when it snows, everything is shut down and we knew that if the amount of snow predicted was accurate, we’d be snowed in for several days. So we Planned And Prepared.

To paraphrase John Fogerty in one song and Steve Earle in another, “The Snow (rain) came down . . .”And we shoveled, and shoveled, and shoveled.

There are two things Kim likes to do when she is restless: she puts together puzzles and she bakes. I read and write and watch movies. Emily plows through Netflix, reads, and after a little prodding, she does some homework. But at least we did the Planning And Preparing.

Got me thinking . . .

We Plan And Prepare for much in our life. Now is tax season, so we gather our records and receipts and try to make sense of it all. The young ones write and rewrite cover letters and polish resumes in hopes of obtaining a job. Those of us who are getting older, look at the possibility of retirement looming off on the horizon and watch the stock market to see what it might be doing to our 401Ks. When we were younger, we put money aside for savings, for vacations, for kids’ college.

We Plan And Prepare for a lot of what goes on in our lives. But, there is much we can’t Plan And Prepare for.

The car that won’t start when we really need it to. The roof that gets damaged in a storm. The leak from a pipe that can’t be found easily. The washer or dryer that quits. A sick pet. Sudden illness, and sometimes sudden and unexpected death.

Can’t Plan And Prepare for much of that.

But it seems to me that if we lead quality lives . . . lives filled with joy and love, with giving and sharing, the Planning And Preparation for that final call, that final goal is accomplished along the way. Seems to me that if we lead quality and compassionate and caring lives, the Planning And Preparation comes naturally or at least doesn’t seem insurmountable or impossible. And if along the way we help and lift up those around us, those in our lives, we tend to help each other Plan And Prepare.

Seems to me that’s the way we should live anyway . . . helping not only ourselves, but also those around us, those in our lives. Makes our world, and their world a better place to be. Makes all the Planning And Preparing a little easier in the long run. Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

To My Readers:

Another 5 Star Review for Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy!

“This book was well-written just like the other two before. The characters and dialogue go hand in hand and it was easy to immerse yourself in their journey as the story unveiled. The plot twists and connections among the characters in this novel make you feel emotional connections to them as well. A great conclusion to the story and the trilogy. I suggest you read this when you have a chunk of time on your hands because otherwise, you will be anxious, looking for a chance to finish it.”

Find Splintered Lives, along with the Prequel, Taking Lives, Book One, Stolen Lives, and Book Two, Shattered Lives, on Amazon in both eBook and Paperback versions.

http://www.amazon.com/Splintered-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B017RFXY9Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447079283&sr=1-1&keywords=Splintered+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis

How, How Much

Growing up in rural Wisconsin as a kid, we had an old green, beat up Plymouth station wagon. Kinda, sorta beat up. The harsh Wisconsin winters were not a friend to it, leaving the poor old car with rust spots here and there, especially around the wheel wells and doors.

We didn’t have cellphones or portable video devices. Back then hardly anyone listened to FM, so our only option would be to listen to an AM channel with static and white noise. As we traveled, the signal would fade in and out and force us to find a new station to listen to. Together with mom and dad and at least six or seven of us in the car at any one time, finding something we could all agree on was difficult.

At some point in time, our radio died. Just went. Gone. Old, I guess, just like the rusting green car that was its, and our, carriage for so many years.

The loss of the radio forced us to have conversation. But mostly, what I remember is that we’d sing. Three and four part harmony. The young ones sang the high and very high notes, while the older ones and mom and dad sang the lower notes. Because we didn’t have sheet music to lean on, and because none us could read music anyway until later in life, all the songs were by rote and all the harmony was by ear. And Lord help us if we hit a wrong note! You had better get it right the first time or you heard about it or were on the receiving end of a sharp elbow!

I can’t tell you how many trips we took but there were a lot of them. And because of those trips, there were a lot of songs. As I write this, there are several that come to mind and I even remember my part. Can’t hit some of those high notes any longer. No way!

Great memories and great times! I think it made our family tighter and closer.

We’ve lost that as time went on. Not only my family, but all of us.

Cell phones and earbuds. IPads and tablets. Cars with Wi-Fi. Are there any cars out there without AM and FM and satellite radios and CD players? Are there any worth buying?

I think our society has placed a growing emphasis on How Much.

Bigger is better, unless you’re talking about your stomach or your hips or your butt. Bigger houses and bigger cars. Bigger shoe collections and bigger closets to fit a bigger wardrobe. Bigger TVs and bigger stereo systems. It seems that we measure success by How Much one has.

Rather than How.

I think How is a better question to ask. I think How is a better measuring stick for one’s life.

How did you treat your children today? How did you treat your husband, your wife, your mother, your father? How did you treat the kids we teach or the people we work with? How many kind, considerate, and compassionate words did you give away? How many times did you embrace someone, smile at someone? How many times did you take the time to stop and listen to someone in need, someone who needed help? How many times did you reach out to lift someone up?

When it’s all said and done, at the end of time, I think we’ll be measured by the How in our lives rather than How Much. I think the better, more worthwhile measuring stick for all of us is How rather than How Much. Better for all of us, for each of us. Better for the world. Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

For My Readers:

A Thriller-Mystery Series To Begin The New Year!

A Review From An Enthusiastic Reader:

“These are some of the most amazing books I have ever read. I'm working on the last one now and have been waiting ever so impatiently for it to come out lol I started with the prequel and the other ones were out already, with the exception of the last one, which is now. From that book I went straight to downloading the rest of them and read them back to back. I couldn't put it down. If you are someone who likes to read I highly recommend these books!” All books available in ebook and paperback on Amazon, free with Kindle Unlimited.

Book Three, Splintered Lives:

A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many there are? Or when they might come for him? http://www.amazon.com/Splintered-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B017RFXY9Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447079283&sr=1-1&keywords=Splintered+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis  

Book One, Stolen Lives:

Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents has 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead!

http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00PKKN6W4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415927661&sr=1-1&keywords=stolen+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis  

Book Two, Shattered Lives:

Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them.

http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00UZRP828/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426952407&sr=1-3&keywords=Shattered+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis  

In Harm's Way

Growing up in the Midwest, I remember the first snowfall and the first real accumulation of snow. Out would come the snow pants, the heavy woolen socks, the stocking hat pulled snuggily over the ears. Then we’d don the boots- with buckles, no less- pull on the heavy warm jacket and mittens, and out the door we’d go. Growing up next to a river, there would be the necessary cautions to “stay off the ice because it isn’t thick enough yet.”

A snowflake on your tongue. Snowball fights. Snow forts.  Igloos and tunnels and snow angels.

After every last bit of energy was spent and after we were more than soaking wet, with cheeks red and lips sometimes cracked, we’d trudge up the back stoop, strip off all the outer gear and hang it up to dry.

Then there was Coco with marshmallows, maybe a graham cracker or two, sometimes with peanut butter.

I’m a lot older now and to be honest, I’m not all that enamored with snow or the cold anymore. That’s the reason we left Wisconsin.  I believe that unless the temperature matches my age, I shouldn’t have to go outside. But I also know that changes in weather, sometimes chilly and sometimes down right cold, happen, so I live with it.  Barely.

Like my parents did so many years ago, and not just with boots and mittens and stocking hats and heavy socks, and like parents and teachers and mentors today, we try to protect our kids from the ice and the cold.  We try to protect our kids from a lot more than that.

We build up our kids, and we help them avoid the potholes and pitfalls that lay in wait. Heck, we know that they’re there. Chances are, we tripped and stumbled and fell because of one or two of them.

Each of us in our own way and as best we can try to strengthen our kids, get them ready for the big ol’ world outside the comfy confines of our homes . . . their homes.  Some are better at it than others.  But I believe each of us does the best we can.

It’s never easy.  Parenting, like teaching, is a tough and rugged contact sport.  WWF has nothing on us!  Nothing.  When it comes to our kids, any kids, I think there isn’t one of us who wouldn’t take a kick to the head before we’d let anyone kick our kids.  I think each of us would put ourselves In Harm’s Way before something would happen to our kids.

And when something does happen to our kids, there is anger and a desire for swift retribution.  What is that old saying about not messing with the cub if you don’t want mama bear after you? 

And then we come to our senses, barely, and we gather up and hold and protect and reassure.  We build back up and reinforce so that the next time . . .

And there always will be a next time.  No matter how we prepare, no matter how we might wish it away, there will always be a next time.

So . . .

Knowing that we can’t protect our kids . . . ourselves . . . for or from every eventuality, we can take solace in the fact that there are guardian angels among us.  Those folks who look out for us and who come to our aid when we need it, when we least expect it, when there is no one else.  There are those guardian angels among us who suddenly and quietly appear by our side, who are with us step by step, and who might not say a word, but will, by their silence and a gentle hand and a willing ear, let us know that we are not alone.

Are you a guardian angel when there is a need?  Or do you leave that to others? Being a guardian angel takes a commitment and it takes courage and it is sometimes messy.  Especially in this season of giving, something to think about . . .

To My Readers:

From An Enthusiastic Reader:

“These are some of the most amazing books I have ever read. I'm working on the last one now and have been waiting ever so impatiently for it to come out. I started with the prequel and the other ones were out already, with the exception of the last one, which is now. From that book, I went straight to downloading the rest of them and read them back to back. I couldn't put it down. If you are someone who likes to read I highly recommend these books!”

Book Three, Splintered Lives:

A 14 year old boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are, how many there are, or when they might come for him? Book Three of the Lives Trilogy, Splintered Lives, is now available in ebook and paperback on Amazon, free on Kindle Unlimited. http://www.amazon.com/Splintered-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B017RFXY9Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447079283&sr=1-1&keywords=Splintered+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis  

Book One, Stolen Lives:

Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents has 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead!

http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00PKKN6W4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415927661&sr=1-1&keywords=stolen+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis  

Book Two, Shattered Lives:

Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them.

http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Lives-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00UZRP828/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426952407&sr=1-3&keywords=Shattered+Lives%2C+Joseph+Lewis  

Prequel, Taking Lives:

FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they live in separate parts of the country, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, and 11 year old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their futures grow dark and dreadful as each search for a way out.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MG2JAWE?ie=UTF8&at=aw-android-pc-us-20&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links