neil

Now is a time that those who are struggling with Grandparents Rights issues are on level ground with most other Grandparents. Due to this Covid 19 dilemma very few Grandparents get to spend any time with their Grandkids for their family’s and our safety as well. When I was a Youth minister at our church I had a saying that the kids heard regularly. It goes like this; “So sad, Too bad, So what, Now what.” Let me dissect that […]

When my Grandkids say something is really hard I listen to them for a while and eventually I find a way to convey the following.Staples Office Supply did us a gross injustice when they ran the add for their “EASY BUTTON” advertising campaign. It has been my experience that in life there may be an (easy way out button) but when it comes to doing and being anything significant there is no Easy Button. Almost by definition easy and significant […]

The picture in this post is my granddaughter at a few months old, who by the way, went out practicing driving with her new drives permit the other day. Yes that is also the same beauty at about 3 years old that I am holding in my profile picture. Are you beginning to sense a theme here. She has Grandpa Neil’s heart in her hand. She is an accomplished actress and when I see her on stage playing a 30 […]

Sunrise is a place to begin each day, What an appropriate photo for this article from right here near my home in Eastern North Carolina.I write these articles to share the wisdom of the ages as well as highlight the knowledge of the credible helpers of our time. Many of those knowledgeable folks are concerned about the amount and tone of what our youth are currently hearing and internalizing. I feel it is our duty as influential and caring adults to […]

When my kids were about 4 and 5 we had a long term house guest that was a friend of my sister’s (Living in South Florida this happen a lot) As Thanksgiving approached Pat (our guest) ask if there was a way we could reach out to our community and see if we could serve someone that may benefit from Family at this time of year. Long story short she reached out to the local Children’s Mental Health facility. Think […]

I have so many friends and fellow Grandparents that have sooooooo much Love and concern for their Grandkids but just don;t get around to saying it.I hear lots of them say that they are waiting for the perfect time. I am reminded of a quote by Margeret Atwood who said “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word”. This from a lady who is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, inventor, teacher, and environmental activist. Since […]

In my 7th decade I have developed some seemingly strange things I do but they are not without purpose. While I know I have been able to meaningfully connect with hundreds of little ones over the years with my patented “Upside down hug”. (Let me explain; One of my kids at the gym or in the family would run full blast at me and I would grab them, turn them upside down and shake the lunch out of them all […]

Many years ago I was dialed into an inspirational teacher by the name of Earl Nightengale. He told a story about a friend that complained that all this new fangdangled stuff was hard to learn. He was saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. This was 40 years ago, I have to wonder what he would be saying now with the rapid rate of change.What is most important is the response that Mr. Nightengale gave the man. […]

James Allen, the noted British philosophical writer was known for many useful inspirational quotes; “Ask as If”, “Right thought is mastery., “Circumstances do not make the man/woman, they reveal him/her”.We are taught to take command and change the things we can control. During these unique times it is our duty and privilege to be role models for those we Love. What more influential and noble act can we perform than to find Hope in these times and share that Hope […]