A Visit to Hyannis

Thought I would add that I went to Hyannis port in Cape Cod too. The Kennedy Compound is here and the JFK Memorial and JFK Museum are there too. It was a great day. I can see why the Kennedys like this area too. This museum spotlights Kennedy's life on the Cape before and during the presidency.

My favorite picture of President Kennedy is one that was at the museum: he and Caroline. "Daddy's Girl" riding with him in the car.

There is also the JFK Memorial (with the fountain). It's down the road from the museum, along the water. I understand that Jackie Kennedy wanted it here because of how much the President liked to live on the water.

There is a picture of a statue they called "What Could Have Been". It is an updated possibility for the museum entrance, with the addition of JFK Jr who is walking alongside dad. We can only imagine what could be if neither one had lost their lives earlier than necessary.

Lighthouse Visitations

I have not posted in a while. Things have been pretty busy here. Our regular schedule started back up with the church - Sunday school is back, Charley is back from vacation, youth fellowship is about to start, and choir has come back. Now that all of that is back, I get to have a vacation too. So here I am.

OK - so I am on vacation this week. It has been a BEAUTIFUL week up here. Today - it actually got to 93 degrees. Not sure where that came from. Although I hear it is going to rain and storm tomorrow. I guess that is good because I am not traveling anywhere. I did most of my traveling earlier. On Monday, I went up to Portland, Maine to visit several lighthouses - including the most photographed one, Portland Head Light. Then on Tuesday, I went the opposite direction and spent the day on Cape Cod. Guess what? There are lighthouses there too!!!!

As many of you know, I have a stronghold with lighthouses. This was a nice retreat for me. Lighthouses famous and unknown; tall and short; skinny and fat; working and private residence - they all exist. To me, they are just as important to me as they were when they worked. They did such an important job in guiding captains and their crews. Each lighthouse is designed differently, from their painted display to their beacon signal. You will see a picture of Three Sisters - three small lighthouses at the midpoint of Cape Cod - from sea, you saw three lights right in a row. That told the captain that he was midway up the Cape Cod Coast.

Each one precisely thought out and designed to guide those who follow. I always say this, but can you imagine the parallels between lighthouses and living a life with God as the designer of our own lighthouses? It is obvious the design of the greatest lighthouse in sending Jesus to guide us down the path of life. But God also sends us lighthouses that guide us in more physical ways - teachers, families, friends, professors, mentors, ministers, and colleagues. Each one designed with such precision that every lighthouse in my life has been placed in just the right spot to guide me where I am supposed to go. Even when I don't want to admit it, God is so good about placing those beacons right when I need them and where I need them.

Enjoy the pictures and find the beacon that lights your path.

RIP Firefighters

Two Boston firefighters were killed and at least 12 others were injured Wednesday night as flames rushed through a restaurant in West Roxbury, collapsing the roof and trapping crews inside, public safety officials said. The two veteran firefighters who died, Paul J. Cahill, 55, of Scituate and Warren J. Payne, 53, of Canton, were identified by the officials and a firefighter on the scene. They were the first deaths of firefighters in a fire since 1994. from www.boston.com

Wow - to see firefighters come together when they have lost their brothers. The flags are half staff. Firefighters from around the country came to be a part of the memorial services. A son spoke at Paul Cahill's service and his dad was so proud of him. His commonwealth was so proud. His brothers were proud.

Why am I talking about this? My brother is a firefighter. He has been one for a LONG time. :-). He received an award of honor for his work during the Hurricane Isabel of 2003. He wasn't the only one, but he was one. After 9/11, I wondered about my brother and how his family would be supported if anything happened. After the incident in Boston, I wonder the same thing. No matter what, they won't get what they deserve, at least financially. Just like teachers, they don't get what they deserve - but that is for another post.

But what I have learned is how they will be supported in other ways. What they will get, something teachers in my experience don't seem to provide, what the firefighters will get is a camaraderie and brotherhood that can never be broken. Thank you for serving us and taking care of us. Maybe one day we can all learn from your bond.

Sept 4

Happy Birthday Dad. Miss you.

Cemetery visit