Friday, December 21, 2007
Angels Watching Over Me....
Yesterday I received a Christmas card from a man I've had the honor to get to know as a result of my work at Xavier University. Roger Grein is a local businessman and philanthropist. He is one of the most generous and giving persons I've ever met. He has a truly amazing and inspiring story and over the past few years he has become a great friend.
Enclosed in his Christmas card was a column he recently wrote for The Catholic Telegraph. In the column he talks about his life and how angels have always been there for him, especially at times of great need. The final few lines of the column reads...'But I'm under no illusion I succeeded on my merits alone. The wings of angels lifted me. You're one of those angels. And so am I.' In the clipping he sent to me, Roger highlighted the line...'You're one of those angels.' This touched me a great deal. I consider myself blessed to know Roger and I'm humbled that he considers me an angel in his life.
At the same time, Roger reminds me that I also need to give thanks where thanks are due. These past couple years have seen numerous ups and downs. There have been many scary and sometimes lonely moments. But Roger reminds me that I truly never was on this journey alone; I've made it to where I am thanks to the angels in my life. Chances are if you're reading this you're one of my angels, and I thank you for being there.
Following is a link to Roger's column. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season.
Vince
http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=369&Itemid=823
Enclosed in his Christmas card was a column he recently wrote for The Catholic Telegraph. In the column he talks about his life and how angels have always been there for him, especially at times of great need. The final few lines of the column reads...'But I'm under no illusion I succeeded on my merits alone. The wings of angels lifted me. You're one of those angels. And so am I.' In the clipping he sent to me, Roger highlighted the line...'You're one of those angels.' This touched me a great deal. I consider myself blessed to know Roger and I'm humbled that he considers me an angel in his life.
At the same time, Roger reminds me that I also need to give thanks where thanks are due. These past couple years have seen numerous ups and downs. There have been many scary and sometimes lonely moments. But Roger reminds me that I truly never was on this journey alone; I've made it to where I am thanks to the angels in my life. Chances are if you're reading this you're one of my angels, and I thank you for being there.
Following is a link to Roger's column. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season.
Vince
http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=369&Itemid=823
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
December 17, 2007....
I just wanted to update everyone on my doctor's visit yesterday...the scans looked great; everything has remained stable and a couple of the nodes that were a bit larger due to scarring also continue to shrink. My blood work came back fine and there were no problems receiving my Rituxin treatment. So I'm good for another 3 months! Dr. Lemming said I'll probably have a few more treatments and then they'll cut them off and see how I do. He says I'm getting boring to look at and that's a good thing. My next scans will take place sometime in June.
Yesterday was also an anniversary of sorts for Julie and me. It was 24 years ago, December 17, 1983, that we made our first date. We were working together at the Cork N' Cleaver Restaurant in Dayton, Ohio and December 17 was her last day of employment; she had received a promotion at NCR and no longer had to work a second job. So that night was our employee Christmas party and she stuck around for the party. I took the time to congratulate her on her promotion and the next thing you knew, we were making a date. A few days later, December 22, we went to see 'Terms of Endearment' and the rest is history. I have no idea if we would have ever seen each other again had we not talked the night of the party - I've always felt it was meant to be! It's been a wonderful 24 years; we have three beautiful children and thousands of special memories and it all started innocently enough, making small talk at a Christmas party. I doubt either one of us in our wildest dreams felt we were talking to our future husband and wife; it just kind of happened and it has been the greatest 24 years of my life. (I hope Julie would say the same thing!)
I wish you all a blessed Christmas season...I know with the news from yesterday, ours will be a lot more relaxed. Thanks for your continued support....God's peace and our love to you all.
Yesterday was also an anniversary of sorts for Julie and me. It was 24 years ago, December 17, 1983, that we made our first date. We were working together at the Cork N' Cleaver Restaurant in Dayton, Ohio and December 17 was her last day of employment; she had received a promotion at NCR and no longer had to work a second job. So that night was our employee Christmas party and she stuck around for the party. I took the time to congratulate her on her promotion and the next thing you knew, we were making a date. A few days later, December 22, we went to see 'Terms of Endearment' and the rest is history. I have no idea if we would have ever seen each other again had we not talked the night of the party - I've always felt it was meant to be! It's been a wonderful 24 years; we have three beautiful children and thousands of special memories and it all started innocently enough, making small talk at a Christmas party. I doubt either one of us in our wildest dreams felt we were talking to our future husband and wife; it just kind of happened and it has been the greatest 24 years of my life. (I hope Julie would say the same thing!)
I wish you all a blessed Christmas season...I know with the news from yesterday, ours will be a lot more relaxed. Thanks for your continued support....God's peace and our love to you all.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
We need tickets....again!
I forgot to mention in my earlier post that we are talking about heading down to New Orleans for the Buckeye's National Championship game but currently have no tickets. (Ain't that a surprise). If anyone knows of any ticket bargains, please let me know!
Go Bucks!!!
Go Bucks!!!
Vivvy update....
The past month has been quite a ride for Julie's mom, Viv Riestenberg, but yesterday she returned to her condo on Bridgetown Road. She's feeling a lot better and hopefully has her recent health issues behind her. I'll tell you, she is an amazing lady and quite a fighter. So we're looking forward to Christmas and it looks like we'll be able to celebrate the holiday on Christmas eve at Viv's place.
On Monday, December 17, I have an appointment with Dr. Lemming. They took CT scans on Monday and I'll be getting another round of Rituxin during my visit. I always get a little nervous in the days leading up to my appointments. Hopefully everything will check out and we'll be good for another 3 months. I'll be sure to update everyone next week.
Big night tonight as the Muskies take on UC...I predict a 15+ points win for Xavier.
I finally got myself a bike. Too bad it's too cold to go out and ride. I'm sure I'll get plenty of time in on the bike between now and the 100 mile ride I'm planning to do in Lake Tahoe on June 1. I'll obviously have more about this as we get closer to June.
Other than that, there's not much more to report. Judd will be home from UD on Friday, it will be interesting to see how he did his first semester. Aaron was recently hired by Wendy's, this will mark the 5th job he's had in his short working career. In contrast, since graduating from Ohio State in 1980, I've had 6 jobs...Aaron may top that by the time he's 18. And Abbey is doing great at Mount Notre Dame, she's even getting better at answering that 6:30 wake-up call.
I'll post next week...wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Vince
On Monday, December 17, I have an appointment with Dr. Lemming. They took CT scans on Monday and I'll be getting another round of Rituxin during my visit. I always get a little nervous in the days leading up to my appointments. Hopefully everything will check out and we'll be good for another 3 months. I'll be sure to update everyone next week.
Big night tonight as the Muskies take on UC...I predict a 15+ points win for Xavier.
I finally got myself a bike. Too bad it's too cold to go out and ride. I'm sure I'll get plenty of time in on the bike between now and the 100 mile ride I'm planning to do in Lake Tahoe on June 1. I'll obviously have more about this as we get closer to June.
Other than that, there's not much more to report. Judd will be home from UD on Friday, it will be interesting to see how he did his first semester. Aaron was recently hired by Wendy's, this will mark the 5th job he's had in his short working career. In contrast, since graduating from Ohio State in 1980, I've had 6 jobs...Aaron may top that by the time he's 18. And Abbey is doing great at Mount Notre Dame, she's even getting better at answering that 6:30 wake-up call.
I'll post next week...wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Vince
