Raoul’s 2 Cents
Dad
When my Dad came to town my schedule went out the window. He believes these are his last years and he’s come to see his children, grand children and great grandchildren for the last time.
He’s staying with my sister who lives 50 miles away. So I drive through LA traffic and it takes me an hour and a half to get there. If you know me, I have a phobia for traffic so I try to go there after the morning rush and leave right before the evening rush. Like a vampire avoiding direct sunlight, I try to accomplish my tasks with him within the confines of the traffic hours. When I get back home, that’s when I get to do my day job.
For the moment, I am getting all his tech stuff ready before he returns home. I already fixed his iPad and returned his laptop that he couldn’t get to work properly. I helped him with his bank account. I already bought him a walker, earphones, and I plan to load some practical apps.
There was a time long ago when he was my role model. My early fond memories with him was walking to the doctor everyday for over a week to get tetanus shots after a dog had bit me. He would bring me and my bother to the barber shop where I saw him behave differently with “the guys.” He was always driving the family to school, to vacation spots, to family gatherings and special occasions. He wasn’t much of a talker … more of a shrewd businessman. He worked hard, was good in business, dedicated his life to my grandfather’s business at the expense of his own family. He had his faults … to some people he had lots of them and he definitely has enemies. But you know what? He’s still my Dad and I love him.
Dad’s hard of hearing, hard of seeing and hard of walking. At times I catch myself staring at him and wondering if I’m looking at my future self. Will my kids see me any differently? Will they know how much I love them? Will my ears and my eyesight fade as well? I’d like to, but it’s hard to have a meaningful conversation with him now. If I could, I’d like to know how he really feels about facing death and what will happen to him after that. Sadly, he and I do not share the same faith. He has been in my prayers forever. I wish my Dad a lot of things but there is one thing above everything else.
A song from Scott Wesley Brown
I could wish you joy and peace
To last a whole life long,
I could wish you sunshine,
Or a cheerful little song,
Or wish you all the happiness
That this life could bring
But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
More than anything.
I have a good relationship with my Dad and for that I am thankful. How are you and your Dad? Is he still around? Does he know how you feel about him … good or bad? Whoever your Dad is to you, realize one thing: out of all the possible Dads, God gave him to you. There must have been a reason, don’t you think?
TGIF people!
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Ernie of Fresno, CA for sending this joke.
Video of the Week
Another Flight Steward Gone Viral
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.
66 Year Old Body Builder Receives a Special Present
A tearjerker video. Get out your tissues!
Don’s Puns
From Don’s collection of puns
Parting Shot
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA who shared this.
People from all over the world send him jokes and Raoul sends those jokes back with his original sketches. 
Ed
August 16, 2019 at 9:57 am
Thanks for this, Raoul –
The piece about your dad was profoundly moving.
It’s already made my day.
I hope the rest of your time with him goes well; and that there’s still joy and excitement spending precious hours with him.
Your friend,
Ed
Rick
August 16, 2019 at 9:59 am
Hi Bro!
Thinking of and praying for your dad in his elderly years. I am glad he is visiting the family and making the best of his time.
Please give him my best and may God continue to bless him.
Thanks for the TGIF and have a good week.
Rick
Chuck
August 16, 2019 at 10:00 am
Thanks Bro,
Very touching video – and learned some thing. Sun glass correction for colored blindness! We know a few friends that are colorblind, I will make sure they know about this if they don’t already know. I can only imagine how ‘blah’ this would be in black and white.
Regarding your dear Dad. The most important thing is pray for him to ‘see’, then to be the best son for him and then, to be the Best most loving Faith Based Dad God will grant you the ability to be for your Kids, family and friends. I am so blessed, my Dad was just one of those men. A very special Dad. Was he perfect? No, but he loved Jesus and all of us. Were we perfect? NO, but he still loved us! He was an incredible person and my example to this day, some 10 years after his passing. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t have a sweet thought about him and his faith, and good sense of humor and reality. His faith was the kind of faith, much like yours my brother, that has feet. He and my Mom were always helping others. God has blessed me with knowing you too amigo.
Love and blessings,
Brother Chuck
Heather
August 16, 2019 at 10:01 am
Laughing out load for the flight attendant speech! Let me know when you’re going to come back on the Monday morning thing. I’m not going until then. Enjoy your trip!
Tom
August 16, 2019 at 10:01 am
Great issue brought a few tears remembering my Dad. Thanks and I wish you and Him JESUS. TOM
Raoul
August 16, 2019 at 10:02 am
Thanks Tom.
Sounds like you had a good relationship with your Dad. You must have
precious memories working with him in your store. How many were you in
the family?
So far, it’s the guys who this article resonates with.
TGIF!
Tom
August 16, 2019 at 10:02 am
5 brothers and one sister and my grandma from Ireland spent a lot of time and influence, my Dad was from a Family of 13 whose Dad died when he was 11. All the kids went to work to support his Family and he got a job on. A Glouster Two masted schoone fishing for Cod in the Atlantic Grand Banks.
Coping with the depression and Bank Failures he was a good Business Man and bought Real Estate when it was less expensive
He had a fourth Grade education and with drive and determination amazed 40 rental properties which I Managed and repaired.
I treasure my Memory of him and My Mom. Thanks for asking.
Raoul
September 18, 2019 at 1:34 pm
What a colorful family history. You should write a book for the future
generation. Makes you wonder if times were better then than now. We have
more technology and free time but were they happier then? Work helps
define us but it is relationships (the way we treat our fellow man)
which proves our connection with God.