Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

I don't usually post over the weekends; I attempt to take my own advice and take time for myself, as December 24th encourages in The Journey: A Calendar Book, however; tomorrow's reading seemed to jump out at me as I opened The Journey: A Calendar Book to meditate on today's reading, "Remember important dates, whether they're important to you or not".  Which by the way also was very appropriate for the journey on which I am preparing to embark upon even as I write these words, thus is applicable as you read this blog the day before it is actually intended to match up with tomorrow's reading.

From Allen James' The Journey: A Calendar Book,  for August 3rd we read, "Spend as much time as possible with family (friends)" (James, 2012).

Upon completing today's posting and closing my laptop and securing it in its satchel, I embark upon one of the saddest yet necessary legs of my life journey;  I began my road trip to my destination some 300 miles away to attend the memorial service for my lifelong friend, Jamie Ray Dutton; family in the broadest sense of the word.  Throughout our young adult and into our adult years he addressed me as "Brother from another mother" at the inception of every phone call and face to face visit.  We truly shared a bond few take advantage of during their time on this globe.

For our 50th birthday gifts to ourselves, a few of my childhood friends went on a cruise up the Alaskan Inside Passage.  What great times were had....what wonderful memories were recalled, and made on this once in a lifetime trip.  These special times with friends and family are indeed a necessity to build within us what it takes to be personally successful, for times such as these, time spent with those we love and hold dear in every way, are the very successes about which I speak when talking of personal success.  As we all know all too well, these loved ones, these we hold dear in every way, may not be here beyond this moment. Certainly tomorrow's event will become applicable to today's reading, "Remember important dates, whether they're important to you or not", for me following it; for although I may not always remember the day of my friend's memorial services, certainly it will be an important date to remember for his son, his grandchildren, his family.

In times such as this, today and tomorrow's reading reverberates clearly.  I grew up in a small town in Western Kentucky, very small.  With our graduating class being only 33 students, you can rest assured we were a tight group.  Jamie Dutton worked diligently to maintain contact with as many close friends through the years as he could.  Thankfully I was blessed to be one of those.

I feel fortunate to have been able to reach out to him, and others as well, in their time of extended need; and am as fortunate others have reached out to me in my times of need.  There is no regret for us when we live a personal life with those we love and have spent a lifetime caring about.  There is much regret when we do not.

Throughout this weekend I will have numerous opportunities to spend time with family and childhood friends; will I take those opportunities or will I draw into myself, feeding our human instinct to close ourselves off when faced with grief?  Regardless my intentions at this moment, time will tell as I draw closer and closer to the actual moment of these opportunities.  I'll let you know in our August 4th reading, upon returning from this "journey"...this bump in the road on my way to personal success.  These readings are those which I've found to be catalyst to personal success.  Strength comes from within to accomplish these readings.  Again, if I follow my own words, I'll do as December 30th urges and "Practice what you preach...walk the walk, don't just talk the talk" (James, 2012).

Spend as much time as possible with family (friends).  My wish for you is to live a life with few regrets and even fewer losses.

Rest in peace Jamie, and "May flights of angels sing thee to they rest" (Shakespeare).

Keep looking up.  : )  AJ