I'm Just Sayin by Alan P. Scaglione

“Old Glory- Forever Fly Free For You and Me!”

   “I’m Just Sayin’”

        by Alan P. Scaglione

May we never forget the sacrifices made to protect our freedom! Those who have fought bravely in past wars and have protected our borders and kept us safe at night, we salute them and pause to say “thank you!”

Memorial Day is not just the official kick off to summer or the first holiday most of us have since New Year’s. It’s not our first 3 day weekend to get away from work and go to the beach. It’s not a time to forget the cares of everyday life and go on an excursion, a long weekend camping or driving or …

It’s not a time to forget—It’s a time to remember!

Who served this country bravely, giving their most valued gift—their life!

And it’s not just about our fallen heroes, those we have lost in battle.

It’s also about our everyday heroes we work with, live in the same neighborhood with, go to church with…even have in our family!

Those who still wear their badge of service proudly- whether marine, army, navy, coast guard—they proudly say they were honored to serve!

We’ve had several wars and conflicts. We even pause to remember those who served us well on 9/11/01.

My father served in WWII – he was Eisenhower’s personal baker during the war. He also was in on the Normandy Invasion.

My sister-in-law Kay’s stepfather Curt served his country proudly—and he would recount his stories of service whenever he saw a flag waving in the wind.

So who do you know who served our country proudly? Who can you honor today by remembering and saluting their sacrifice and service?

Instead of forgetting our cares, why not remember those who cared?

To do an ordinary thing extraordinarily well—that’s the definition of excellence!

And any service person you ask will tell you, they didn’t do anything special, they just did what they were asked to do…for their country!

And they were honored to offer their life in return for our freedom.

The Word says “Greater Love hath no man(or woman) than to lay down his life(or be willing to) for his brother!” John 15:13

It’s not just those we lost that we remember this weekend—we salute our fallen heroes, from Iraq to Afghanistan to VietNam to Gulf War to WWII!

But today, if there’s someone who is still with us who we know served our country with their life—let’s celebrate their bravery!

Salute a U.S. service personnel – thank them for serving – let them know their past sacrifice is still appreciated today!

May we never forget—we wake up free because they kept watch at night!

Please join me in reciting our Pledge:

I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation UNDER GOD, indivisible..

With Liberty and Justice for ALL!

Today AND everyday—I am proud to be an American!

So this weekend—Let us Remember on Memorial Day- the sacrifices made so willingly to protect the freedom we often take for granted!

We Salute our United States Service men and women- Thank you for protecting our lives and our freedom!

You have done an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way- Excellent Job well done!

Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

I'm Just Sayin by Alan P. Scaglione

“Old Glory- Forever Fly Free For You and Me!”

 

 

“I’m Just Sayin"

by Alan P. Scaglione

May we never forget the sacrifices made to protect our freedom! Those who have fought bravely in past wars and have protected our borders and kept us safe at night, we salute them and pause to say “thank you!”

Memorial Day is not just the official kick off to summer or the first holiday most of us have since New Year’s. It’s not our first 3 day weekend to get away from work and go to the beach. It’s not a time to forget the cares of everyday life and go on an excursion, a long weekend camping or driving or …

It’s not a time to forget—It’s a time to remember!

Who served this country bravely, giving their most valued gift—their life!

And it’s not just about our fallen heroes, those we have lost in battle.

It’s also about our everyday heroes we work with, live in the same neighborhood with, go to church with…even have in our family!

Those who still wear their badge of service proudly- whether marine, army, navy, coast guard—they proudly say they were honored to serve!

We’ve had several wars and conflicts. We even pause to remember those who served us well on 9/11/01.

My father served in WWII – he was Eisenhower’s personal baker during the war. He also was in on the Normandy Invasion.

My sister-in-law Kay’s stepfather Curt served his country proudly—and he would recount his stories of service whenever he saw a flag waving in the wind.

So who do you know who served our country proudly? Who can you honor today by remembering and saluting their sacrifice and service?

Instead of forgetting our cares, why not remember those who cared?

To do an ordinary thing extraordinarily well—that’s the definition of excellence!

And any service person you ask will tell you, they didn’t do anything special, they just did what they were asked to do…for their country!

And they were honored to offer their life in return for our freedom.

The Word says “Greater Love hath no man(or woman) than to lay down his life(or be willing to) for his brother!” John 15:13

It’s not just those we lost that we remember this weekend—we salute our fallen heroes, from Iraq to Afghanistan to VietNam to Gulf War to WWII!

But today, if there’s someone who is still with us who we know served our country with their life—let’s celebrate their bravery!

Salute a U.S. service personnel – thank them for serving – let them know their past sacrifice is still appreciated today!

May we never forget—we wake up free because they kept watch at night!

Please join me in reciting our Pledge:

I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation UNDER GOD, indivisible..

With Liberty and Justice for ALL!

Today AND everyday—I am proud to be an American!

So this weekend—Let us Remember on Memorial Day- the sacrifices made so willingly to protect the freedom we often take for granted!

We Salute our United States Service men and women- Thank you for protecting our lives and our freedom!

You have done an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way- Excellent Job well done!

Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

 

Ha

Points2Ponder By Alan P. Scaglione

“Jett’s Chocoface-grinning ear to ear!”

So my grandson Jett turned 2 this past weekend. Everyone had a great time at his party. Nano’s present was Jett’s chair buddy. A life size Buzz Lightyear! It’s the same size as Jett. Unfortunately, Jett was not as impressed with it as his Thomas The Train bathtub toys or his miniature real golf clubs that his other grandfather gave him. Competition at a two year old’s birthday party— who knew Buzz could be trumped by golf clubs? Apparently, this “other” grandfather knew! LOL! Live and learn-next year, a new car!

Nana and Nano got to spend the whole day with Jett Monday. We played hookie from work and just did whatever Jett wanted, and apparently, he wanted doughnuts!

Jett and I walk his Dad out to the car, we both wave bye-bye.

I look at Jett and say, “You ready for breakfast? What would you like?”

His mom had told us he has been eating eggs everyday and just loves them. Nana was ready to make him some eggs and toast.

So I said, “JJ, what do you want for breakfast?”

He looks me straight in the eyes and says, “DOUGHNUTS!”

I was taken aback. Doughnuts? His mom said he was eating eggs everyday and just loved them?

“Jett, you want eggs and toast”

“Doughnuts!”

What’s a grandfather to do? His mom said eggs. So, I knew what we had to do.

Jett and Nano headed to Dunkin Donuts! Just the two of us. Opened the door and told Nana, “Jett wants a doughnut—be back in a minute!”

He was in his PJs when we walked in. He saw all the doughnuts and said, “Mnm! MnM!” there was a chocolate covered doughnut with MnM’s on it.

“One MnM chocolate covered doughnut please! And can we get a chocolate milk also?”

Jett was elated. He and his Nano sat down and had breakfast, just the two of us. Chocolate all over his face, with a choco smile, grinning ear to ear.

We played with: looking thru the doughnut hole; putting the napkin on Nano’s head; and the eternally funny “Where’s Nano? Game!”

Like I could hide behind a doughnut, a napkin or a chair—he laughed every time!

Did I mention the “alien with 3 eyes hat” that I had apparently forgotten to take off. Hmmm? Had walked in with it on.

Wondered why they were staring? Guess it wasn’t just Jett and his contagious laugh!

We laughed and giggled and even snorted chocolate milk out of our nose.

 Okay—so Jett did that. I just laughed my head off. Playing hookie never felt so good!

Guess Jett had been waiting for that doughnut—he just knew who to ask!

POINTS2PONDER  Why is it kids know intuitively just who to ask for what they want—

they wait and ask the one person who will get it for them!

So, Jett and I walk in an hour later, and Nana says, “I thought you were doing thru drive-thru? What took you so long?”

I told her, “Jett wanted to go in and eat!”

She said, “Jett wanted to? A two year old asked to go into Dunkin Donuts and have breakfast? Sure he did!”

I replied, “He asked for a doughnut, didn’t he?”

I'm Just Sayin by Alan P. Scaglione

“Boy meets Buzz! Look at that Face!-Priceless!”

 "I’m Just Sayin’”

  by Alan P. Scaglione

“So Buzz, I can’t believe you’re really here! You should be flying somewhere—to infinity and beyond! I love you, Buzz, better than Woody. You’re my favorite…you’re my hero! Don’t tell Woody, but…come on—YOU CAN FLY! Can you teach ME to fly, please? PLEASE BUZZ”

I know, I know…but, when I look at this picture of my grandson Jett, who just turned 2 years old on Saturday, I see it in his look, his stare, his shy little face, gazing into his hero’s eyes: he believes he is sitting next to his superhero!

 I can just imagine him talking to Buzz Lightyear…because he believes! Jett believes he exists…he has faith that Buzz is Alive-

 Jett is sitting right there--next to him!

That childlike faith that makes all of our childhood cartoon characters come alive.

It was Batman for me—BIF! POW! BAM! I was glued to our TV every Tuesday and Thursday nights. I couldn’t wait to see Batman! I loved his batmobile, his batcycle, and that BATCave…I JUST had to get to that batcave! And yes, we all had a cape!

Most of all, I liked that he could handle whatever came his way—He had the right answer for whatever came up—He always knew what to do!

I believed Batman was real. I believed he could do super human things… that’s what made him my superhero!

And it didn’t matter who the guest villain was: Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman or my favorite, The Joker!

Each time, Batman found a way to beat the villain, put him in jail, always rescue the captured.

 And he never let me down-never ever doubted it!

Who was your Superhero?

—Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Aquaman—maybe even TeenAge Mutant Ninja Turtles?

We believe in our Superheroes.

Why? Because they can do what we can’t, fix what needs fixing, do the impossible…and we believe in their powers!

And all it took was: childlike faith!

The Bible talks about coming to the Father like a child, with a faith that believes whatever they are told—to believe without question.(Matt.19:14)

And that’s the kind of faith that impresses God—belief without question.

That’s how Jett looks at Buzz Lightyear- he believes Buzz can do anything- to infinity and beyond! Jett believes in Buzz!

You see it in his face—look at that picture! Jett believes he is sitting right beside his superhero—He is sitting next to Buzz Lightyear—

Who cares that they are both sitting in a Target Shopping CART!

See Jett’s faith in Buzz? his childlike faith…”simply believing”--that Buzz can fix whatever needs fixing and-- do some pretty cool stuff!

When’s the last time we “simply believed” in someone like that?

To know that we can trust that: they will not let us down, they will rescue us when we are in trouble, they will protect us from evil.

And all we have to do is call out their name, and they’ll be right there, in an instant, for us…to rescue us!

And about that “pretty cool stuff” thing? water into wine, raising the dead, the blind see, the deaf hear…

Hmmm??

I think I actually know someone like that…

The only Superhero who really can take us to Infinity and beyond!

Makes me wonder, can you even imagine?

What’s it gonna be like when Jett meets Jesus?

 

Until next time,

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”