I'm Just Sayin

"Nano and his favorite Little Buddy JettJett!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

What’s in a name, anyway?

Apparently, a lot!

My grandson Jett has more grandparents than anyone I know.

I guess it’s the millennium way of life.

All the original parents did NOT stay together and went on to other relationships.

So…the original four somehow became the SuperEight!

And that doesn’t include his great grandparents either!

So, for a 3 year old, he has a lot of names to remember.

And, as is the case in his life, they all have different names.

There’s Papa and Nana(sounds like banana!)

There’s Grandpa and Granny

And Mimi and Jeff(not sure why?)

And Nano and Nana(sounds like NawNaw!)

And apparently, he has learned the names of all of this other grandparents, not the grandparent name, but the real name!

His mom was testing him and said “What’s Papa’s name?”

And he answered.

“What’s Nana(banana)’s name?”

He knew that one too.

She went through all of the others, and one by one, this 3 year old knew the real name of each of them.

I asked him “What’s my name?”

He responded “Nano!”

I said, “But, what’s my real name?”

He looked at his mom, and he looked at me, and he thought for a minute and then “I don’t know!”

He only knew me by Nano.

I told him “That’s okay—I’m always your Nano!”

And we left it at that.

But I wondered why didn’t he know my name?

The next time we got to be together was our Rainy Saturday Playdate.

While we were playing, I asked Jett “What’s my name?”

He said wholeheartedly “Nano!”

I smiled… then I said, “but what’s my real name?”

His mom wasn’t there to look for, and his Dad was in the other room.

He looked away and then shrugged his shoulders.

I told him “Jett, my real name is Alan! Can you say Alan?”

He looked at me for a moment, and you could tell he was processing what I had just said.

And then he said the most wonderful thing I have ever heard in my life.

Jett said, “Your name Alwin!”

And he smiled ear to ear!

And I just laughed and said, “Yes J, my name Alwin!”

And he retorted, “My name not J – my name Jett!”

Apparently, Jett does NOT want to be called “J” – his name is Jett!

The importance of a name and knowing who you are calling what—and how they will respond!

Just made me think about the name that is above all names!

And you know—when you are referring to JESUS the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Versus jesus Martinez, the guy you work with.

See…the two names are spelled the same…but you just pronounce them differently—one has the Power in the Name!

The Word says in Philipeans 2: 9-11

⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We know when a crisis hits, when sickness falls, when tragedy strikes, it’s NOT jesus Martinez we call on—NO, it’s JESUS, Lord and Savior!

That’s the name that is uniquely set aside for the one who can make all things better, the one who has the answer for our problems.

His name is JESUS!

So…when you hear HIS name, there is no disputing who you are referring to, who you are calling on, who you are asking for.

Some names—you just know exactly who they are talking about.

No confusion, no speculation, no misunderstanding.

Just like “Alwin!”

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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"Rain, Rain, don't go away--i've got just the right remedy!"

                                                  Points2Ponder

                                                                                                       By Alan P. Scaglone

Riddle me this…

What do an orange beach ball, a red top, an lime matchbox car, a glowstick that turns into a bracelet and…a bubble gun that makes automatic bubbles when you shoot it..

Have in common?

Hint…

They are a prescription…

What for, you might ask?

Glad you asked.

They are a prescription for all that ails you on a Saturday morning…when it’s pouring down rain outside.

Who’s the prescription for?

My 3 year old grandson Jett—it cures the blues and keeps him busy.

Hey? Who needs a stairmaster or treadmill? Just follow a 3 year old around for 3 hours on a Saturday morning—it’s all the workout you will ever need!

POINTS2PONDER  Why do we need videos or mp3 players to entertain our little ones? Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting on the floor and just…playing!

So, I had a playdate with my grandson.

Our plan was to play outside all day, in the sun, with the bikes and the swing and the bat and ball… just a “fun in the sun” kinda day!

Only one problem…

Saturday morning, and it seems…the sun did NOT get that memo!

It decided to take a Mental Health Day and call in “sick”….

Leaving Rain to fill in for the sun.

And boy, did it ever!

But my grandson was still on his way to Nano’s house—where he expected to be “entertained”!

Three year olds can be so demanding!

And he knows—Nano would move heaven and earth to make Jett laugh—it’s my job!

His Dad now gets the hard work—providing, educating, molding, counseling, advising, disapproving, reminding, instructing, disciplining…

Yeh—I remember that job!

Now – I now have the easy job!

Cruise Activity Director on the SS. Jett Jameson!

And I know—my 3 year old is NOT an easy passenger—he expects to be entertained.

And I, for one, was NOT going to disappoint—not gonna let a little thing like thunderstorms and thunder stop us from having a good time.

I just had to work a little harder!

And I came up with a bright idea—

Lay out all of his options on the counter for him to see when he gets here!

And that’s exactly what I did!

The Ball, the top, the glowstick, the matchbox cars and the bubble gun!

All in a line—waiting for his approval.

Remember—he’s 3 years old—he should be on cloud nine with all of the options!

So my son and grandson get there—and Jett runs into my arms and says, “Nano, it’s raining.” And makes a sad face.

I said, “JettJett, we love rainy days—it’s our chance to play in the house—come see what I found for us to play with!”

And I took him to the counter, and there it was, all lined up… Dr. Nano’s prescription for Fun on a Rainy Day!

And he actually said, “All that for me? Is that for me, Nano?”

Apparently, I had impressed him!

I know, in 10 years…the toys will need to be bigger and a whole lot more expensive!

But…this was today, and he’s three!

So we played kickball in the family room.

And we got on the floor, and I showed him how to spin a top with his fingers.

Then we got the matchbox cars out and played “car crash!”

I took him into the laundry room—the darkest room in the house—and opened up the glowstick! He actually went “Wow!” and started moving it in the air.

But the one we had the most fun with was…the bubble gun!

Nana didn’t know we did this in the house—so don’t tell her, okay?

Before we knew it… Dad had to say “It’s time to go…it’s been 3 hours already!”

Jett looked at me and said, “No! I want to stay and play with Nano!”

And that, my friend… was my proof that my prescription cured the blues!

I just love a rainy day!

And Jett loves his Nano!

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I'm Just Sayin

"My Mighty Mykai- Let's Get Ready For School!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

IT’s That Time of Year!

School’s back in!

All of the kids are returning to School!

Evidenced by all of the Yellow Submarines on Wheels!

That’s what I call school buses!

And they are everywhere this time of year!

All of the Back to School shopping in the past few weeks-

We grandparents get into the spirit also by buying for our grandkids.

We put together a bag of supplies, some clothes, and…some money!

Just a little something to help the parents with all that is required.

And believe me, there’s a lot required these days.

I was told that some schools are willing to gather the supplies for you—

For a price!!

That’s right—they say, “Your second grader’s supplies will be $102 – write a check!”

And they do the shopping for you!

It’s the latest thing—don’t you wonder how much of that is “let me help you parent”

And how much of it is “let’s make a profit AND provide a service!”

I know, I know… I am sure it’s the former and NOT the latter!

I have to admit… this time of year reminds me of all those First Day of School moments!

I was THAT father!

I didn’t miss one of their “first day of school” moments- Every Year!

I had the kind of flexibility with my job that I could go in late on those days.

But…I was there—from kindergarten through Senior Year!

Not sure if my kids ever appreciated the effort and uniqueness of my presence.

In fact, I am sure…especially in the later years…all they experienced was annoyance!

“Why do you have to take us? Why can’t we just go on our own? No one else does this!”

See? I DO remember it their way!

But, I was convinced, “Someday, they will appreciate the effort and love I put into this!”

So far….that appreciation has NOT made its way back to me!

But I still remember…  How happy and proud I was to be able to share this moment with them.

My parents never did that for me… Nope, I just followed the other kids to school.

I was determined to be the parent I always wanted!

Just thought it was important to be “present in the moment” with my kids.

I wanted to be “that” father!

Probably because… I never had “that” father!

And now… we are doing the same for our grandkids.

I packed the bag for my grandson Mykai, wrapping his presents and writing in print a special note to him—he is going into 2^nd grade and can read very well—in print!

And…I included some money for him to buy whatever he wanted for himself!

We left it at his house…they weren’t home at the time.

About 2 in the afternoon, phone rings!

“Hi Nano!(that’s me!) Thank you for the presents for school!”

“You are welcomed Mykai(pronounced MickKye)—did you like the shirts and the supplies?”

“Yeh, I mean, Yes Sir!”
“What did you like the most?”

“The TEN DOLLARS! That was cool!”

Out of the mouths of babes… he spoke the truth “Loved the Money!”

I had to laugh—he was honest!

I told him that I was praying for him to do well in school and make us all proud.

He said thank you for the money and said goodbye.

And I just sat and pondered.

My grandson is now growing up, just like his mom did, in the admonition of the Lord.

And I was thankful.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart!”  Proverbs 22:6

I had trained mine, and now she was training hers.

As a grandparent, who could ask for more?

Guess in a world where everything is changing all of the time,

Just nice to know “something’s never change!”

You teach your child, they teach theirs…The Word of God – IT Never Changes!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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"Ever surprised by the kindness of strangers!"

                                     Points2Ponder

                                                                                                       By Alan P. Scaglone

In an age when we don’t really know our neighbors…

People move in and move out—all we know is the car they drive and sometimes, the music they listen to the loudest!

But know our neighbors? Gone is the day when you trade recipes across the fence or share cook outs with your closest neighbors.

No longer do we tell our neighbors that we are going on vacation and ask them to watch our house, for fear… they just might do that!

Watch it from the inside as they or someone they know – makes off with our valuable possessions all because we let them know—“we’ll be gone for two whole weeks!”

POINTS2PONDER  Why can’t we expect our neighbors to be “neighborly”? And why… are we so surprised when—THEY ARE!!!

So, I bought this lawnmower over the weekend!

Stay with me for this one—it might take a minute.

I go to Home Depot—by myself—my wife decided that she wasn’t needed to help me pick out a new lawn mower.

It wasn’t the “picking out” that I needed help with—it was the “picking up” into the back of the van that I could have used some help with.

Am I the only one who remembers that I have a heart condition? Apparently so!

My lawn mower has seen its last day—although it IS a Sears Craftsman which should mean that it will last a lifetime.

For some people, maybe.

But, for me…once I check the spark plug, clean out the air filter, lubricate the engine motor and check for oil and gas… I have reached my height of lawn mower knowledge!

And…if it still is NOT working—time to buy a new one!

And YES—I checked to make sure it had gas—this is NOT one of THOSE stories!

And for those who know—taking it to a service center is going to cost me $100 just to have it diagnosed and who knows what it will cost to fix it?

And a new one? Only costs less than twice that—and it’s new!!

Back to the new mower—it’s a LawnBoy! Apparently, that is funny—per my son, who laughed when I told him the name! He said, “You’re kidding, right?”

I said no—it’s a Toro LawnBoy! Lime Green, I might add!

I get it home—no easy feat alone—in a minivan!

I assemble it, start it and mow the lawn!

Task accomplished! New mower checks out, lawn mowed!

Now what to do with the old mower?

I tell my wife, “I’m going to do one of my Random Acts of Kindness and just set it out in the front, by the road, so someone can come by and take it. They will fix it, use it or sell it, but it will bless them and… the old mower will be out of my yard! Kind and efficient all wrapped up in one deed!”

I set it out at the road where the garbage will be picked up.

We go to lunch—have a relaxing time reflecting on the events of the day and my kind act of “giving away” the old mower!”

On the drive home, I predict to my wife “That mower is already gone! Someone drove by and saw it and SCOOPED it up! They thought it was Christmas morning!”

I was chuckling to myself because I didn’t leave a note that said “By the way—good luck—it doesn’t work!”

But hey? It’s on the side of the road? Isn’t that assumed?

Who would leave a working lawn mower on the side of the road?

Hmmmmm?

So we turn on our road, and I can see, from where we are…it’s gone!

“I told ya! It’s gone—that mower is in somebody’s backyard as we speak!”

And I was right!

As we pulled in—it was in MY backyard!

The neighbor thought I had forgotten to put it back once I mowed my lawn!

Guess they didn’t see the NEW LIME GREEN LAWN BOY!

I didn’t have the heart to put it back out on the road—

Maybe I can turn it into a planter?

Guess the neighbor was doing their own Random Act of Kindness!

Thank you Neighbor—mighty neighborly of you!

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I'm just Sayin by Alan P. Scaglione

"Joe's wife Denise-- A New Season to Serve the Lord!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

A lot can happen in three months.

It’s a whole season!

Three months ago today, my brother Joe died.

Can’t believe it’s been only 3 months…

And then again…it seems like a lifetime ago.

So much has changed.

And I am watching it all change, amazed how… life goes on.

Joe’s wife, Denise…she has been a wonderful example of…

Working through the grief and moving on with life.

She started with clearing out a storage unit that my brother had kept.

I know she cleared it out because…

Somehow—there are 8 boxes full of his stuff that are now in my family room.

She then decided to go visit her family in Canada for a few weeks.

We all agreed that it would be great for her to spend time with her grandkids.

While she was there, she was offered a job at her old church.

They have a college, and she will be teaching and helping the students.

And she starts tomorrow!

So…. She had to come home, pack up the house, pack for her move…

And say “see ya’ll soon”, not goodbye, to her Florida family.

All in 3 months!

What a season it’s been—just watching it unfold for her…

Just reminds you that God knows the plan for your life, and…

Just when you think that it’s all over…He is ready to use you all over again!

And Denise will tell you “My life is all about Jesus! Whatever He wants from me!”

She is remarkable, amazing, impressive and…inspirational.

Oh, there’s not a day that she doesn’t miss her husband.

I saw this wife grieve the moment her husband left us in the hospital room.

Her tears, her words…

 “No, this wasn’t supposed to happen! We’re supposed to grow old together!”

Still bring tears to my eyes—her sincere startle that he left—dedication to the end.

It was painful to watch her revolve her faith with fact- He was gone.

So difficult to let it all go—and accept the truth – God wanted Joe home.

Yet, through it all…

She has shown the resilience and restoration of resting in Her Savior’s arms.

My son was so impressed with her dedication to the Lord that he

Said she is the one person he knows who gives him the best example of true Christianity!

She has served the Lord in so many capacities.

She was a nun. Yes, that kind of nun!

She was a school teacher.

She was a school principal.

She is a preacher.

She is a terrific mom, raising her two wonderful daughters!

She is a grandmother of 7.

She is a friend to everyone she meets.

She is our family prayer warrior.

Her life exemplifies the line …

“God is not looking for your ability—just your availability!”

And she has made herself available to her Savior for whatever He wants of her.

In every capacity, Denise shows God’s grace, love, forgiveness and acceptance.

Her heart loves sincerely, completely and consistently.

She lets you know…she is praying for you, and you know…she really is!

And it is inspiring!

I know she inspires my son—that’s no easy feat.

When I reflect on Denise’s One Unexpected Event—

She never believed her husband was going to die-

She was the epitome of faith in motion-

Leading organized telephone prayer chains and daily communion-

She never gave up hope and always spoke faith believing he would be healed!

But, in the end, we accept that God had another plan for Joe…

And apparently, for Denise also.

As I observe her reaction to all that has happened in this Season of Change—

The scripture that comes to mind is…Matthew 22:37

“Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all our soul, with all your mind!”

And if ever there is someone who exemplifies this scripture,

It’s Joe’s Widow Denise!

I can’t wait to see what God has in store for her during THIS new season!

I know one thing for sure…her students are gonna love her!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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