My friend Tony sent this to me after going to his grandfather’s memorial service. It really meant a lot to me and I hope it helps anyone who reads this. It has been a rough 20 days since my dad passed away and it is the little things that I find most upsetting, but then I read this and it helps me to smile.
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Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play,
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy,
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief,
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He’s set me free.
I was looking into my credit score/report on the advice of my friend Vasken and I had a lot of trouble with the process.
First, the password only has one field which you can not verify you typed it right because it is in password format. Next, they won’t let you use special characters which limits what you can increase your personal information online.
Finally, I get into the system, and it throws me (what looks like) an ASP.net JavaScript error. Since ASP is a Microsoft framework, it “only works” in Internet Explorer and I was using Firefox. When I loaded IE, it worked fine but at the same time, Firefox wouldn’t work.
This was sent to me by my Aunt. I support the troops, not the war!
Red Shirt
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man… Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.
After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I’m escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I’m taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.’
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here’s a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the ’silent majority. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday — and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this count ry will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once ’silent’ majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked ‘What can we do to make things better for you?’ is. ‘We need your support and your prayers.’ Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you;
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom.
I was watching the news last night and they showed a cat that was turned into the Animal Shelter who had many serious burns all over its body. Police are currently looking for the person who did this, but nothing has come up.
For all who were asking me about the wake and funeral information. Since this is publishing to my Facebook feed, this post will reach all of my family and friends.
Wake
This Thursday, 4-8pm
Keefe Funeral Home in Arlington
5 Chestnut st, Arlington, MA
Last night at around 6:30pm, my father, Harry Haroutunian, passed away from a brain tumor that he fought for 11 years. He beat all of the odds and against the medical expertise of one of the best surgeons in the country (I think). However, he couldn’t overcome the most recent tumor because it had metastasized to the other side of his brain.
Right before he passed away, he smiled quickly and made us realize that he is now in peace and he is no longer suffering. He is with his mother, father, cousins and friends that have moved on and they will take very good care of him in Heaven.
My family and I are going out today to set all the services. For the friends and family who follow my blog, I will post all of the information once it is finalized.
Until we meet again, I Love You Dad and you will always remain in my heart.
I was watching reruns of the NFL Cheerleader Playoffs and it was being held at Six Flags New England in “Springfield”, MA (it is actually in Agawam, MA). I knew that Six Flags was close to Connecticut, but it is only 1,000 feet away.
Two girls got hit by a train while sunbathing on the tracks. Destiny Phaneuf, 13, of Lebanon ME, lost her leg just below the knee; Rachel Brown 14, also of Lebanon ME, lost a foot.
The girls were cutting class and enjoying the sunny weather when the freight train came upon them. There’s no indication the girls were impaired by alcohol or drugs, or that their hearing was impaired by headphones.
What is wrong with people. Accidents happen, but think!
