Cocktail #3

Well I did it. I wore the hat with the hair hanging down to my last cocktail and got a good laugh from the staff. Unfortunately, all the people who were at the last treatments weren't there so the new ones looked at me a little askance. I haven't taken a picture of me in the hat, yet, but will, and will post it next time. This techy stuff is a grinder. The treatment went well and, as in the prior treatments, the 7 days following are an interesting ride. Have a taste in my mouth like I swallowed some rabbit droppings (a memory of my brother Ralph convincing me as a youngster that they were raisins).

I had an opportunity to visit with our niece who just had a beautiful boy a couple of days ago, and her mother was there. She's married to my brother Merrill, who's coming up from California this week, and what a delightful family. We, the Brintons, are having a get-together this Thursday and I'm so looking forward to it. There is not a time we get-together that we don't laugh and love a lot. We've all been blessed with our parents sense of humor and the ability to see humor in just about everything. As an example, Babs asked me the other morning as we were reading the paper, "Will you help me write your obituary?" I told her that was another seven word sentence that one doesn't want to hear, like the doctor saying some months ago, "You better get your affairs in order." We had a good laugh about that. However...I am insisting that she take the first bite out of all the food we eat!

I also went to a dermatologist to look at some skin blemishes on the back of my hand and some sun spots on my face (from sun worshiping in my earlier days around pools, and on the slopes of Utah). After telling me a good joke, he then said to his nurse, "Get me the frozen gun." For those of you who don't know, they zap any superficial skin cancer before they become serious. Well I felt he went a little crazy with the gun. When he was finished, the back of my hands looked like a leper's (I'll not include photos) and my nose was as red as a clown's at Ringling Bros. Upon looking at myself in the mirror on the way home, I had a big grin what with my white bolder dome and red nose. Fortunately these blemishes are short lived.

I'm meeting Bruce and Tomazina Mulhearn in Park City along with Bruce's brother Tim, who's a delightful fellow, tomorrow evening for dinner. So looking forward to it. Family gathering Thursday, and leaving for Orlando this Saturday for RE/MAX Convention, and then I'm golfing in a tournament on Sunday. It's the first time I'll be on golf course in over 7 months. I feel for the partners they've assigned me to, however I'll be grinning the total round. Looking forward to seeing many friends.

Love to ALL,

Howard

A full weekend

What a weekend! Friday began with the early arrival of my daughter Darcie and our three beautiful granddaughters (from California). Adele, the middle one, had called earlier in the week to ask if she could work while here to earn some money to buy a bunny (rabbit, for those who think of bunnies in a different light). It was one of the most delightful conversations I'd had with her. After agreeing to grant her request by hiring her, I asked her how much she could lift. She said, "I don't know." I asked, "Can you lift 10-15 pounds because your work may require some lifting." She said, "Just a minute." I could hear her in the background asking her mom and she came back with,

"I can lift as much as you need with my Mom and Dad's help."

"Who's going to pay them, you? Or will I have to?"

"Just a minute,” (whispers) “I will."

"Good I respect that, now, how much are you worth?"

"I don't know."

"Are you worth a dollar?"

"Yes."

"Are you worth $10,000 dollars?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Well all we need to do is find out where you fit in between a dollar and ten thousand dollars and we'll know how to set up a pay scale, so where do you think you'll fit within there?"

"Just a minute,” (whispers) “I'm worth a million dollars, but I don't charge that per hour."

And the conversation went on and on like that until we agreed to agree on a rate before they began work on Friday. Darcie came on the phone and commented about Adele’s perseverance once she sets her mind to doing something. It was a joy to participate in. So when they showed up for breakfast Friday morning (by their admission, Grandpa's breakfasts are one of their favorite things when they visit) we sat down and looked over a job description I had typed up for her and her sisters (Tennie, who's also saving for a bunny, and Ceci, who's saving for an unidentified “furry and cuddly” animal). We went over the jobs and requirements and they all signed it before we began. 

Setting the table was the first task before they could eat. Part of the job description began with having a "can do" attitude in all things listed, operating with an "attitude of curiosity" so that if they didn't know how to complete a task they would ask, and operating in a "spirit of teamwork". A bonus was offered if they accomplished all of those three elements plus all the tasks listed. After that, the day was a whirlwind of work and enjoyable moments. After cleaning up the breakfast plates, we went outside to pick up the dog poop. That stretched their "can do" attitude and I shared a wisdom learned from someone, "Do the most difficult thing first in the day and all else is easy and flows after that."

I joined them in emptying the "Poop bucket". Tennie and I wished we had a mask, however the task ended successfully and they were obviously glad to move onto the next job.

Walking the dogs was a task that they loved. Kipper, their little champion, joined our Charlie and Ella and each of the kids took responsibility for a long walk around the beautiful Draper Park. We stopped to pet 5 horses that were drawn to the love these kids have for animals. They have an instinctive connection. Adele loves horses (even taking lessons in her home state). I see a barrel racer in the making.

Preparing a potato salad was another task that they jumped into with relish, slicing and dicing until it was complete. Six quiches (for Adele's baptism on Saturday) was another task that they tackled, with Ceci and Babs preparing the crust prior to the oven doing its part.

Vacuuming was one of the areas they tackled, working as a team.

The highlight however on the job description was a foot massage for Grandpa and Babs, and Tennie and Adele showed great talent. In fact, for an old physical therapist (me) they showed exceptional talent. I could have stayed in that chair for hours.

Babs made a homemade carrot cake, and we had our own belated birthday party for Adele.

When they visited me last summer, I was determined to introduce them to golf, and my lesson held their attention for about 97 seconds. Realizing I had little knowledge of how to engage them in the game, I included it in their job description: a golf lesson at Junior Golf Academy. They took to it with relish, and even asked to take home the clubs I'd purchased for them to learn on. This pleased me to no end. I look forward to the day when I can take them on a regular course.

Adele showed me pictures, and shared all sorts of personal details, of their year in France. Overall, the day with them was one of my best ever. I can easily see how many of you who've raved about your grandkids over the years came by it so honestly.

Friday was also a banner day for Star Power, the business Babs and I ran for so many years. We received many e-mails from "Stars" (top agents who share their success practices with others...and each other) who were thrilled with the direction Alex Charfen and his team are taking Star Power. We couldn't be more thrilled with Alex and the leadership and talent he brings to so many. We were so fortunate to have him and his wife Cadey come into our lives.

Friday was also a big day for our son Mitch and his wife Joann and their son Tag. Mitch and Joann were sealed in the Mormon Temple in Provo, Utah. This is a HUGE thing for any Mormon couple, and there were smiles from ear to ear for so many family members at dinner afterwards. Joann has a great family, and of course I think Mitch's is pretty good, so the combination and blending make for a great family gathering, which was the first of two this past weekend. We slept well Friday.

Saturday was Adele's baptism into the Mormon faith. We were so proud of her for her choices (baptism is done at age 8) as she takes on the responsibility of her choices in life. What a wonderful experience. Darcie gave a talk, as did Joann. In talking to youngsters, they had props, engaged them with questions and I was so proud of Darcie's kids, as they had every answer on their tongue before the question was asked. I know they must get their brilliance from their mom and dad! Geoff's side of the family was there in abundance (at least 5 of his 8 siblings) and their kids, so cousins were everywhere, as were Grandparents and loved ones. Babs and I enjoyed it so. They even asked me to say a few words, which is somewhat of an oxymoron as they said about a minute or so. I don't even work up a sweat in a minute, but I relied on love and the spirit of the event to let Adele know how proud we were of her and that she has so many loved ones who are there to support and love her throughout her life. The six quiches were part of a brunch afterwards that everyone contributed to. Food and company were great!

Sunday was another family gathering at my brother Ralph and his lovely wife Bonnie's beautiful home. The occasion was the blessing (or christening) of Tag. He was in his element. For a two-month old child, he has personality to burn. There must have been 70 family and friends there to enjoy the experience plus another family pot luck dinner. With this much food, I can hardly wait for my weigh-in this Thursday when I go for my third Chemo cocktail. For the food, Joann's parents made a Texas brisket that still makes my mouth water. There is nothing better than being around family when the atmosphere is filled with love. We have that a lot of that at the Brintons!

Today, Monday, saw Darcie, Geoff and the girls depart for California. I'll miss them and the energy they bring, but know I had the opportunity to engage with my grandchildren like I'd never done before. It was a special time.

Today also brought me great pleasure when RE/MAX International called and they are flying me down to their Annual Convention in Orlando to be in the opening session (7-10,000 people) with their founder and Chairman of the Board, Dave Liniger. It will give me an opportunity to talk about the "Attitude of Gratitude" which I've really taken to heart. What it means in essence is that no matter how difficult things are, or how bad the experience or situation, there is always something to be grateful for. This will give me the opportunity to thank Dave and the whole RE/MAX network for all they've given to Babs and me over the years. They have been so supportive of our efforts to educate agents and I've known Dave since he started this great franchise. They're also letting me golf in the tournament which will be my first outing for longer than I can remember and I'm so jazzed.

Well, that's all for now. I’ll be back after Thursday's chemo round. I'm planning on wearing a hat that has long hair hanging out from the side (a gift from Star Chip Neumann years ago) and asking fellow Chemo-ites what their problem is with losing their hair......I've had the opposite reaction!

Love you all......