Its Spring Time...

... Saturday, March 20th, was the first day of Spring. Many of us who live in the Northeast are very happy to see Spring after a tough winter. The weather on Saturday & Sunday was beautiful. Its amazing how good the nice weather can make most of us feel. Of course, there are those who will complain no matter what the weather is like.

... I'm very thankful and blessed all year round. However... I too feel a little better and happier when the weather is nice. Its nice to see people out and about. Its nice to put away our winter coats and get our shorts & T-shirts ready. Its time for us & our kids to play outdoor sports in the nice weather. Its also time to start Bar-B-Q'ing. I always loved a good Bar-B-Q... :-)

... I look forward to seeing my neighbors outside and talking to them. I wish my Canarsie/Brooklyn friends and family all still lived in the same town. That would make the Spring time even better. I miss growing up with so many friends and family living within 2 miles. We could all walk around the neighborhood and see each other.

... Our children in the suburbs will never have what we had living in Canarsie/Brooklyn years ago. Its a different world for them. We can tell our kids or new friends about what we had.. however... they will never truly understand it. I'm glad memories last a life time. I know many of us had great ones.

... I hope everyone gets out there and enjoys the Springtime. Lets try and let go of past negative issues and turn a new leaf for the Spring. Lets enjoy our lives, respect one another, help those who are in need, be patient with everyone, and love one another. The bible says: If we don't have love, we are nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-7... (Talks about Love).

..... Happy Spring Time Everyone. Live, Laugh, Love and Smile.... :-)
..... God Bless us All. Go out and share your love with everyone.... :-)

Mother Nature

... Yesterday was Saturday, March 13th. Here in New York, the news said that we had the worst rain & wind storm in a decade. Some areas had it worst than others. I personally did not have it that bad in Rockland County, NY.

... The news showed that some of the worst hit areas were: Long Island, Staten Island, Westchester, and parts of Brooklyn, Queens & New Jersey. The news also said how 2 people walking in Teaneck, NJ were killed when a tree fell on them and crushed them. (several other people were killed as well).

... We are once again reminded how we have no control over Mother Nature and certain other circumstances in our life. Certain people lost power, some people had trees fall on their homes and cars. The saddest news that happened were that a handful of people lost their lives.

... This is just another reminder to all of us to appreciate all that we have. When we're home and have our electric, we are blessed. Many of us would go bananas without lights, refrigeration, television & a computer. Think about all the people who live like that everyday in those poor countries. Their just happy when there's some food on the table.

... I'm thankful that no one I know was hurt or killed during that storm. I feel bad for those who had damage done to their homes or cars. However, my heart goes out to those who died and lost loved ones.

... Lets remember that Mother Nature can take away our material possessions or our lives at any time during our lifetime. Lets enjoy all that we have.... and not complain about what we don't have or wish we had. As long as we have our health, family, friends, faith and love in our hearts.... we are truly blessed beyond measure....

... I look forward to the spring time as the weather will be getting sunny & warmer in the New York area. I know many of you feel the same way. The nice weather usually puts people in a happier mood. Spring is only 6 days away. Happy Spring Time everyone. Live, Love & Laugh...... Ciao.... :-)

" It could always be worse "...

... Remember this everyone; "It can always be worse". No matter what your problem or circumstance may be. Some of us out there may have had tough times or are in the middle of a tough time... however.... you're all alive if you're reading this... :-). My mom always said: "As long as you're alive, anything can be fixed or resolved. My mom would then say: "Only in death is it too late to fix anything".

... When I was a child growing up in Canarsie (Brooklyn), whenever I complained about anything, my dad (Papa) used to tell me: "You're lucky you're not living in Africa" (he meant areas like Ethiopia). My dad would then say: "I wish you can go live in Africa for a few months and then you would realize how lucky you are". My dad then said: "You would come back to this country and kiss the floor".

... My parents were very wise people with a lot of common sense. Although they didn't have much of an education... they had a lot of common sense, and that to me is worth much more than books. They don't teach common sense in Harvard or any other College.

... My dad was right about how fortunate we are to live in America. Although my dad was from Italy, he always said that America was the greatest country in the world. My dad left Italy to make a better future for himself and his family to be. My dad really appreciated America because there was not much work or money to be made in Italy. (Sicily).

... My dad said many Americans were spoiled and didn't realize how good we have it here compared to the rest of the world. He was right again. I also believe America is the greatest country in the world. People in this country need to be thankful and appreciate what we have. Those that are complainers, would complain no matter where they lived in the world.

... Okay then, lets try and all be more appreciative of life and complain less. Lets count our blessings and not our issues. We all have issues. Someone once told me that life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% is how we handle it.

... There was a man who was robbed and beat up once. He then said: I'm very thankful for 3 reasons. #1). I wasn't killed. #2). He didn't get all I own. and #3). I'm thankful I wasn't the robber. Remember: Its all about how we look at things.

... I can relate to him because even though I have a rare & deadly type of Leukemia.... I have stayed thankful & positive during my battle with Leukemia. "Remember: It can always be worse"... God bless America & may God bless us all.... See you at my next post... :-)

We can learn something from the Dead...

... Someone once told me many years ago that there's a lot of people in the Cemetery that wish they were me. I thought about that for a while and said to myself... self... he's right... :-)

... We really can learn something from the dead. All of us know someone who has died. Let's think about what that person would tell us if they could talk to us after they died. I believe most dead people would tell us to enjoy our short life on Earth as much as possible.

... My friend Marcello died last week. I went to see him a few months before he died. He told me that he was probably going to die. One of the things he told me was that he wished he had taken more time off work and enjoyed life more. He also told if he lives and beats the cancer he was battling, he wanted to travel with his family and see places he always wanted to see. I'm sure they were many other things he would have loved to have done as well.

... Many dead people would have told us to love our family and friends while we have them. They would tell us to spend quality time with our children. Many people would have told us to forgive people and move on. They would have told us not to sweat the small stuff. Some would have said to work less and enjoy life more.

... My relatives & friends in Sicily (Italy) always told me this: In America, it seems most people live to work. In Sicily, we work to live. I have to agree with them because their quality of life is much less stressful and filled with more peace and joy than most of us in America.

... So I say to everyone: Enjoy this short life while you have it. Live/Love & Laugh. Make your bucket list. Do whatever makes you happy as long as you're not hurting anyone or doing anything sinful or illegal.

... I was on my death bed for almost 5 months in the hospital fighting Leukemia 3 years ago. I'm still on lots of meds. I made a mental bucket list. I will continue to try and accomplish as much as possible. I love life and people more than ever.... Please don't wait until you die to wish you Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda.... Just Do it..
... God bless you all. I love you all...

... P.S. Today is my sister Nellie's 43rd Birthday. I want to say I love her with all my heart & soul. Thank you for donating your Bone Marrow to me and saving my life.... :-)

Canarsie (Brooklyn) Friends...

... Canarsie (Brooklyn) was the greatest place to grow up in my opinion. I know many people may also feel the same way about their neighborhood as well. However, I can only speak for my neighborhood.

... I lived in Canarsie in the 60's, 70's and 80's. My parents and my sister moved out in 1984. I stayed an extra year and moved out in 1985. I was broken hearted when my family moved out. My mom and dad were in a very bad car accident in the early 80's. They both ended up retired and on disability.

... Since my parents were retired, they felt they could live anywhere. My sister and I had already graduated Canarsie HS by 1985. My parents chose Rockland County, NY. They chose Rockland because some of my other relatives had moved there first. My parents wanted the family to live nearby.

... Well... its been about 25 years later and I found so many of my friends thanks to "Facebook". I had kept in touch with a small number of my close friends, however, I had lost contact with the 100's of friends I went to school with and used to see hanging around the neighborhood.

... I never realized until Facebook that us Canarsiens had such a special and great bond. Sometimes its not until we grow up and mature that we realize what we really had. I really wish everyone from Canarsie would have moved to the same neighborhood. ( I personally like the Jersey Shore). I hope one day many of us retire in Florida and see each other all the time... :-)

... I am also very thankful that through Facebook, so many of us can keep in touch and have our Canarsie reunions throughout the year. I'm amazed by the love & joy I see on facebook and at all the Canarsie reunions. It is so special. Many people cannot understand it. I speak with people from other towns all around the tri-state area and they do not have what us Canarsiens have.

... I want to thank Canarsie and all my friends for helping me battle my cancer (Leukemia) these past few years. Finding my youth all over again on Facebook has really given me a strength and joy that is better than "Medicine". I am very thankful to God for everyone's love, thoughts and support.

... I will continue to fight this ugly cancer with my family and friends behind me. Its a tough battle and I hope to live as long as possible with this deadly type of Leukemia. Its been over 3 years with this Leukemia and I'm still having problems. However... with God, my family & friends.... all things are possible. Thank you everyone. I love you all.... :-)

... P.S. The picture above is of the Canarsie Theater on Avenue "L". I loved that place growing up... :-)

Happy Valentine's Day to all...

... Yesterday was Sunday, February 14th. (Saint Valentine's Day). Valentine's Day is an annual holiday celebrating love and affection. The holiday was named after one or more Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius in A.D. 496.

... I believe everyone has at least one Valentine. Many of us have more than one. A Valentine doesn't have to be a husband & wife, or a boyfriend & girlfriend. A Valentine is a time of celebrating love and affection as mentioned earlier.

... A Valentine can be a: Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter, Friend, Relative, Grandparent, Husband, Wife, Boyfriend, Girlfriend, and so on. (I believe it can even be a pet). I've heard people say they love their pet more than their relatives. To each his own. ( or as the Italians say: Sauseech his own).... :-)

... I personally love everyone. (some more than others of course). I have thousands of Valentine's. I'm sorry I could not get all of you a gift. I would have went bankrupt...lol... However... if its really the thought that counts.... then you all got a gift... :-)

... Valentine's Day is also a time to remember those we love that have died. I believe we all know someone who has died that we have love and affection for. I know I have many. True love never dies. It's memories last a lifetime.

... I hope you all enjoyed your Valentine's weekend. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. I love you all. Thank you for being a part of my life. God bless you all & thank God for the gift of Love.... See you at my next post... Ciao

Liver Biopsy put on hold...

... My liver enzymes were at very high & dangerous levels about 2 months ago. That usually means the liver is inflamed and has some sort of damage to it. My doctor wanted me to have a liver biopsy. I told my doctor to lets continue a series of blood work and then we'll talk about the liver biopsy.

... Its been about 2 months later and my liver enzymes have started a downtrend. That's great news. I hope and pray the downtrend continues. Although a liver biopsy is not the worst surgery to have, I would still have the risk of getting an infection and that could be dangerous for me. My immune system is still very poor and my body may not be able to fight certain infections which could lead to death.

... I'm glad I didn't get the biopsy right away. I had decided to wait and pray. I told some of my friends that I would just keep praying that my liver would begin to heal. There's no guarantee that prayer would heal my liver. However, God wants us to pray to him for all things and God will have the final say.

... I was once taught this in Bible study years ago: God always answers prayer. God answers with either a YES, NO or WAIT. We have to put our Faith in God and he will make the final decision on all things. God promises not to give us more than we can handle if we put our trust/faith in him.

... I hope my liver continues to heal. I may not know what my future holds.... but I know who holds my future... :-) Praise the Lord... Can I get an Amen ???... :-) Stay well everyone. See you at my next post... Ciao

... P.S. The picture above was taken in Wildwood Crest with me & my two sons around the year 1999...