Sunday, December 21, 2014

Every Jorge I Know is Gay

www.natureworldnews.com
A few years back, a couple of guys moved to the town near me and opened a small coffee shop that served baked goods.  One of the owners was named Jorge.  Since it was near the high school, it became an after school hangout for the teenaged crowd.  A friend’s daughter often went there and described in glowing details how cool and urban the place was for a small town.  My friend casually mentioned the community’s suspicion that the couple was gay.  The daughter said, “Well of course he is gay.  Every Jorge I know is gay.”  Follow-up questions led to the daughter acknowledging that this was the only Jorge she knew.

What leads us to make such sweeping statements?  Why do we stereotype an individual or people group by slapping a defining label across their collective foreheads?  These are questions to wrestle with as many call for social reform across the nation.  While there are many layers to this question, I would like to focus on one - confirmation bias.

www.petmd.com
We all develop preconceived notions that help us make sense of the world.  Often, we take these prejudgments and look for examples to confirm our hypotheses and theories.  Other times an incident presents itself and plows up an old prejudice that is no longer a part of our daily, conscious thought.  For example, seeing a large, white dog and hearing it growl may surface a childhood memory of being bitten by the neighbor’s white dog which in turn leads us to issue a blanket statement that, “You can’t trust white dogs – they will bite.”

This thought of confirming a bias has been reinforced for me this fall.  As I travel back and forth to town, I often meet a truck loaded with hunters.  I know nothing of these individuals – it is mere chance encounter as our vehicles pass.  I label them hunters because of the camo clothing they wear.  An ATV in the bed cements the assessment.  On the dash of many of these vehicles is a blaze orange cap.  Every time I see that orange cap I peg the guys as road hunters.  Why do I leap to this conclusion?  Because on more than one occasion while working a deer decoy, I have seen a hunter reach for an orange cap on their dash before stepping out to shoot the decoy from the roadway.  The mental image is so overwhelming that I toss my orange cap in the floor of the truck whenever I’m driving - I won't even leave it on the seat.

Earlier this month I heard an interview on NPR with Chris Rock on finding the line between funny and too far.  The interviewer made a statement to the effect that many comedians routinely engage in gay bashing during their shows.  Rock responded, “Name two.”  The interviewer was frustrated by this response and Rock again challenged her to name two comedians who engaged in this behavior.  Rock said that the “name two” question is one he often uses when someone uses terms like “always” or other hyperbolic statements.

www.bet.com
www.dragoart.com
Confirmation bias becomes even more intense when the media and entertainers chose to reinforce these stereotypes.  It is easy to find someone on television, radio, Internet forums or blogs that confirms our stereotypes.  We just finished binge watching Sons of Anarchy and Season 1 of True Detective.  In SOA, there wasn’t a single cop or correctional officer depicted in seven seasons that wasn’t corrupt.  In True Detective, the primary characters were profane, alcoholic womanizers that continually cut legal corners, including the murder of a suspect, to arrive at “justice.”  Of course we can't trust cops.

We fail into this trap of conformation bias almost continually.  How often have we heard the story of a shopper checking out in the grocery store, using food stamps or EBT, only to leave the store and drive away in an expensive car (I still hear of them driving away in a Cadillac although I don’t know a single person who drives a Caddy these days)?  A few years back I recall a clerk in a small convenience store lamenting after selling a case of beer to two Hispanic men that, "all these Mexicans do is lay around and drink beer in Sundays.”  (Never mind that she just sold the subject of her judgment).  And it has already been determined, all Jorges are gay.

www.deadline.com
So, how do we avoid this bias?  I think the simplest and first step is self-awareness.  The Chris Rock test isn't too bad – name two examples.  Second, terms like “always,” "many," "most," and “never” should raise a red flag and put us on alert with ourselves and others.  And finally, I have to remind myself often to withhold judgment until I hear a balanced version.  While it is easy to fall into the confirmation trap, it is just as easy and dangerous to discard evidence that doesn't support our theories.

With all that said maybe I should consider that the dash of those guy's trucks as just a convenient spot to place your orange cap.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

NCWRC Division of Law Enforcement Chiefs/Colonels 1947-present

Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them.  ~  Robert Jarvik

North Carolina has had conservation laws in place since colonial days, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that there was an effort to begin enforcing those laws in a uniform manner.  Conservation law enforcement went through several iterations on the state level – county game wardens loosely managed by state funding to the Audubon Society to wildlife protectors with the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development - before the formation of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in 1947.  

In the years since 1947, North Carolina has gone through tremendous social, political and economic change.  Soldiers did battle in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, the Middle East and Afghanistan.  We saw the rise of textile manufacturing then its exit to Latin America and the Far East.  The interstate speed limit rose to 70 mph, dropped to 55, then rose back to 70.  Home mortgage rates have bounced from low single digits to near 20% and then back down again.  Gains were made in equity between races and gender.  Biologically, quail declined while deer, bear and turkeys increased.  The NCWRC went from an agency funded solely by license sales to one receiving legislative appropriations.  The years have passed with near continual change.

Helping navigate the law enforcement program through these changes has been a series of chiefs.  The following is a brief narrative and photos of the men who have led the wildlife law enforcement efforts of the NCWRC since 1947.

***

Charles D. Kirkpatrick was born on May 15, 1894.  He attended the Agriculture and Mechanical College in Charlotte, North Carolina and later N.C. State.  He served as 1st Lieutenant with the N.C. National Guard (120th Inf. Co. F) in the 1920s.  Kirkpatrick was the chief of law enforcement in the 1940s with the N.C. Department of Conservation and Development’s Division of Game and Inland Fisheries.  When the NCWRC was formed in 1947, he continued as chief of the "Protection Division" until 1948.  After his time with the NCWRC, Kirkpatrick returned to the Department of Conservation and Development to work with the Commercial Fisheries Division.

Charles D. Kirkpatrick
from the NC State yearbook
D. Warren Lupton, Jr. was selected to replace Kirkpatrick.  Lupton was appointed Beaufort County game protector on September 1, 1937 and later served as refuge protector at Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.  In 1947, the newly formed NCWRC chose Lupton as the supervisor of law enforcement in District 1.  He became chief of the division on February 1, 1948. 

Chief D. Warren Lupton, Jr.
from Wildlife in North Carolina
G.A. Jones became chief on November 1, 1949.  Jones was a native of Franklin, N.C.  He served in the U.S Navy during World War II as a combat pilot in the Pacific, Caribbean, African and European theaters.  After his military service, he earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina and was admitted to the N.C. Bar in August 1949.  Jones left the agency in 1953 to go into private law practice.

Chief G.A. Jones
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Assistant director of the Institute of Government, University of North Carolina, W.C. Bumgarner, replaced Jones as chief in 1953.  Like Jones, Bumgarner served as a combat pilot during World War II and was an attorney.  At the IOG, Bumgarner had been responsible for pre-service and in-service training for N.C. wildlife protectors.

Chief W.C. Bumgarner
from Wildlife in North Carolina
When Bumgraner left the commission, NCWRC assistant director Eugene Schwall served as acting chief for two months until a new chief was selected.

Walter F. Anderson became chief in June 1955.  Anderson was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and had served as chief of police with the Winston Salem and Charlotte Police Departments.  After leaving Charlotte PD, he was appointed director of the N.C. Department of Justice's Bureau of Investigation and then the Prison Department.  He was well known across the state as a leading Methodist layman.  In his letter of resignation he wrote,

“The employees of the Wildlife Protection Division, beginning with my secretary, assistant chief, supervisors, patrolmen and down to the youngest wildlife protector, have been loyal, faithful and cooperative in all matters of law enforcement and wildlife conservation.  I deeply regret to leave these dedicated employees who have rendered an excellent service and have given me their loyal support.  I leave with the sincere belief that they will continue to serve in a faithful and loyal manner and give my successor the same loyalty, faithfulness and devotion to wildlife conservation and efficient law enforcement in each of nine districts.”

Chief Walter F. Anderson
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Anderson returned to the SBI and served as director until 1966.

Ben H. James replaced Anderson on November 1, 1956.  James had a background in wildlife biology.  He left the protection division in 1959 to become the eastern supervisor of the NCWRC wildlife management areas.

Chief Ben H. James
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Chief James (right) and Asst. Chief Bob Hazel
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Robert B. Hazel replaced James on July 1, 1959.  Hazel was a World War II pilot who flew 37 combat missions in the European theater.  After his military service he returned to college, finishing with a graduate degree from Penn State.  He initially worked as a small game biologist with the NCWRC before becoming assistant chief in 1956.  He left the division in 1969 to become assistant director of the NCWRC.  Hazel became executive director in 1976.

NCWRC Executive Director Robert Hazel
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Donald E. Curtis replaced Hazel as chief in 1969 and served in that capacity for ten years.  Curtis was previously stationed as a protector in McDowell County and served as the District 8 supervisor before becoming assistant chief in 1959.

Chief Donald E. Curtis
from Wildlife in North Carolina

Chief Curtis and Asst. Chief Overton lead a supervisors' meeting
from Wildlife in North Carolina
C.J. Overton replaced Don Curtis on January 1, 1979.  Overton served during World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Macon Island.  He received a Naval Commendation and Presidential Unit Citation for his service in the South Pacific.  He began his NCWRC career in 1950 as a protector in Aurora.  He became an area leader in 1956, and was the District 1 supervisor from 1959 to 1969.  He moved to Raleigh and became assistant chief in 1969.

Chief C.J. Overton
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Gene H. Abernathy is a native of Granite Falls, N.C.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 as a military policeman.  He later attended Western Carolina University and the University of Florida Forest Ranger School.  He went to work as a wildlife protector in 1959 and was stationed in Manteo and later Lumberton.  He promoted to District 7 as supervisor in 1971.  He became assistant chief in 1979.  Abernathy was promoted to chief in late 1980.  During Abernathy’s tenure, the division switched to its current military rank system.

Gene H. Abernathy
Protector of the Month - August 1962
from Wildlife in North Carolina
“Gene came to the recruit graduation in 2012.  He spent some time with the recruits prior to their graduation, passing along stories of days past.  His continued passion for the job and affection for the recruits was apparent.”  DC
                                                                                                                       
Col. Gene Abernathy - 1980
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Winfield T. Rhyne replaced Abernathy as colonel in 1984.

“Col. Rhyne was my first colonel.  I was stationed way out west and don’t recall ever meeting him.”  DC



                                                                                                                    
Col. Winfield Rhyne and Executive Director Vernon Bevill receive a
CB radio from Holt Thorton to be used on Gaston and Kerr Lakes
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1984
William Harold Ragland was promoted to colonel in 1987.  Ragland was a native of Wake County and served as an airborne radar observer in the U.S. Air Force.  He became a wildlife protector in 1962.  He served as a supervisor in Districts 5, 8, and 9 before moving to the Raleigh office.

W. Harold Ragland
Know Your Protector - February 1970
from Wildlife in North Carolia
“One thing mattered most to Col. Ragland – catching folks.  It has been said that when he was a field supervisor and an officer would stop by his house, Col. Ragland’s kids would ask, “How many have you caught today?”  I recall him and Major C.J. Smith coming to an inspection when I was stationed in District 9.  We lined the trucks up and stood at attention when they arrived.  Major Smith gigged me for having a block haircut.  I didn’t understand then or now exactly what that meant.”  DC
                                                                                                                       
Col. Harold Ragland
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1987
Jerry R. Rich was promoted to colonel in January 1992.  A native of Mecklenburg County, Rich attended N.C State and served four years with the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force.  He came to work with the NCWRC in 1966.  He was the NCWRC’s chief pilot for many years.  His son, Mark, is currently a lieutenant in District 1.

Jerry R. Rich
Know Your Protector - July 1969
from Wildlife in North Carolina
“Col. Rich served in his position for a short period of time.  We were coming out of a difficult time as a division.  I recall him visiting the district and meeting with each of us individually to reinforce the expectations of us as officers.  And maybe more importantly, he communicated what was not expected.”  DC


Col Jerry Rich, Retired, pins the lieutenant bars on his son, Mark Rich - October 2013
photo by Melissa McGraw
Robert (Bobby) M. Tatum was promoted to colonel in June 1992.  He is a native of Lee County and attended Sandhills Community College.  He went to work as a wildlife protector in 1969 in Richmond County.  Later that year, he was called to active duty with the N.C. National Guard (he retired after 20 years of service with the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves).  Upon his returned from military duty, he was assigned to Mecklenburg County.  He promoted to patrolman in 1974 to Robeson County.  While stationed there he completed his degree in criminal justice at Robeson Technical College.  He promoted to captain in District 3 and then to major in 1991.  He retired from the NCWRC on January 1, 1998.

Robert (Bobby) M. Tatum
Know Your Protector - March 1971
from Wildlife in North Carolina
“My favorite memory of Col. Tatum was of me going down to the office sometime in the early 1990s.  I had been working less than ten years.  The general thought of visiting the office made most of us a bit squeamish so the usual tactic was to blow in and out as fast as possible before we were noticed.  I arrived shortly before noon.  Col. Tatum met me in the hallway and invited me to lunch.  I was struck by his friendly nature and when he asked about my concerns, he actually listened to what I had to say.”  DC
                                                                                                                        
Col. Tatum and Commssion Chairman John Lentz presenting achievement
awards to Allen Hicks and Joey Williams for a water rescue.
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1996
Roger Lequire became colonel in January 1998.  A native of Swain County, Lequire began his career in Polk County in 1976, rising to the rank of sergeant.  He promoted to lieutenant in D-7 and then on to captain in charge of training.  He served as major of administration and then field operations before assuming leadership of the division.
Roger Lequrie, Travis Whitson and Dan Moore with a bear trap
from Wildlife in North Carolina - 1980
“Col. Lequire, then Sgt. Lequire, was one of our driving instructors during recruit school.  He had a little fun with us, but not in a way that demeaning.  He was a great speaker (he also spoke to the recruits in 2012 and 2013) and had a seemingly natural command presence.  I recall virtually anytime he spoke to the officers he would reinforce that we, 'Do the right thing.'”  DC
                                                                                                                      
Col. Roger Lequire
from Wildlife in North Carolina
Kenneth Everhart promoted to colonel in July 2004.  An Eagle Scout from Rowan County, Everhart’s first duty station was Granville County in 1982.  He later transferred to Union County, before promoting to sergeant in District 8.  He promoted to lieutenant in District 3, and in 1993 to captain in charge of training.  Like Col. Lequire, Everhart worked as both the major of administration and field operations before becoming colonel.

Col. Kenneth Everhart
photo by Melissa McGraw
“Everhart was also one of our recruit instructors.  His PT could be brutal, but he always led the PT by participating - he did everything he expected us to do - a trait that he exhibited as a supervisor.  We worked in the same platoon when he was a sergeant in District 8.  He was very gregarious and always took time to talk with us when we visited the office.”  DC
                                                                                                                      
Floyd O. (Dale) Caveny, Jr is a native of Cleveland County.  After a period of working in a body shop, he applied and was accepted into the NCWRC’s last pre-service school in 1984.  In 1985, he was signed to Graham County in District 9.  He transferred to Rutherford County before promoting to sergeant and later lieutenant in D-7.  He promoted to colonel in June 2010 and retired in March 2014.  He is a graduate of Western Carolina University.

Dale Caveny - 1985

Col. Dale Caveny
photo by Melissa McGraw
Jon Evans was promoted to colonel in April 2014.  A native of Mebane, he graduated from N.C. State University and worked for 1 1/2 years as a police officer in Raleigh.  A member of the North Carolina National Guard from 1990-1996, he served with C Company, 1/120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Brigade and later with A Company, 1/119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Brigade.  He went to work as a wildlife officer in 1996 and was stationed in District 1.  He later transferred to District 3 before promoting to sergeant in District 5.  He then promoted to captain and was in charge of training.  He is a graduate of  the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Land Management Training Program and the N.C. Justice Academy’s Management Development Program.

Col. Jon Evans
photo by Melissa McGraw
“I recall Jon from recruit school when I was an instructor.  Even then he assumed a leadership role as platoon leader.  Later, we worked together as instructors in both recruit and in-service training.  I have always enjoyed conversations with Jon and continue to value his insight.” DC
                                                                
Colonel Evans pointed out the names of fallen wildlife officers to his son, Andrew, at the fallen officer memorial at the NC Justice Academy in Salemburg, NC.

Ben Meyer was promoted to colonel in September 2022. Col. Meyer is a native of Garner, North Carolina and a graduate of Garner High School. He attended N.C. State University where he played football and received a degree in Fish and Wildlife Science. At the time of his promotion Col. Meyer is a 22-year veteran of the agency. He served as the assistant training director for four years where he was responsible for both recruit and in-service training for all officers. In his last assignment he was the Major of Support Services.


Photo: NC Wildlife Resources Commission


***

As I researched information for this post, I tried to determine if there were commonalities that would led to an officer becoming chief or colonel.  None are apparent to me (except that they are a goodlooking bunch).  I encourage you to share any recollections you have of any of these men in the comment section below.
L-R Dale Caveny, Bobby Tatum, Roger Lequire, Kenneth Everhart, Gene Abernathy
2012 Recruit Graduation NC Justice Academy, Salembury NC
photo by Geoff Cantrell

Sunday, November 30, 2014

A Call to Action

Back in June I wrote about the proposed legislation to turn deer "farming" over to the N.C Department of Agriculture.  There was considerable opposition to that bill, but an amended version was later inserted as part of the 2014 Appropriations Act.  That legislation allowed the NCWRC to retain control of both wild and captive cervids (deer, elk, etc.), but spelled out that the NCWRC must pass regulations that reflect the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidelines for the importation of cervids from other states.

On November 18, 2014 the House Select Committee on Regulatory Authority and Operations of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission met in Raleigh to hear concerns from deer farmers.  (Note: There are 37 licensed captive cervid facilities in North Carolina.  Some are zoos or zoo-type facilities that aren’t farming cervids in the truest sense.  The majority of the rest are hobbyists).  While elected officials heard a variety of complaints from these “farmers,” in spite of some legislator’s requests to hear from NCWRC officials, committee chair Rep. Roger West would not allow wildlife officials to speak.


Now, round two of these committee meetings is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Graham County.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with North Carolina geography, the community of Stecoah was the epicenter of a multi-year covert wildlife investigation into the illegal harvest of bears.  Since the arrests from that investigation in 2013, those charged (or their mamas or wives), have cried in unison a chorus of "It ain't fair."  Yet, after review by the state’s district attorney and the U.S. Attorney, actions were deemed fair and did not violate the law.  So, in light of the hammering given the NCWRC at the November meeting in Raleigh, and the location of this next scheduled meeting, one doesn’t have to speculate much that the cries of, “It ain’t fair” will once again echo across Stecoah Valley.

Linda Crisp - mother of convicted defendant Chad Crisp and wife of convicted defendant David Crisp
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJiRSX9r9eM
The NCWRC and its Division of Law Enforcement are professionals.  While it may be uncomfortable to hear their actions questioned, I am confident that they are open to questions and will offer explanations for any actions taken by the agency.  But, they have to be allowed to respond.

Wayne LaPierre
from
www.nraontherecord.org
Rev. Al Sharpton
from
www.sodahead.com
The tactic of challenging governmental agencies actions without listening to, or allowing a response, is currently in vogue.  Those on the extreme right would rather scream, “storm troopers,” jack-booted thugs,” “Ruby Ridge,” or any other right-wing rhetoric than to hear an opposing viewpoint.  Those on the left cry out just as loud, but they blame the system rather than pointing to an individual’s responsibility for their actions.  Maybe the Rev. Al Sharpton and NRA VP Wayne LaPierre will show up in Stecoah.  Now would be a meeting worth attending!

So, what can we do?  I encourage you to contact the members of this legislative committee and respectfully ask them to allow an even presentation of facts, and for them to question the validity and source of those facts.  Informed decisions cannot be made without all available knowledge.  The contact information below was obtained from N.C. General Assembly website.  The committee members are:

Chair   Rep. Tom Murry
            Tom.Murry@ncleg.net
            P. O. Box 1054
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-865-9993

Chair   Rep. Roger West
            Roger.West@ncleg.net
            P. O. Box 160
Marble, NC 28905
828-837-5246

            Rep. Leo Daughtry
            Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net
5 Lakeview Place
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-934-7265

Rep. Jimmy Dixon
P. O. Box 222
Warsaw, NC 28398
910-590-1740

Rep. Mike Hager
300 N. Salisbury St., Room 304
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-733-5749

Rep. Susan Martin
1407 Kenan St., NW
Wilson, NC 27893
252-285-2060

Rep. Annie Mobley
353 South Church Rd.
Ahoskie, NC 27910
252-332-5463

Rep. Garland Pierce
21981 Buie St.
Wagram, NC 28396
910-369-2844

Rep. Mitchell Setzer
P. O. Box 416
Catawba, NC 28609
828-241-3570

Rep. Ken Waddell
515 E. 1st Ave.
Chadbourn, NC 28431
910-654-3734


Monday, November 24, 2014

Two Weeks to Live

Last weekend I dreamed I was dying.  In the dream, I had gone to the doctor who laid out the prognosis in no nonsense fashion – I would be dead in two weeks, but would remain “healthy” until the last moment.  Or, I could go through a treatment plan that would give me an extra month, but I would be sick most of the time.  That was the first choice – an easy one.  I chose the two weeks healthy and went home wondering what to do next.  I don't recall feeling sad or scared in the dream.  But, I knew there were things I needed to complete before moving on.

The dream was very vivid and woke me with a start at 4:00 a.m.  I flopped around in the bed for over an hour, wrestling with the question of what I would do if I really only had two weeks left.  Two weeks are 14 days and 14 days are only 336 hours.  I stared at the ceiling and wondered how would I spend those fleeting hours?

I thought about my grandkids.  Peter, age 4, would probably have a few vague memories of me.  Addie at 2 wouldn’t remember me at all.  Jackson, he’s just a few weeks old and I would be nothing but a hazy image in an old photo.

Peter
So, I figured the first thing is to shore up those memories with Peter.  Since it was just a dream, I chose to set it in the summer months.  I would take Peter to Ocracoke.  We would sit on the ferry dock and catch Pinfish until the ferry arrived, then we would wave to the folks on the ferry.  I would called him "Cephas" my special name for him.  Then we would feed the gulls.  Elizabeth would snap many photos.
Addie
I would take Addie to Pullan Park in Raleigh.  We would ride the carousal all afternoon, switching from horse to tiger to horse with each new ride.  Maybe the carousal tune would lodge somewhere in the recesses of her malleable mind so that whenever she heard it in the future, a faint memory of war horses and ostriches and an old bald guy would come to mind.  Deja vu. 

Jackson
Jackson would have nothing to remember.  So, we would go to the Linville Gorge, on the Table Rock side, and I would tell him about hiking into the gorge with my friend Toad.  John would video the conversation so Jackson could watch it when he was older.  Like Peter, I want Jackson to say and remember, “Papa had a friend named Toad.”

As I lay there in bed, I went through a list of family and friends that I would like to visit one last time before kicking over.  It would make for a busy two weeks.  I doubt I would waste much of it asleep.

The thing that struck me most was that not only did I want to visit all these people, I also wanted them to know how I felt about them.  Later that day I spent four or five hours traveling alone which gave me some time to assess what all of that meant and means.

I determined that how we would spend those last two weeks says much about what is important to us.  We could easily be self-absorbed and spend the time doing the things we always wanted to do.  Heck, we could put it on a credit card and let someone else worry about it when we’re gone.  I have taken the love languages assessment and my languages are “quality time” and "words of affirmation.”  So, it makes sense that I want to spend time with people I care about and to let them know their value to me.

Our fragile, impending mortality has been the fodder of songs.  Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying reflects on what “I would do if I could do it all again.”   Nickelback narrowed it down to If Today Was Your Last Day.  It would be hard to squeeze it all in in just one day.  I’m glad I got two weeks.

I woke Amy after wallowing around for over an hour.  She was a pretty good sport to listen to me wonder about my last two weeks.  Her advice at 5:30 a.m. made perfect sense: we should never put off spending time with people we love and should never leave without them knowing what they mean to us.

What would you do if you only had two weeks left to live?