I will always be honest with you, the listeners. It’s who I am. I drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t raise as much hell as I used to.
But I always run a fair game.
Recently a listener called me up and wanted to take me to the mat for the rules of a contest that we were running. The first freeze contest.
“Why four days in advance Sean, that’s kinda shitty,” the male caller started off with his rant. “I should be able to put my guess whenever I want.”
“Well, it is our contest and in the interest of fairness and not allowing people to snipe a trip we put these rules in place,” I replied.
“I think that it’s unfair. F&^*( you, Sean” and he hung up on me.
That was juvenile I thought and then I thought some more. I wanted to *69 him back and say “Hey %$*#()@#(), just because you tried to angle-shoot me and it didn’t work, don’t be ticked at me.” But I didn’t because no matter what happens he will have my opinion and I will never be right in his world.
That’s beyond my control.
What is my control is providing rules that are fair, explaining them and posting them on this website and also at our studios during contest periods for people to check. I always try and let someone pick the name , if it is a drawing, for I would rather not have everyone in the contest looking at me and saying ‘You didn’t draw my name you SOB.” I strive for fairness and honesty. When I make a mistake, I make it good as best as I can and try my best to make everyone happy, knowing however that I will be unable to.
For example, I know that in the morning that I will be surrounded by people that waited until after the First Freeze happens that people will put contest entries in and say that they are the winner, and I will be the one to disappoint them with the rules with the 4 day window rule.
Nothing is ever fair in life and there is nothing I can do, nor say that will please these people.
But the same people who complain, didn’t want to play fair in the first place.
Categories: Instant Sean, People I admire Tags:
As we were driving home from our trip to somewhere, Joanna started taking pictures of clouds of dust that were crossing the road. They were powerful and amazing and a moment that would have been forgotten if I hadn't reached in the camera bag as I was driving and told her, "get that".
Categories: Instant Happiness, People I admire Tags: Inspiration, Instant Happiness, Photography
Why are the puppies in the car? And why are we sad?
Late Friday night I was called by my family to tell of my grandmother condition. She’d been put into a hospital for an apparent heart attack. She was in good spirits but the doctors weren’t telling everyone all the details as they were still running tests.
I decided that I would call my parents and we would find a flight that I could come down on after the 4th on Broadway parade. Normally I would blow off any promotional appearances, but my grandmother who I’d talked to reminded me about how Grandpa felt about making a commitment and keeping it.
So I decided to leave on a 2P flight (one way) and Joanna would leave with the dogs after the parade and meet me in Sherman.
Then the floods unfolded on the 4th on Broadway parade and a normal 2 hour endeavour turned into a 43 min parade as most of the floats cancelled.
So Joanna and I went home and changed clothes, thinking about the 7A call from my mom that I thought was the one that would tell me that I had made a mistake not to come Friday night and that she was gone.
But good fortune smiled upon me as Mom , Dad and the family was on the way up to Sherman and wanted me to make the flight ontime. Since it would have been longer for me to wait for the flight, we cancelled the ticket and I started to drive with Joanna on the way carefully through the rain and water logged roads to DFW.
With each moment Joanna would comfort me and yet I had nothing to say back to her.
When Tara died, I felt cheated. I didn’t get to say goodbye.
When my grandfather died, I felt relieved for he was in an enormous amount of pain, and I didn’t want him to suffer.
When Patrick died, though I was heartbroken, I had talked to him a week before and we told each other how much we missed and loved each other. It was perfect.
So I didn’t know if I was going to be cheated, relieved , heartbroken or a combination of the three.
But as we drove up to the hospital, I felt like the clouds were breaking, and the smile on my grandmothers face was perfect.
“I told you I’d wait for you Sean,” she said as I held her close.
The doctors had found a 5mm aortic aneurysm and were trying to do their best to treat it with drugs.
My heart fell as she only would eat a little when dinner would come. But she made me smile with her excitement to see the wedding photographs that she hadn’t seen yet.
Yesterday was a good day.
As I write this, she is now in ICU struggling and fighting like the tough old bird that she is.
I pray that we have more good days than bad days and that I don’t have to return if something happens.
But as we said goodbye, I kissed her, told her how much I love her and she told me how proud she was of my family and me.
Now, nothing else matters.
Your prayers and well wishes are appreciated all but I have only one prayer for the Big Guy now:
Big Guy, if it is her time, take her into your arms, guide her from pain and let her be met at the pearly gates by my brother, my sister and my grandfather.
If it is not her time, watch over her, give her the strength to recover and finish her work here on earth.
I don’t understand your map Big Guy, I don’t understand your plan, but thanks for letting me have a special moment with her.
Sean
Categories: People I admire Tags:
My brain works a thousand miles an hour but when you are directing traffic, everything goes where it needs to be.
My soul has been hurting until you came along and smoothed over the rough and sharp portions of it, tailoring it to what we BOTH needed.
My heart had been lost, without fire or spirit, but with you I have new energy and try to find successes in every path I take.
You are my lover, my friend, my soul mate , friend and guide to my children and the one person I trust implicitly.
I love you now and forever. Though I am far from perfect you see past my flaws and see the true me, the diamond in the rough.
And for that I will always love you my dear.
How much do I love you?
Take a breath, and while you hold it imagine the millions of atoms in that one breath.
My love for you is like the collection of all the atoms in the universe.
Now exhale and remember that my love does not question, it just is.
I love you!
Sean
Categories: Instant Happiness, People I admire Tags: Joanna
A simulation of her leg... not this bad YET
Right now Joanna is passed out and I wish there was something I can do for her. Her bruise is 4″ by 8 ” and her entire body aches. If the pain in her neck doesn’t stop by Monday we will return to the doctor.
The car is totalled (according to the body shop) and we will get the official word on Monday.
I wish I could take the pain from her.
But all I can do is love her.
Categories: People I admire Tags: Accident, Joanna
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