"It's a boy!"

In the old days it was a surprise! The first thing Cinda & I looked for as our children came into this world was it a boy or girl and count fingers & toes! Being present for the first two and being over joyed with" rose bud lips" Jessica(she was the prettiest one at birth), and Dallas was the biggest at 9lbs 12 ounces.
After watching the Doctor deliver the first two, I decided "I could do that!" So when it came Punks turn I did the honors of delivering her myself, with some help from Cinda of course.
Now a days with ultra sound you can find out almost everything important as to the health of the baby in the first few months . It's amazing!
This being the case, yesterdays highly anticipated call from Hunk and Punk was thrilling!
"It's a boy!" Pa Pa Wid's first grandchild more importantly is also very healthy!

Wid

"He really didn't need me!"

My son Dallas and wife Em have purchased their first home! Cute,well kept, nice area, and a good deal! My long time friend Tom from sponsor, Keller Williams Realty, was a big help!
As Dallas left for work today I told him"good job on negotiating the deal!" He said "thanks, it was easy!"
All of a sudden I realized"he really didn't need me!"
Bitter sweet I guess. But, I plan on being around for awhile......just in case!

Wid

"We must not forget!"

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the trials and tribulations, and the peaks and valleys,
I must admit I fell prey to "not taking care of business."
A spur of the moment trip to San Diego for my Mother-in-laws birthday, being involved in making an offer on my sons first home, and an impromptu BBQ at my house last night, I neglected to pay proper regard to the true meaning of the Memorial Day Weekend! All poor excuses.
With no disrespect intended to my late father, a Pearl Harbor survivor, and all our fallen warriors, as well as those serving us now, my deepest admiration and thank you is extended from the depths of my soul!"We must not forget" that without their sacrifice we would not have the chance to live in a country of great opportunity and FREEDOM!
SALUTE!

Wid

"I can remember when...."

Yesterdays meeting at The Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation making preparations for the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games reminded me of how far a vision can take you!
Two years ago we moved the Games to the Valley of the Sun from up north. Last year, in our sixth year, we had 1,910 athletes from 69 tribes,119 cities, 21 states, ages 6-78. There were 76 basketball teams ,35 softball teams, 26 volleyball teams, and 100 cross country and track athletes.
The largest Native American event of its kind in the country!
We simply out grew northern Arizona! We were in Page with softball,Tuba City with basketball and Flag with volleyball and track and field.
Shoot,I can remember when we started with a hand full of basketball teams in Tuba City and a few softball teams in Flagstaff.

Wid

"It seems like a cool organization!"

How well do you know your neighbors? Well, I probably don't know mine as well as I should.
Mr. Wilson (hat and eyes over the fence from TOOL TIME) and Julie seem like real nice people.
We have fun exchanging quips back and forth. I happened to pass along the fact that our premier A to Z Games TV show was going to be on Sunday evening....Julie stopped me this morning coming in from my workout, excitedly saying,"we watched your show! It seems like a cool organization!"
The end of my run was much easier to say the least.

Wid

"I hope it fits!"

I think I want to be a yellow school bus driver when I grow up! Every morning as I come off the mountain I see my man on his way to pick up all the neighborhood kids. We've become good friends even if it's just a thumbs up, a honk or a wave! It occurred to me this morning that he has a tremendous responsibility to deliver his precious cargo safely and on time!
The analogy that came over me this morning was the factor of accountability that we have to our precious cargo---my staff, our commissioners, board, athletes, sponsors, and volunteers. In delivering our first TV show "in the can"today, I hope we have done justice to all of our cargo!
When I flagged my bus driver down this morning, and gave him a t-shirt, my feeling was in step with the meaningful importance of our first show----"I hope it fits!"

Wid

ps Sunday evening, 5:30 pm, AZ TV

"My mother is better than yours!'

Did you ever stop to realize how competitive things are? Competition is the American way of life. Is that good or bad, or is that just the way it is? I'm not sure.
Anyway, here's my pitch for the playground-------"my mom is better than your mom!".
Cinda, our children have been blessed with a mom who is unconditionally loving, caring, supportive, and available. Available...that sounds cold but as moms you kinda go unappreciated until your needed----Thanks for being there---we love you.
Happy Mothers Day to All!

Wid

"They can never take it away from you!"

This is a big week! A to Z Games ,our own TV show, premiers Sunday evening, May 18, at 5:30 pm on AZ TV. A long time coming and a lot of work......but that's OK! If it was easy anybody could do it!
You know, I was thinking how important it is to do the right thing. My parents, disregarding our sometimes tumultuous relationship, at least I knew the difference between right and wrong-----hopefully I have passed that along to my own children.
I have been misread on many occasions throughout my life. Arrogant, egotistical,driven and the likes,but at the end of the day you still have to" WIN."
And when you win, "they can never take it away from you."
That's life in the big city.

Wid

"Without your health you are nothing!"

My streak of 4 years five months and 9 days of exercising is in tack! Now, I don't kill myself everyday, but I do something.It was great to see my Dr. of 20 years this morning for my annual physical. My resting heart rate was 48, blood pressure 120/70, my weight was up 5lbs from a year ago(damn), but Doc was very pleased in general. We will wait for blood work results.
On another note, I'm due for that dreaded colon cancer screening. Wow...just the idea of it gives me the willies, but never the less it's part of the deal. Because in the big picture "without your health you are nothing!"

Wid

"Sharks"

Have you seen the commercial depicting a high level" Board Room" infested with "Sharks?"Or Donald Trumps TV show The Apprentice when he says " I'll see you in the Board Room, and someone will be fired!"
Tomorrow is my board meeting and its anything but Shark infested. I truly look forward to seeing each and every board member. They have been extraordinarily supportive over the 13 years I've been the Executive Director. An amazing group to say the least, plus I have some good news to pass along to them!
No "Sharks" here!

Wid

"You Raise Me Up"

The last time I heard this song in a public forum was when I danced with my youngest daughter Erika on her wedding day. Today at my friend Ron's memorial the words took on new meaning. The service was remarkable. The Minister was quick to remind us that we are all "clay pots".....disintegrating over time and someday turning to dust----the end in this world coming in different ways at different times. I was reminded of my own mortality. My "bullet proof" mentality was being challenged.
All the more reason to trust that our new TV show A to Z Games, bolstered by Ron's encouragement, to support my vision, receives my best effort. Ron, this one is for you!
Tomorrow Cinda and I are off to San Jose for another memorial----cousin Lynn. Sure to be equally inspiring and meaningful.
"You Raise Me Up."

Wid