That’s a little diddy I made up while on my two-mile trek every morning at the nearby nature trail. Some jogging up the hills we lovingly named Agony & Heartbreak. Mostly fast-paced walking – about 4700 steps. We have been at it for some time. Having a local fitness trainer – Veronica coming tomorrow to start some accountability. Mary is eagerly participating. I think about the newest rise in the Covid situation and ask the universe to look after you. I hope all is well with you, Arun and Rose.
As a follow-up to my question regarding PSA 13, I have recently received the results of an MRI, which I attach. As it looks very possibly like early prostate cancer, still encapsulated, it does show elongated abutment to the prostate wall. My next understanding needs to be my options for post-biopsy. The steady rise in PSA, in the absence of other symptoms, is enough to nudge me toward some pro-active measure of radiation or otherwise. I would rather not be even a few years older facing this, and a 10-year longevity window if left untreated is not an option. Every other health measure on me is not only WNL but felt by….only a few.
On another note, the new launch of Rapidgo Driver is hours away. One of my coders has been struck by Covid in Pakistan, and I am waiting on one last link to connect everything. I attach the pitch deck created by my friend in India. I saw Uber’s first pitch deck when they were asking for not much more than we are, pretty funny looking back to 2007 marketing. Stay safe, my friend. The world needs you.
People often ask what they thank their younger self for. Today, I am grateful for all the times I put on running shoes and went for a jog on a regular basis. The memories of running the streets of Guelph, Elora, Fergus, Oakville, Bangalore, India, Calcutta, Berlin, Germany, Istanbul, Cairo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, and more.
After reaching my seventy-third trip circumnavigating the sun, I am proud to say I have put on my running shoes again. I look forward to my ninety-year-old self thanks me for what I am doing each day now. I am proud of myself.
Look for the positive in every situation and in every manner possible. Recently, I struggled for anything positive in the current events of my life. Two aha moments occurred. One, I realized that by simply now knowing about the possible reconning, I had power. I no longer had to guess what was happening. Two, I realized that it was now in the past and any future impact was up to me. It provided enough insight and stimulus to my renascent attitude of begin again.
As I reflect on the past year, I am encouraged and impressed with my achievements. I await the completion of the latest pitch deck creation by Vash. His synthesis of my manifestation for Rapidgo Driver’s financial model has been both exhilarating and vindicating. Having a complete pitch deck to send to potential family office investors will be a game-changer.
I now feel there is something really important to write home about. Just over twenty-four months ago I launched Rapidgo Driver as a corporation and website. The transition has been nothing less than amazing.
An idea developed from, “finding drivers for Amazon type delivery companies” through, “creating an app for Rapidgo.ca and its drivers” to adding a Delivery Driver Directory, to adding a food menu app to include drivers, to software as a service with in-app ads, cross-app ads, adding market analysis of last-mile delivery, to “First-party platform solutions for Last-Mile Mobility.
A focus of mine has been to develop the Mary Boleyn Hospice Foundation Inc. Included in the financial model for Rapidgo Driver are contributions from profits to be donated to the Foundation. My hope is that Clara will someday be part of that story.
When you find yourself, dragging yourself, kicking and screaming in the direction of a goal you know damn well is good for you, get excited, you are breaking an old habit that blocks your road to happiness. Focus on the glow of how the better results feel and push through. The new habit will prevail with less pain of discipline.
Why do I struggle is, as always, the wrong question. Like, why do bad things happen to good people? The question should always be what am I going to do about it? Always go to where people are helping because there you will find hope.
Today I reach the end of my seventy-second year and begin my
seventy-third. My best friend and lover sleeps. I habitually write.
My Pop was this age when I was twelve. That’s right. Pop was
sixty when I was born. In today’s coronavirus world, he and I could be sacrificed
for the survival of younger generations. Times have not only changed, but there
is also now a paradigm shift like none other in recent history.
Examining the past to find direction for the future seems to
fail to provide answers today. There are those who dwell on the past as if repeatedly
revisiting it will somehow bring solace to their anxiety of fear of failure and
loss. Especially, in times of crisis, MY go-to for peace of mind is hope for
the future and gratitude for the present. How else can you leave the woodpile
higher than the way you found it?
I enjoy having huge, scary goals. Especially the ones when I
hear some parenting message in my head asking sarcastically, what makes you think
you can do that, kind of goals. Putting my focus on where I am headed not only
gives me a path to follow, it examples for others the confidence they need to define
their vision for their future. As is often announced by elders, be the example
you want to see in the world.
Which brings me to this incredible day. Grateful, I am, for having
my health, being safe, loved and in love, and other than some inconveniences,
having the best days of my life so far.
Indeed, this comes with some reflection and evaluation of
the present moment. My last sibling brother passed very recently. My only child
was taken by Cystic Fibrosis a couple of years back. That puts this birthday as
somewhat special for the memory banks. No immediate family member will ever
call to wish me a happy birthday. This is not a lament, simply an observation. By
now, I have folks from far off continents remembering and sending birthday greetings
out of love and respect, rather than obligation.
Happiness can be so relative. Mostly, the word is associated
with an event that brought some feelings of bliss. But how often have you been
able to say day after day, I am the happiest I have been in my life? For me,
living the dream is not a trite message of contraire. Several times each day I
find myself requesting a cosmic pinch to question my reality.
Before you find yourself muttering, lucky you, I remind you
of a line by the Rock in a recent movie. His childhood friend remarked that he
had been much less physically fit in high school and asked how he had gotten so
buff. His answer: I worked out 6 hours a day, seven days a week, for the last thirty
years. As we all learn in life, it goes Dream, Struggle, Prize and the Struggles
provide the contrast needed to verily give contentment to the prize.
As the world resolves the latest crisis, a previous world will
slip into repeated sound bites. Rapid change is inevitable. Bills Gates book
1999, Business at the Speed of Thought comes to mind. The elders who have
learned to embrace accelerated change may be the thought leaders of today and
as well, the encouragers for the current arriving generation.
Be safe and responsible for yourself and others.
Happy Birthday to me! Seventy-two successful trips around
the sun.
This post is to celebrate & commemorate the abundant life of my sister, Molly (Mary) Virginia Bitner (nee Frank). As Molly was seven years older, she contributed to much of my toddler years while Mom (Nana) worked. Throughout my life, my sister was a standard of hope and strong continuity.
Throughout her life, her family came first. She was a saint to care for our mother for decades in Raleigh. Along with Nana, Molly was the most gleeful when surrounded by her grandchildren.
When my sister drew me back from Canada to NC in 2013, her first mission was to coerce me into driving her to Wilmington and the ocean. Molly was very connected to universal consciousness and knew the importance of grounding during intensive life changes. I will miss her every day for the balance of my life. I will add stories to this posting over time. Please leave messages below.
Molly was all about “circling the wagons” as a family. When my daughter, also Mary, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, my sister was there to understand the seriousness of the diagnosis and insisted we would conquer this together.
When I told her several months ago that I had created the non-profit Mary Boleyn Hospice Foundation Inc., she responded, I wish I had the strength to help on this project. I promised her a permanent foundation remembrance for her legacy.
For those wanting to donate to the Foundation in Molly Bitner’s name, please follow the link below to celebrate Molly’s life with the gift of a Thumbs Up TaDa mug to a friend or family member for a “boisterous celebration of achievement” moment. One of Molly’s memorable praises to all her grandchildren was always, you get two “atta girls or atta boys for that.
Services are on Friday 12/6 at 1 pm at Lifepointe Church North Raleigh.
Here is a collection of photos from an archive with numerous stories and descriptions. Many more to follow.
Molly was the nickname that stayed with her for her entire life. She was named Mary Virginia Frank at birth.
Molly lived for her children and grandchildren. That is all she talked about most of the time.
Fact about Molly. She hated, yes, loathed to fly. When my Molly McGregor was diagnosed with cancer, my sister flew to Toronto, Canada and to Guelph to help out with the accounting of Lambda Crystal Inc. I knew of another time that she flew with her husband Dick and left fingernail marks in his arm from squeezing.
I know she also flew with Heidi to a physician in the midwest who helped with Heidi’s ailments.
This was at a family gathering in Stow, Ohio. Mom (Nana) Molly, Mike & James
When I returned from Canada in 2013, my sister Molly told me I needed to go to the beach to relax and check-in with the universe for grounding after a harsh separation.
This cupboard followed my sister around her entire life. My Pop & I made this cupboard when I was about 8 years old. I remember having to crawl inside to attach the drawer slides. I remember Molly having this in their Stow house in the kitchen. Molly had the top drawer full of very carefully sorted coupons. She was the queen of coupons. She raised her kids on a limited budget by carefully spending the earnings she & Dick could muster up. The cupboard ended up in Kari’s house. Live on!
After Molly had a stroke she was in several nursing homes. This was a dining room in one. She told me that day that she was tired. Because we talked about the future, I pointedly asked her if she was ready for a new adventure? She said yes. So I said let’s take a picture of you waving goodbye to this one and on to the next adventure. She loved it and asked me to hold her head up so we could see her face. God love her.
You may not see it, but brother Mike is being told not to make “horns” behind Molly’s head. Mom was always telling us boys to “settle down”.
Fun fact. Dick & Molly went to Florida with me to a network marketing convention, circa 1991-92. She was not impressed.
This is real progress. I have taken another step in understanding how the social media world functions. Here are several things I have learned in the last few days.
As most inventive ideas come from frustration, the manifestation of Rapidgo Driver was no different.
For many years I had drivers call me wanting a job to drive for Rapidgo Inc. Each time, I would patiently explain the type of vehicle they would need, the type of insurance they would need and may other basic lessons they would need to start as a delivery driver. Over the years, I often voiced that I should create a course and have them take it before calling me back.
Well, I finally did it. I create an educational website for all the folks that want to earn money as a delivery driver of some kind.
Check out the current stage of the site, as it changes rapidly…get it?