Today is my Dad's birthday

As I tap on my keyboard I feel like I'm playing a silent piano. I'm hitting the keys but there's no music playing. I guess the notes that I get from this instrument are music for my eyes and not my ears.

At any rate the steady tapping sound still soothes my soul or maybe it's the release of wanting to communicate with someone who is really not here. At times this keyboard is my solace; my consolation. When I'm on the road, away from my wife and my son its sometimes the only form of entertainment that I have. Watching television isn't fulfilling and reading, although relaxing, its not as comforting reading what someone else has said, as it is creating words from machinations. The mere appearance of words on the screen is sometimes amazing when you think about where they've actually come from.

Seconds ago, they were pre-thoughts, not even thoughts, and then they have become record. They have a true place in time. As John Madden would say, "AMMMMMMMMAAAAZING!"

Today I hopped on a plane and made my way to Chicago for a seminar. I had a 1 hour layover in Atlanta and was working non-stop. I was on the phone in the airport, to the airport and while I was in the air, I was tapping away at the keys trying to get some work done and now here I am at the end of the day, with a 5:30 am wake up call in my near future, tapping away at the keys.

And the crazy thing is - I love it. The worst part of my job, is the travel. Being away from my wife and son, is the worst. It's comforting to reach over and know my wife is there. Sometimes I do that when I'm in a hotel and I wake up for a moment to collect and gather myself to remember where I am.

I countdown the days and hours until I get back home. I can't wait to walk through the door to see Traci and Lil' Rufus and he tries to stumble his way to me, whining because my wife has beat him to me first :-) The thought of it puts a smile on my face.

I'll be back home on Sunday. This seminar goes until Monday. Somebody asked me why I'm not staying until Monday and I replied, "Rufus".

Being away from home sometimes is a necessity, but I can tell you this - Its for the birds!!

As you can tell from tonight's post, I wanna be back home with the "fam", but the road calls - and once again I've answered.

I'll be in the gym on the 10th floor in about 4 more hours, then its an all day affair and more work YAY!!! :-)

But I love it. :-)

Take it easy and remember........... All Power!!

P.S. Today is my pop's Birthday. So Happy Birthday Pop!
Feliz cumpleanos papi. Dios te bendiga.

Post-Party Recovery

I'm still trying to get myself together after the wonderful but hectic weekend we had during Rufus' Birthday Bash. I was able to take off a week before the party to get all the preparations in place but come Monday the following week, I've been back to work....and work is fighting back with a vengeance. It seems that after my vacation, I'm making up for being away for so long with extra long shifts and a busier than average schedule of patients to see.

Along with work, I'm still staying active with church activities and even had time to be the Team Doctor for the Judo Senior National Championships last weekend. Traveling from home to Miami two times a day for several day took a toll on me and on the family...both Rhadi and Rufus are down for the count...napping!

Rhadi had a successful tournament in his role as coach with both of his clients winning the National title and one of his clients winning a spot on the Judo World Team! Having his clients win was success enough but Rhadi was pleasantly surprised to be presented the "Doc" Counsilman Science Award during the closing ceremonies at the National Championships. His countless hours of watching and dissecting film, developing individualized training programs for his clients, and the long hours of travel to and from practice have certainly paid off. Finally, Rhadi is receiving the recognition he deserves for his loyalty and commitment to advancing the sport of Judo nationally and internationally. I'm so proud of him....as if you couldn't tell!!

We're gearing up for a busy spring season here in South Florida with family get-togethers and with preparation for the World Judo Championships in Brazil. And I might even try to squeeze my way into traveling to Rio to support the US team. We sure could use a good vacation.

Well, I've got to go and finish filling out paperwork for Rufus' first dentist visit next week. I still can't believe that it's been over a year now and Little Rufus is not so little anymore. With his new haircut he looks like a little man....ah, he's so cute! His two front teeth are just coming in and I need to get him started on a good oral hygiene program to keep his gums and teeth healthy...because I surely don't want him to suffer with cavities at such a young age.

I'll keep you up to date on Little Rufus' first dentist visit....I'll even try to take some pictures for the special occasion!

Best regards,
Traci---Little Rufus' Mom