[Hollerin'] Hey Dads!

I'm sorry for this string of video posts. I know some people don't like them.

Lately, things going on with me are too personal or too political, both of which I don't write in depth about. Sooooo, I give you this PSA that happens to be adorable!

For SAHD's and dads that work out of the home:

P.S.A. Speeding Kills

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone.

Fourth time in just a couple months. Dang, how could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit just this once."

Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct ."

Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What did you clock me at?"

"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the car"

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.

The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad.

It would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.

Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost?

Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke?

Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

Dear Jack,

Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again.

A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left.

"Bob"

Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness.

The Gratitude Campaign

We seem to have hand gestures for just about every emotion.

Don't hold back using this one.

Lori, this post is for your son, Brian Jolley.

Restores My Faith ... In Kindness

General public can be so cruel. Age, race, educational background, I think most of us have seen it come from all directions. Poking fun or becoming annoyed at the challenged or handicapped. Kids can be so mean, but I have seen adults be just as cruel. Sometimes it isn't just what they are doing, it's as much as what they're not doing.

Cas has a son with autism. He is 19 years old. Cas has written beautiful stories about her son. She has also shared some that are so sad. The way people mistreat her and her son when they are out in public.

Maybe it's ignorance or fear that brings bad behavior out in people.

But not all people are like that.

Cas posted this video. It's Disability Awareness Day at Fenway Park. This boy, with challenges, tries to make it through the national anthem, but gets a case of the giggles. The whole stadium helps him out.

I giggled with him and I smiled knowing the ignorant people that don't know how to embrace differences, are out numbered by those who do.

I know you'll smile too.