Tag: Technology

TommyLog – Give Blood – Selfless Service

Hey Kids it’s dad, and today I did something a little bit different. Today I went and donated blood. It is been a long long time since I donated blood. I honestly didn’t even want to do it. But their phone calls convince me that I needed to give blood. I had a bad experience many years ago, my own fault. I did some strenuous work after donating blood, and I got sick. I own that.

But I did it. I donated blood. The people there could not be nicer. The most simple process. Show your ID, answer some questions, get your finger prick and blood pressure checked. Donate blood! Then you get punch and cookies. What a deal.

It wasn’t till I was walking away that it really hit me. I just did something for somebody, that they couldn’t do for themselves. People who donate blood give of themselves. It’s a totally selfless act of service.

Made me think of other service. Opportunities where I crab and kick and scream before hand, but then I’m so thankful that I went and did it.

Thank you to the community blood Center and for all the volunteers and hard workers.

I’ll be back!

TommyLog – Struggles Make You Stronger

Hey Kids, it’s Dad. Boy has it been a whirlwind few weeks. Grandma and grandpa coming to town, graduations, summer school starting, meeting new cousins, Drew’s baptism! Man we sure have been busy. But I’ve also been slacking on my TommyLog duties. I love doing these videos and for some reason I just haven’t had it… But now I’ve got it. I’m here!!

 

The Clifford family is full of struggles. We all struggle. Madeline, Clara, Tommy, Emma, Drew, mom and dad. We each have our own personal, financial, work and relationship struggles. Absolutely nobody is immune to struggles.

We all have confrontation also. I don’t like confrontation and unless I have facts and data. I always like to write out my thoughts. Helps me organize and be fair to both sides of the equation. Sometimes it takes days weeks and maybe even months of thinking and writing and rewriting to get my thoughts out straight. I was talking with a good friend this morning regarding confrontation. Few people like confrontation. I’m not good at it. But I’m trying to get better. I’m trying not to make it about me. If I make it about growing stronger together, things seem to work out better.

But remember, our struggles make us stronger!

 

TommyLog – Mountain to Climb – Be More Like Richard

Hey Kids it’s Dad, and today I want to talk about something really special that happened at Clara’s graduation. I went there expecting to be a teary eyed mess watching my daughter cross the stage. I was certainly a teary-eyed mess, but not for that reason. Sometimes it’s the unexpected things that catch you off-guard.  This unexpected tender moment happened when Clara’s elementary school friend Richard took the stage to get his certificate. You see Richard has special needs and is been in a wheelchair all his life. Clara and Richard have been good friends since fourth grade. Clara would sit next to him at lunch and went over all just be his friend. Clara has always had a warm spot in her heart for Richard.

OK back to the story. So when Richard’s mom wheeled him up to the podium to get his diploma, the whole audience was silent. One of the people on stage brought Richards walker up so he could walk to get his diploma. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house with yours truly leading the way. It was an amazing moment. Sadly Richard was not able to completely walk to get his diploma. But that’s not the point of the discussion. The point is how high of a mountain he had to climb to get where he was. I’ve been to high school, I know the amount of effort needed to graduate. And I know many of those kids coasted through high school, I know I did.

But then I look at Richard, and what he was able to accomplish. He did things no one thought he would ever be able to do and now he’s a high school graduate!

Kids we all have mountains to climb. But we need to give it our all. Richard gave everything he had to get where he is today. We all need to use Richard as our example. We all need to be a lot more like Richard!

TommyLog – Graduation Day – You Did It!!

Hey Kids, it’s Dad and today is Clara Eleanor Clifford’s High School Graduation day. What a joy to be able to attend and watch her shine. Today is all about you and your magnificent achievements. You are graduating #3 in your class. You make your mom and I so proud!

You are such a light to the world and everyone who meets you – knows exactly why. Keep Shining bright Clara!

TommyLog – Senior Scholarship Awards Night

Hey Kids it’s Dad and for today’s Tommy log I want to talk to you about Clara’s senior scholarship dinner. Every year Little chute high school, and Little Chute Career Pathways Academy have an end of the year scholarship dinner. This year’s dinner was amazing. There were over 70 scholarships given out during the 3 hour program. Scholarships ranging from $250 all the way up to full four-year ride scholarships were given out. Clara walked away with seven scholarships. What an amazing proud Dad moment.

Congratulations Clara and congratulations to all the award winners. What an all star group and and remember kids that hard work pays off!!