Merry Christmas

Kindle vs Nook

My daughter wants a Nook Color for Christmas and I have to admit, I know nothing about ereaders except they exist. I have friends who have a Kindles and absolutely loves it. But other than that I have no knowledge, so if your like me and want to know what others think to help you make a decision for yourself in the future. Here is what I found out.(The information I found is from ireaderreview.) It also has not been updated since August and the Nook Color is out now so some of the information I found is a little out dated but still I found it helpful.

This Kindle 3 vs Nook review compares Kindle 3, Nook based on what we know so far. The Kindle 3 is $189 and available for preorder at Amazon (it ships August 27th).
Doing a Kindle 3 vs Nook post is a bit unfair because a Nook 2 is in the works and we really should compare Kindle 3 with Nook 2. Will update this post when it comes out.
Kindle 3 vs Nook – Areas Nook Wins
The Nook clearly beats the Kindle 3 in a few areas -
LendMe – When Publishers allow it B&N books have a LendMe feature that lets you lend an ebook once to one person (it’s basically like a single 14 day rental).
ePub support – Nook supports ePub including DRMed ePub. This is important since most major ebook stores (except Kindle Store) sell ePub books with DRM.
Library eBooks - The majority of libraries use Overdrive and lend out ePub books with DRM. Since Nook supports ePub and DRMed ePub you can read library books on it. Do check with your library to confirm ePub support and to get an idea of its ebook collection.

There are a few other Nook benefits and features you might value -
B&N Stores – When in B&N stores you are free to read any ebook for up to an hour (it’s an hour a day so you can keep going back to finish the book). B&N also has periodic promotions in its stores.
Transfer your Sony Reader library – If you’re switching from Sony Reader you can download all your purchases in ePub format and they will work on the Nook.
Transfer your eReader.com and Fictionwise.com books – Nook supports pdb format which these two bookstores use (B&N bought these two sites).

Kindle 3 vs Nook – Areas Kindle 3 and Nook are very close or in a tie
The Kindle 3 vs Nook contest is constantly evolving with software upgrades and new releases and there are lots of areas where they are basically in a tie -
eInk – They both have eInk screens (though of different screen contrasts, more on that below). eInk is easy on the eyes, readable in sunlight, and great for reading.
Price – Kindle 3 is $189 and Nook is $199.
Apps for a variety of platforms – Both Kindle and Nook have a variety of apps that let you read your books across different devices. These include Apps for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android.

The Christmas letter

Every year I get a Christmas letter from someone that reminds me of just how ordinary I am and how I didn't do anything really exciting to brag about again this year. In turn I never send out a christmas letters like others but this year I've decided to change my ways and send one out. Here it is.

Dear friends and family;

You will not believe what happened this year, while my husband was busy doing geneology we found out that he is related to the Queen of England. We informed the monarchy at once to claim our royal titles and to be put on the Christmas lists of the family. They quickly responded by sending us a letter, welcoming us into the family and inviting us over for a family get together. We fly out next April. We are so excited as you can imagine.

However, that is not the amazing part of our year. Larry and a friend decided to buy an Idaho lottery ticket on a silly whim. Next thing we knew his friend called and declared they had won 56 million dollars to split between the two of them. So needless to say my husband and I after picking up our check went to an investment banker secured some money for our childrens future (College is paid for. YAY!) And then we procured ourselves two new vehicles. I went for the more sensible car and bought a Jaguar it was hard the Mercedes almost won out, but the Jaguar I think will fit our needs better. Now Larry on the other had went for the splurge and bought a McLaren. Pictures posted below. After those purchases we decided that our home garage did not fit the needs of our new vehicles so we bought a new home. I know we were impulsive but the kids seem to love our new home and don't mind only being seen every couple of days. I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. We are!

The Benson's

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It's your right and priviledge, so get out and vote. Tuesday, Novemeber 2, 2010.

Some fun facts about voting.

1-Compared to 2000, young voters have more than doubled their turnout in the 2008 primaries and caucuses. For example, in Texas, the number of 18-29 year old voters grew 301%.

2-Research shows that young voters with college experience are much more likely to vote than their non-college counterparts. Although ½ of young Americans ages 18-29 have never enrolled in college, 79% of the young voters on Super Tuesday attended college.

3-Why do we vote on a Tuesday, and in November? Because the harvest was over and the weather wouldn't be bad enough to prevent people from traveling.

4-80% of all votes in America are counted by only two companies: Diebold and ES&S.

Sound off! Did you Vote.

the stupid things I say.

I made a delivery today for my husband to a friend of ours. He came around the corner and said my name and said, "I heard you were looking for me." And I said. Oh yeah, here it comes word vomit. I said, "What you didn't smell me." What! I took a shower before I left, did my hair, put make-up on. And I said that. Really what is it about methat makes me say the stupidest things. I couldn't even believe I had said it I smiled, our friend laughed gave me a hug took the delivery and started talking about something else. Heaven bless nice people who over look my dumb replies.

This is not the first time I've said something stupid. Oh no, it happens on weird bases, like I met one of my husbands clients once and I was looking forward to meeting this man. My sweet husband introduced us, we shook hands and and his client said to me, "It's very nice to meet you." And I said, "I bet it is." Possessed. I'm pretty sure that's what my husbands client thought. Yep he's married to a certified loon. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't even come up with some quick wit to cover my faux pas.

I need help. Please tell me you have said some wonderfully weird and horribly unexplained things at some of the most inopportuned time.

Are you ADDICTED to COMPLAINING?!

I recently talked to a friend of mine who decided to take a challenge of not cmplaining for one day and then turning that day into a week of no complaining. I smiled at the thought I don't really consider myself a complainer (so I thought.) On Tuesday morning I decided to take the challenge of not complaining for one full day. Now my friend told me that when he took this challenge it actually took him five weeks before he accomplished his goal and then it took him seven weeks before he made it a full week without complaining.

Back to me, so on Tuesday, I tried to go a full day without complaining. I made it a whole three hours before I stopped mid sentence and said to my friend. "I'm complaining."

She looked at me surprised and said, "It's okay it just me. I don't care."

I ended up explaining my new challenge I was undertaking. With greater effort I started over and made it another couple of hours before I did it again.

I have noticed since I'm trying to do this is; most conversations actually begin with a complaint of some sort. I think as a society we are addicted to the process of telling people are gripes and thrive when we get support and people agree with our complaints. The problem I can see is we don't talk about positive things 90 percent of our day is spent on complaints and negative thoughts and only 10 percent on the positive.

So take the challenge and see how you do and let me know how long it takes you to go a full twenty-four hours without a complaint. Good luck. I'll let you know when I accomplish my own goal.

If something went wrong and you were asked to evacuate your house in ten minutes of less. What would you take?

I've been pondering this very thought all day since we had a fire in my area and 1600 homes were evacuated and some of the residents got less then five minutes to leave. First, I would get my family and animals out, which retrieving my animals may take me more than five minutes in itself. (I have two dogs, two bunnies and a turtle. The last three roam free in my backyard so it would be a game of hide and seek for me to find them.) However, if I had more time I would take my legal documents and my 72 hours kits (which by the way I will be updating since this happened and making sure they have fresh food.) And why I am rounding up kids and animals, kits and documents I'm sure my sweet and helpful husband would be taking apart his computer reassuring it the whole time that everything will be all right. His computer is infact his life, and you may think I'm making fun, but I'm not. We own our own company and my husband is a graphic artist and his computer is the very thing we make a living on. So really that piece of modern technology is coming with us. I'm sure at the cost of some other precious things, but none the less you can't rebuild if you don't have a job and a way to make money.

So have you thought about it? What would you grab if you had ten minutes or less. Would it be sentimental or pratical?

The constitution had a birthday.

The constitution had a birthday it was September 17th. It most likely passed without you or I giving it much of a thought or for some even knowing it happened at all. I work in a school and I was surprised that for the most part this is not even mentioned. The very documents that makes us a country and we should hold dear is not celebrated. In school we celebrate Dr. Suess and don't get me wrong I'm all over this. But hey, should we really ignore a document that gave us rights and makes this a great place to live and gives us the freedoms other's are jealous of.

These very words we're prayed over before they put them on paper and where would we be without them?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I'm feel so lucky to be an American and I'm am grateful to live in a country that gives us writes to believe what we may and vote for who we may.

Rumbi Island's Voodoo chicken salad

I love the Rumbi Island's Voo Doo salad and I wanted to know if I could remake it for my family. (I found this recipe on line, the chef at Rumbi's gave the recipe out on Good Things Utah a few years ago.) It's really quick and easy, if you have all the ingredients to the dressing.
For the salad you need: lettuce mix, feta cheese, tomatoes, (I used canned but you can by and cut fresh) tortilla chips, chicken and the dressing.
For the dressing you need: dijon mustard, lime juice, chili paste, crushed red pepper, lite mayo, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, white sugar, minced garlic, and pureed ginger.
To make the dressing you combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl, except for the ginger. Mix with your hand mixer for about 2 minutes. Using a whisk, stir in the ginger until blended.

Enjoy here is the recipe.

Lettuce
Feta Cheese
Diced Tomatoes
Crushed Tortilla Chips or Homemade Strips
Voodoo dressing
Cooked chicken (diced, shredded, etc.)
For the dressing: (you may want to cut this recipe in half if you don't want tons of leftovers)
1/4 cup Dijon Mustard
1/4 cup Lime Juice
1/4 cup Chili Paste (found in the asian food section)
2 TBS. Crushed Red Pepper
3/4 cups Lit Mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups Sesame Oil
1 cup Rice Wine Vinegar
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1 1/2 cups White Sugar
1/4 cup Minced Garlic
1/3 cup Pureed Ginger (found in the produce aisle)
Directions: Mix all of the dressing ingredients, except the ginger, in a bowl with a hand mixer for a couple minutes. Add the ginger and stir with a whisk until well blended. Top your salad with the chicken, tortillas, feta cheese, tomatoes, and the dressing.
My family loved it. I hope yours will too.

To read, to write or to blog?

To read, to write or to blog? Whew, I don't know how to get it all done. I love to read. I have a stack of books five deep by the side of my bed just begging me to read. And oh, how I want to, but there is not enough time to read and write, which I also love to do. I have got to finish writing this book, I know how it ends and so therefore I've got to get the words down. They're screaming at me from inside my head, "just type us out and we will leave you alone." But in the corner there is a book taunting me because I'm dying to know how it ends. Its a vicious intertwined cycle of should I read, write or blog.

How to get it all done? I can't keep up. I start a blog and then I'm running through cyber space trying to see what every one else is doing in the world. Not to mention this is how I know what other writers are doing like myself, and its how I stay up on the book conferences coming my way. So see I need to be out there, but then two hours of my day is chuncked away and then my precious time is dwindled to only thirty minutes before the kids get home from school and I must write or should I read? Sheesh, I can't remember.

Pit falls

The book world is changing at such a quick pace that it is hard for some of us dreaming to be authors to catch up. With the new e-books going crazy and leaving books on the shelves self publishing and self editing seems to be what some are leaning towards.
This is what I'd like to blog about today. Self editing can be a pit fall for some authors. If your someone that has all the skills a writer needs to self edit, congratulations and I am completely jealous. I know that I am not objective enough to edit or critique my own stuff. In fact when my writing group tells me what they are envisioning my novel doing after reading the first three chapters. Sometimes I'm left scratching my head and saying; "that's not what I meant at all." We all perceive things different and I feel (again this is my personal opinion) you need to know what that is as an author.
Asking others question's is not a weakness, its a strength, because everyone of us has had life experiences that shape us and as we read books we attach to those characters we have something in common with. As authors we reach into corners and crevices of the world that we may know nothing about, but we may have someone in our critique group or friend or someone who knows someone that does. That kind of information is invaluable. So reaching out to others and letting them read something that is so personal, that it feels like you've ripped out your guts and are displaying them on a table to be examined. I know this is hard but in the end those things that are the hardest sometimes are worth it.

The best advice

What's the best advice you've ever recieved?

I don't know if this advice came from one of those sit down conversations where your discussing with your parents all of life's up and downs. But I do remember my parents saying to me, "well what do you think?" They never really ever told me after a certain age what I should do, but what did I think. This became really some of the best unspoken advice. It taught me to believe in myself and to rely on, "what did I think? I ask myself this question to this day when making big decisions. It's never what will other's think of me, will I be popular or will this make me friends. I always come back to the same sage advice, what do I think. This advice has never steered me wrong. I've always been able to live with the decisions I make because I trust myself to do what is right for me and for other's that may be affected.

Please tell me what's the best advice you've been given?

Is the glass half full or half empty

Is your glass half full or half empty with regrets?

I was out to lunch with my girlfriends when the question came up. "Do you have any regrets?" I thought and thought. My girlfriend quickly came up with her answer. She lost a brother at the age of fifteen. He was hit by a car while skateboarding. He was supposed to go the movies with her, but never showed up so they left him. This is her biggest regret. Again, I thought and thought what do I regret or wish I could change. There are so many things that I wish I had done and didn't. However, at the same time if I had done them it would changed the course of the way my life has turned out thus far. I have regrets sure. And I would like to think that I can still change things if I want.


Here's what I would do if I could go back in time. I would ask my father's advice on stocks and bonds and starting a retirement portfolio, before he passed away. I would have finished college. One day I'll go back. It's something I think about all the time. But for now those are my biggest regrets. And I guess if those are the biggest then I haven't done half bad.


So tell me what's your biggest regret?

Can it be!!!

The e-book is out selling hardback and soft covered books according to Amazon. Now, I believe this to be true. That's not what's so hard for me to believe, but what I'm hearing from other's is that they think the printing industry for books will slowly become obsolete. Can it be? I just can't imagine holding a child on my lap with my kindle in my hands and reading to them. Now, I realize the important part is the reading to the child and broadening their imaginations. But what about the pictures that you looked at as a child that took you places as you read the words. The book Where the Wild things Are would not have been the same without the pictures and a myriad of others for that matter. The visual as a child is just as important as the words, I think.

So do you really think that we are going the way of electronic books only? What about holding in your hands a tangible item? Or the smell of ink wafting off of thin paper, or the feel of the spine cracking open on a freshly bound book. I will miss it. Won't YOU? I need the smell, the sound, and the feel of a book in my hands.

Now don't get me wrong there is absolutely a place for e-books but we can not give up on the printed word. It holds magic, mystery, escape, and romance. Okay, so this same argument can be said for an e-books. However, there is one place an e-book can not go where a printed book can at that is where I like to read the most, the bathtub. Now argue that!

A perfect day

I had the most perfect day recently. I was sitting on the beach with my two best friends next to me, with food on my lap, and a book in my hand watching my children and husband playing around in the crystal blue surf. It was perfect. And I was actually so lucky to have two of these days in a row. I'm not sure who to thank for this, God, my husband, my friends, but someone should most definetely be told thank you for these beautifully precious and rare days that I had. So Thank you to all.

To be or not to be?

Every few months I have a conversation with my husband about my flat as a pancake chest. Out in public you would call my figure on top boyish at best or prepubescent, if you get what I am saying. Now, my husband lovingly assures me that there is no problem with the way I am built. And for the most part my figure does not bother me until I am stuck in the summer heat, wearing a bathing suit.
I think this may bother me because I am completely lost without—what I call “my false advertising.” This is the padding in my bra. Hey, where ever I go, it goes, we’re buddies, pals, simpatico as one. I know what you’re thinking because it’s been said to me before. “You can buy pads for swimsuits, you can even buy blow up pads to stick in suits that have a specially designed pocket. For some reason I just can’t do it. I have dreams that they fly out in the middle of swimming or water skiing and they pop some guy in the eye. Then being extremely embarrassed I would end up trying to explain and rendering myself verbally challenged. See this would be disastrous. This is silly, I know especially since I wear padding every day of my life. I know. I just can’t seem to help it.
My other hang up is I work as an aerobics instructor. Some of these woman play, for keeps in my classes. They mean business in keeping their bodies from going, south and in some causes north and east. The reason I mention this is because I have seen some pretty bad headlights in my years of working at a gym. There are also other things I’m not willing to mention, here today.
I guess it comes down to this. I’m okay with my shape and build, I actually do like my body and if I’m only uncomfortable with it on the few occasions I wear a swimsuit, I guess I’m just going to have to learn to be okay with it. Right?

Today, eighteen years ago, I gave birth to a beautiful four pound baby girl, eight weeks early . And although, she came earlier than expected I couldn't have been more elated to meet my first child. Now eighteen years later as I reflect on her life intertwined with mine I realize that I have learned more from her, being my daughter than I'm sure she has learned from me, being her mother.


Happy Birthday baby girl.

Glory be: My first published article

... where real dreams can come true!by Leslee B. Benson

Bright eyes and enthusiastic laughter surround the new West Jordan SME Steel Field of Dreams Park. It was built with special children in mind to fulfill a need, a need the community felt could be met. What the community didn’t expect was they would be the ones to benefit from such a wonderful investment into the lives of those who laugh and love and give everything they have with their hearts. To them this is a field of dreams–where real dreams can come true. In June of 2005, Rotary International’s Centennial Convention invited members of the West Jordan Rotary Club to Chicago. One event changed their lives and eventually changed the lives of those who live in West Jordan. They attended a hospitality night hosted by the Rotary Club of Roselle, Illinois where it was explained that they would be attending a special baseball game. They traveled by bus to a “Miracle League” field that had been a project of the Roselle Rotary Club, and sponsored by the Chicago White Sox Baseball team. As Stuart and Sharon Richardson, and Doug and Janice Schmidt watched this game, tears filled their eyes. They looked at each other and said, “Can we ask our club to build a field like this in West Jordan?” Ask they did, and after much thought, debate and consideration they decided that it could be done and put the project in motion. Research told the West Jordan Rotary Club that in Salt Lake County alone there are over 25,000 disabled children, teenagers, and young adults from the ages of 3 to 25 that needed a field to play on without traveling a long distance. From that first game in Chicago in 2005, the field was on their minds and put into full swing where the steps to fundraise and to find those who could help fulfill their goal began unfolding. There are heros that contributed to the project, SME Steel to name just one. When the field of dreams project was proposed to Craig Moyes, President of SME Steel, he got excited and became the title sponsor for the project. They are honored by the Field of Dreams sign bearing their name. When the economy went bad, a phone call was made to SME to make sure funding was going to be possible. West Jordan was assured they would be able to make their original donation, it was just going to take some time. Over 30 businesses have become partners with us to make this great project a reality and a valuable part of our community. The economy became a big issue for everyone that contributed. It held up progress for those donating time and man hours on a volunteer basis. While committing to build the field they needed to also ensure their own companys’ well-being. The process took longer than originally planned but the outcome was what everyone dreamed it would be. Those overseeing the project wanted to make sure that they had the money before they spent it. More than anything they wanted to be fiscally responsible with the money that was donated to such a worthy cause. After all the donations had come in and been spent, there was a shortage of funds. They needed $25,000 to finish the project. Then an amazing thing happened; the West Jordan Rotary club—20 members strong—came up with an idea. They came up with I.O.U’s to raise the money. Each member decided how much money they could raise and signed an I.O.U. By the end of the evening, a promise of $25,000 had been made by these very optimistic members. However, none of the I.O.U’s had to be collected. ABC Channel 4 evening news came to do a story on the field and was told about the money shortage. They told their viewers about the short fall, and by the next day a private donor came forward with the remainder of the money needed, and a few weeks later the field finished. Once again, the Field of Dreams received its miracle. On behalf of the West Jordan Community and the West Jordan Rotary club—without them none of this would have been possible. We’d like to thank and honor each of our prestigious sponsors for their help and dedication to the project—none had to join, but all did. Thank you! Finally the field was completed on August 12, 2009 and dedicated by the Governor of the State of Utah, Gov. Gary Herbert. “I’m so honored and pleased that my first official public outing is here at this field of dreams,” he said. “By the power vested in me as the governor of the greatest state in America. I hereby dedicate the SME Steel Field of Dreams to the enjoyment of the players, to the enjoyment of the spectators, and to the proud parents and family members who are going to enjoy hours and hours of wonderful time here today in associating with family and friends to the good of all of us.” The saying from the movie still holds true today—‘If you build it they will come,’ and come they did to partake in an experience some had waited a lifetime for. Enthusiastic parents stood on the sidelines and cheered for the moment when their son or daughter got a turn at bat. Each opportunity filled a special need and place in both child and parent. For this field is rare. There are over 130 fields nationwide, but only one resides in Utah, and it can be found in West Jordan. For children everywhere who have trouble running and those in wheelchairs can now have a chance to play like others they’ve only been able to watch before. The new “Miracle League” sponsored by Salt Lake County will play on this new field, which comes with a special rubberized surface that is used for track fields. This special surface accommodates wheelchairs, walkers and those who are visually impaired. If you find yourself at a “Miracle League” game there are some differences for players and fans alike. • Every player bats once each inning • All players are safe on the bases • Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run) • Community children and volunteers serve as ‘buddies’ to assist the players • Each team and each player wins every game The field comes with striping for softball or baseball, but it can also accommodate soccer and basketball with temporary goals. The hope is to use this new field to the best of the county and Gene Fullmer’s abilities. To register and join one of the adaptive youth baseball leagues contact Gene Fullmer Recreation Center, 8015 S. 2200 West, 801-563-8440. On September 12, 2009, the first ball was thrown and connected with a bat sending baseball season into full swing on the new field. The “Miracle League” slogan is, “Every child deserves a chance to play baseball.” The West Jordan Rotary Club and West Jordan City agreed. Building the field was not without its problems, but overcoming them and seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces has made it all worth it. Come take a minute to enjoy a warm spring day with earth’s angels rounding first, then second, then on to third and then all the way to home base with more enthusiasm then anyone’s seen for a long time. Come participate in a wonderful experience and the great blessing of being touched by real love, laughter and an overwhelming sense of true happiness.

five launguages of love

I just read the book The Five Love Languages by; Gary Chapman. I have to say, this was a very fun book to read and a great night spent with my spouse and kids. I gave everyone their test sheet of thirty questions including myself. We all sat down around the dinner table and filled them out. We added up points and found out which love language we are. I found this quite entertaining and interesting as my children talked to one another about the questions on the test once it was over. The five love language categories are:

1-Words of Affirmation

2-Quality Time

3-Receiving Gifts

4-Acts of Service

5-Physical Touch


I was completely surprised and speechless when all of us had the same love language. Maybe the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. Some of us had two Love Languages that tied for first place. I found this very fascinating. I spent the next hour reading about expressing love in their language. This is actually a fun activity if you haven't done it. My friend who gave me this book swears this has helped improve one of her relationships in her own life. Again I find this fascinating. Any hoo, I love reading books and trying new things and this was actually fun for the whole family. Check it out you might want to try it.

A memory from an amazing life.

Since we just had Father's day I thought I would share an amazing moment from the life of an amazing man; my father.
My dad left work at 1:00 every Wednesday to take Jerry, a man who lived nearby to the doctors. None of us knew why, except for my mom. After a few months my father was diagnosed with colon cancer and now was unable to take Jerry to the doctor’s. Jerry, we found out had AIDS and his family had disowned him. My father felt that no one deserved to be alone and others around us felt the same and when my father could no longer take care of Jerry we as a family and neighbors began to help him out. With both of them dealing with their illnesses they kept in touch weekly.
At the beginning of November my father’s condition worsened, we all knew that he only had a few weeks left. A week before his death I had the privilege to hear a conversation between Jerry and my father. (I had him recount Jerry’s side of the conversation when he got off the phone.)
Jerry: “How are you?”
My dad: “I have felt better. I don’t think it will be long now.”Jerry: “I’m really scared to die. Are you?
My Dad: “I’m not. I’m comforted in believing that my family and Father in Heaven await me, when I go.
Jerry: “You didn’t give yourself cancer, but my actions gave me AIDS.” My Dad: “Jerry I believe that your Father in Heaven has already forgiven you.” Jerry: “I don’t know; I just don’t know if I have enough faith to believe that.” My father: “I know you’re scared, I’ll tell you what…I will go first, I’ll check it out and then when it is your time I will come and get you and take you home to our Father. I know that he has forgiven you and that he loves you. Jerry I will come back and get you, have faith and believe.” My father passed away on, Thursday, November 28, 1991 at 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Jerry passed away a week later, Thursday, December 5, 1991 at 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Was this just a weird coincidence, I don’t think so. After hearing this conversation take place and talking to my father afterwards, I truly believe my father gave Jerry a gift that day. A gift of love knowing that someone who cared about him would come and take him home to his father. And I think the Lord gave us a gift by taking Jerry a week later.