Today I turned 70. Wow! How did that happen? As I reflect on this milestone, I have to look back and thank God for my many blessings. I am particularly thankful for,
- the gift of my Catholic Faith and Jesus my Lord and Savior who has been my rock in good as well as challenging times.
- my parents Rachel and Felix, who through their love and example largely formed who I am.
- my beloved family: my wife Rhonda; children Ryan and Camille; daughter-in-law Amber; and grandchildren Annabelle, Asher and Rowan, all of whom make my life so much richer.
- my siblings Miles, Charles, Anne, Bernadette (who is with God) and their families, who though physically far away, always remain close in thought and prayer.
- relatives and friends from around the world who have touched and continue to touch my life.
- the gift and opportunities for service and work that offered so many experiences, learning, and the necessary remuneration for sustenance over the past fifty years.
- my places of work and service and work colleagues at the following places: The Government English Primary School, Port Dickson, Malaysia; James Warren & Company (later Scott & English), Malaysia; Perma Inc. in both the Philippines and Indonesia; PT Sande Jaya, Indonesia; The American College, Singapore; North Country School, Lake Placid, NY; The American Community School, Amman, Jordan; Canadian Academy, Kobe, Japan; Christ the King Catholic School, Tampa, Florida; and, Tampa Catholic High School, Tampa, Florida.
- my education that enables me to think for myself and test ideas and philosophies for truth and meaning.
- the schools that I have been privileged to attend and the teachers and fellow students who contributed to my education: St. Anthony’s, Teluk Anson, Malaysia; La Salle, Klang, Malaysia; De La Salle, Singapore; St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore; Government English Secondary School, Port Dickson, Malaysia; Technical College, Malaysia; Durham University, England; and the many conferences and workshops that I have been privileged to attend throughout the years.
- students, teachers and administrators who have shared my journey as an educator over the past thirty years.
- the opportunities to travel extensively and experience other cultures and learn from them. I visited cities in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Holland, England, Italy, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, Ukraine, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico, Honduras, the Bahamas, Belize, and almost all of the states in the US.
- my health. I am particularly thankful for my wake-up triple by-pass in January 2008 which led me to adopt better health habits of mind, body and spirit. I realize that while I rest my life in the will of God, it remains my responsibility to do my part to keep healthy. I pray that God will grant me continued good health in my coming years.
- my now retirement, with time for family, leisure, continued learning, and, whatever else the future may hold.
I give thanks.
Educhirp 