kennethbaucum

Mom, Dad, Hannah, Melody, Micah, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Ron, Aunt Connie, Seth, Andrew, Joshua, Bethany, Pastor Dorrell, Daniel, John, TJ, Jim, Sarah,  Derrick, Anthony, Peter, Harold, Bryan, Bradley, Brian, Luke, Mark, Alan, Genero, James, Lance, Justin, Jerry, Phyillis, Butch, Butch 2, Keith, Ai, Jeff, Jeff 2, Jeff 3, Ali, Jackie, Stephanie, Emily, Clyde, Richard, Lisa, Ann, Angela, Missy, Becca, Jason, JT, Vicki, Tom, Tammye, Justin, LeAnna, Debbie, "Prof", Dr. Crawford, Jim Payne, Allie, James, Grace, Mr. Sturgeon, George, George 2, Jordan, Andrew, Anna, Brenda, Brett, Casey, Bonnie, Chris, Chuck, Jim Lively, David, David 2, Dave, Dianne, Adam, Cathy, Jonathon, "Top Dog", Edward, Eric, Sally, Glenn, Mike, Mike 2, Mike 3, Matt, Kara, Holly, Jerod, Jennifer, Jeremy, Jeremy 2, John, John 2, Josh, LaMia, Kim, Leny, Luis, Luke, Megan, Michael, Paul, Paul 2, Paul 3, Penny, Peter, Raymond, Rose, Scott, Tom, Stacey, Stan, Steve, Sunnye, Stan, SSgt Clark, Timothy, Virginia, Charles, Robert, Wayne, Ruby, Matt, Dan, Marcus, Jim, Max, Joshua, Bill, Seth, Jeff, Mitch, John, and Pete.

In an effort to keep connections to people in my past alive, I was presented with an opportunity to visit my Alma Mater for the last football game of the season.  Of course, being the last game represents change for the athletes, but also for others, as well.  My band director from the University of Tulsa, Kenneth G Grass, is celebrating his career at TU, andhanding the reigns of the University Marching Band to the now Assistant Band Director, SSgt Tad Clark.

Again, I was able to meet up with classmates, friends, co-workers and mentors after the game, and rekindled friendships with those that I had lost contact with.  I never get tired of meeting up with old friends.

Have a fabulous day and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Meeting up with old friend is usually more fun than can ever be imagined. Make a conscious effort to keep up with people and make genuine contact with them often. You don't want to be the guy that only comes around when he needs something.

When was the last time you said "hello" to your college band director, high school math teacher, coworker across the hall or friend in the room next door? Let them know they are valuable and remind them of the influence they have on others. Friends play a special role in each person's life. While you have hundreds if not thousands of acquaintances, only a friend can get away with setting the record straight and can get in your face about fixing yourself when things don't go right. Sure it hurts for a little bit, but its for the better. Right? Let them help you -- and you help them.

So stop reading and go write a note to your friend...that's what I'm doing!

"Had this been real life, you would have been instructed where to go and what to do."

This is a great reminder that life is not just about going to work and learning in school, but also about growing, living and loving. Growing in your personal relationships, living each day to its fullest and loving others in the same way Christ loves us.  Each part of your day--the commute to work, your walk to class, the man or woman you ordered coffee from at your favorite morning pit-stop, the computer that crashes, your phone that dropped that very important call--is part of a test, a really big test.  This test will be graded one day to determine who you are, and what you're made of.

What grade will you get?