The two of them stood in the doorway, holding hankies over their noses and mouths. Smoke still rose from heaps of burned books and clothing that littered the fire eaten floor. In every scene they had investigated, every call they had answered, nothing had been as devastating as what they saw before them. Sixteen black, charred skeletons were seen in various locations around the room, and it was apparent that they weren’t all adults.

Celebrating our 5th Anniversary in South Africa! Melissa, my wonderful wife surprised me with a trip to South Africa to celebrate our 5th.

Melissa bought tickets to South Africa back in March, and we are finally heading out on our vacation. We’ll be back on the 22nd, Thanksgiving day.

Ananzi, my daughter turned 4 today.

Hey, I turned 27 today. Go me!

Where have I been? Either that or where has the time gone? I can’t believe it’s been as long as it’s been. There is nothing that has kept me from writing, except my own lack of discipline. I checked thewritersblog.net but there was no topic for the day to write on. I’ll have to check with the webmaster to see if there is something wrong. Regardless of that I should be working on my book. Even if it’s not very much, I’ve said it before, write daily.

Fore score and …. well you get the idea.

So, I have claimed that I was intended to write everyday, as you can see by the tattle-tale calendar, it hasn’t been so. I find that the best times (times that I make available for writing) is at work. I have time each morning sometime between 6:30 and 8:15 each morning. I am proud to say that I will be done with school soon and then all my off days I will not feel so pressed for time and thus make sure I do write each day.

The early morning sky still dark enough to hide the fine detail, yet light enough to prevent you from cracking your shin on the coffee table. The constant race against time and other drivers, even though you are never late. The inconsiderate people drinking their cup of joe, super latte espresso mix to wire them for the day, even though they understand once they get to work, the rush ends and they fight to keep their bloodshot eyes from closing.

Something I see everyday. People have become so cold, always thinking about themselves and not necessarily about their safety. Cutting corners, using the least amount of time and effort to get the job done. “It will do for now.” never gets the red flag anymore. Satisfied with mediocrity. The only one making the effort to do a good job is always overlooked and often ridiculed for being the bosses work dog. Negatives.

But after all the turmoil, after the mad rush of anger, frustration and hate, I return home, where a loving wife and two adorable children make it all worth it. With smiles that could melt through an iceberg, arms that hug tighter than the strongest vice, and words that erase the burdens of the day.

This is what I see everyday.

Her legs were crossed at the ankles. Laying on her stomach, propped up on her arms, she held a large book. Jamie, her mother, stepped closer to the door and peered through the inch gap between the door and the frame. She was singing a tune, many of the words were not fully enunciated which brought a smile to Jamie’s face. It was a song she had not fully learned yet. The floor creaked under her weight making Sariah turn to face the door.

She grinned widely. “Hi mommy,” she beamed.

Jamie pushed the door open and crossed to sit beside her daughter. “Hi baby,” she said as she pulled Sariah’s brown hair out of her eyes. “What are you looking at?” she asked Sariah closed the book and allowed her mother to read. “Maps?” she nodded.

Sariah opened the book again and began to trace the dotted lines “I like to follow them and pretend they make patterns,” she said.

Jamie laughed. “I think they do sometimes,” she reached over and traced one of the rivers until it met Sariah’s hand. They laughed together.