Now the Real Work Begins

I got word an hour before the book launch party yesterday that one of the pickleball leaders would like me to present at the Recreation Committee meeting our plan to build four outdoor pickleball courts at the rec center in Williamsburg.  The meeting takes place at City Hall at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, May 1.  I promised to be there and be ready.  I was also asked to please make a post on the newly established FaceBook page informing the public about the plans to transform our community. 

My wife and my sister are headed to indoor pickleball today.  They will be meeting some really amazing people who share a passion for the fastest growing sport in America.  It's no accident that our fledgling group reached 125 members yesterday days shy of our meeting. 

Thanks to all who came to my launch party yesterday.  It's really nice to see a community coming together.  My sister travelled all the way from Arizona to support my latest release.  It appears both of us have been granted bonus time in our lives.  Attached is a photo of the two of us taken on launch day.  The outfit was given to her at the end of her 18day ordeal in the hospital fighting for her life against all odds.  May she and all I'm connected to live long and prosper.  Have a great day.

3-2-1 Launch

Friends and family are gathering today at a private residence in my hometown to celebrate the release of my latest work, "Live Long and Prosper." Despite hearing news of tornadoes touching down nearby from out-of-state relatives, I want to assure everyone that our family is safe and doing well. The celebration party is still scheduled for 3pm today, rain or shine. For those unable to attend this afternoon, I'm offering a Reader's Digest summary.

My friend Denise prepared a 'Live Long and Prosper' sheet cake, which you can see in the photo. Additionally, my next-door neighbor Tanya, the owner of South Street Cookies, custom-made two dozen Star Trek-inspired cookies for my friends. The guest of honor at the party is my sister, Teresa, whose remarkable recovery from a life-threatening ordeal inspired my own journey towards better health. Her presence brings me immense joy.

If I had to choose one word to describe the overwhelming emotion in my heart today, it would be gratitude. Today is a day for people from all walks of life in my circle of friends to come together and celebrate the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Have a great day.

One Day to Official Book Launch Party

 This is my first weekend off from my day job in a long while.  I'm thankful to be spending time with family and friends.  Even though I'm no longer addicted to sugar, I'm making an exception tomorrow regarding the sweets we are serving at the launch party.  My next door neighbor is preparing two dozen "Star Trek inspired" cookies and my friend, Denise, is putting the finishing touches on my "Live Long and Prosper" sheet cake.  

There is good reason to celebrate tomorrow.  Early book sales are better than predicted.  The launch party is intended to recognize friends and family who have encouraged me to never give up.  We have been dodging tornadoes the last couple of days.  I offer my prayers to those who are dealing with storm damage.  Yes, the winds are blowing here in the Midwest.  Perhaps Mother Nature can calm down tomorrow so my friends and family can celebrate.  Have a great day.

Grace Under Pressure

 The best way to explain 'grace under pressure' has to do with courage.  Here goes:  It's courage that comes from refusing to let fear dictate one's actions.  Does that resonate within your soul?  Does it make your heart skip a beat?  Maybe you're attempting to distinguish what makes your heart skip a beat.  Why?  Because I believe it may be difficult to understand the source of your heart palpitations.  It could be fear or it could be grace.  It could be a combination of the two.  What I do believe is when you display grace under pressure you tend to draw others into the picture.  Grace is the umbrella you offer to others when it's stormy.

Once again, I'm asking for your prayers if you happen to be a praying type.  Please pray for me to display grace under pressure.  I'm ready to hold the umbrella in the storm.  I'm willing to face what's ahead.  The 'buckle your seatbelt' sign is flashing.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

Inanimate Friends Inspire Creativity

 

I dug this photo out of my photo archives yesterday in preparation for what's ahead.  The hand gesture I'm making is meant to be a blessing for anyone who reads this.  As for my inanimate friends, they have been with me for a long time.  I needed a way to share my life with you while keeping my real family out of the spot light.  Little did I know that a 'Castaway Volleyball' would fall out of the sky and dribble into my life spurring what will become an Irish twin book to my latest creation, "Live Long and Prosper."

There was a misfire on my original book launch due to a death in the family.  Now it's time to get out of my basement and interact with the real world.  I'm thankful for the inanimate friends who kept me company while I was in solitary confinement.  If they could talk, they would have some fascinating stories to tell.  See you soon.  Have a great day.

Final Day of Preparation for Gratitude Book Tour

It's a good thing I have a day off from my day job today.  Besides morning Pickleball and evening tennis, I'm making sure everything on the to do is handled for the official launch of "Live Long and Prosper."  I'm starting with a small gathering of family and friends on Sunday.  This is a great opportunity to thank the folks who encouraged me to keep going during some tough times.  

If you are the praying type, I'm asking you to please keep me and my family in your prayers during this critical time in our lives.  I realize I'm walking a tight rope here sharing my life with you while also honoring family confidentiality.  Part of the reason for keeping this first launch party off the grid is to allow my family privacy.  There will be many opportunities to engage publicly in the near future.  May 1 is when the fundraising begins at my day job for Children's Miracle Network.  Stay tuned for updates.  I hope our paths cross soon.  Have a great day.

Where's the Beef?

 

Our family is testing the idea of local grass fed beef this week.  We are splitting a cow with a couple of other families who desire beef raised on grass that is also antibiotic-hormone free.  Roehrkassemeat has been on our town square since 1937.  This is our first time going big with a custom order.  We don't really know the best way to have our meat cut so my wife is stopping in this morning for guidance.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

Sleeping in the Blue Zone

 I made a last minute call to add a sleep section in "Live Long and Prosper" after overcoming my own self doubts.  Part of me felt like I didn't have enough data to offer anything of value.  The good news is I'm getting better at sleeping and the results are the best ever.  Last night was all "blue zone" meaning I hit the targets in every category.  

In the mental recovery category, I measured an all-time high of 92%.  This is because I recorded one hour and 44 minutes of REM sleep.  This is partly due to reaching five cycles of sleep during the night.  This is much needed because I'm going through another time in my life when I need all the help I can get.  When I'm in the "red zone" I know without having to see the feedback from my smart watch.  The red zone indicates when I blow it in a category.  While it may be true we don't control how long we are in the REM stage or in deep sleep, it is true we can set ourselves up for success by setting up good sleep habits.  

One thing I know for sure is I'm going to be one the first people standing in line to order a smart ring from Samsung when this product is released most likely in the summer.  Let me know how you're doing with your sleep.  Make sure you have a way to accurately measure the quality of your sleep if you're seeking a way to improve.  There is nothing better when it comes to human performance than sleeping consistently in the blue zone.  Have a great day.

Birkat Hamazon

 My Jewish friend, Boris, told me he is often asked to lead Birkat Hamazon.  He is a direct descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses.  Since the Jewish population accounts for only .2% of the world population, and members of the Cohanim are estimated to be about 5% of the Jewish population, it is extremely rare to meet someone like my friend, Boris.  

DNA tests confirm that 98% of Jewish men who self-identify as Cohanim carry the Cohanim Modal Haplotype (CMN).  This Y-chromosome traces back 3,000 years all the way to Aaron.  I find this fascinating.  

If you made it this far in today's story, maybe you're asking, "What is Birkat Hamazon?"  The simple answer is "Grace after meals."  Moses knew that when people have full bellies it's really easy to get complacent.  It's easy to forget about God.  The Cohanim were asked to be in charge of the prayers because they were part of the only tribe that was able to avoid temptation when Moses was on the mountain receiving the 10 Commandments.  The tribe of Levi where the Cohanim come from is the only tribe that did not receive land.  They have a higher calling – to help their people never forget God's grace, especially in good times.  

The world seems to be upside down.  We need more people like my friend, Boris, who are willing to pray for a healthy planet, loving parents and family, and a sufficient livelihood.  My prayer is that God hears the prayers of the Jewish people and that one day they will be free from religious persecution.  Have a great day.

Tennis Begins at 8am Today

 My tennis team is getting close to the end of regular season play with a team match in Waterloo today.  My singles match has been defaulted by our opponents due to a lack of players so I'm changing gears and heading to indoor tennis drills at 8am.  The other side also conceded the #3 doubles match for the same reason which means we need at least one more win to capture an important victory in pursuit of bragging rights for top team in Iowa.  That's why I'm drilling before joining my team in Waterloo as a spectator.  This group of players is inspiring me to be my best.

Good luck to my teammates today.  Have a great day.

Getting Ready for Miracles in May

 Doors are opening.  I can't wait.  Deep down inside I have a feeling I need to pace myself, however, the excitement I feel is making my heart skip a beat.  The original friends and family "Live Long and Prosper" launch party scheduled for St. Patrick's Day was scrubbed when I got word my mother's older brother passed away in Arizona.  There will be a small gathering at a friend's house to thank my friends and family for all their support during my book writing journey.  Once the celebration concludes the real work begins on May 1.  That's when the fund raising goes into high gear for the sick kids at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

There is a tentative meeting scheduled for May 1 at City Hall to propose four outdoor Pickleball courts for our community.  My hope is that enough committee members are available to hear our pleas.  The community is garnering grass roots support for the idea.  We now have 72 people in our newly established Iowa County Pickleball Club.  The volunteers who run the club have already ordered special shirts.  You've heard of the "men in black."  Well, these volunteers are "the women in black."  When they get moving, I'm certain the men in the community will follow.  They know how to get things done.  If all goes well I will count our shared success as the first miracle in May.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

I Found My Pickleball Passion in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

My tennis friends may think I'm abandoning them when they read today's story.  That's probably because there seems to be some kind of division between tennis players and pickleball players.  I see things differently.  For me, there's plenty of room to get along for those who play tennis exclusively, pickleball only or hybrid players like me who enjoy both sports.

The learning curve for tennis is much longer.  In fact, I didn't weaponize my tennis backhand until about six weeks ago when Jim, my captain for all my teams in multiple age groups, worked one-on-one with me to implement some minor changes that changed everything.

Maybe you're asking, "why does someone who grew up playing tennis want to play pickleball?"  The answer is simple..."I love my wife and I'm looking for activities we can do together."  Tennis is her spectator sport.  Give her a good book and she's quite comfortable cheering us on from the sidelines.  Pickleball is different.  My wife, like our daughter who played high school tennis with her first cousin, Amy, has an amazing backhand.  Unlike me who needed 49 years to master the backhand on the tennis courts, my wife started hitting great pickleball backhands on day one.  We discovered this in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where I was on a day job assignment.  

There is something else unique to pickleball.  It's community.  My friend, Jodi, one of the newly appointed pickleball leaders in our hometown, introduced our club's first FaceBook page yesterday.  Click here for the link.  She states, "Pickleball is for everyone from grandparents to the young... Pickleball is community."

Ask any of the 62 FaceBook followers who joined the group on the first day yesterday why they are jumping on the Pickleball Express Train, and they will tell you it's all about coming together for fun, exercise and quality time.  

I'm thankful for the visionaries I met in Eau Claire who showed me what's possible when you come together.  Our group will be showing up at City Hall on May 1 to ask for outdoor Pickleball courts at our community center located next door to our home.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

Do You Believe in Miracles?

In two weeks, something truly remarkable begins: The Caveman Miracle Network kicks into high gear for the entire month of May. Before this month of fundraising for the sick kids at the University of Iowa Stead Family Hospital, we're hosting a kickoff event at a private residence. It's a chance to express gratitude to friends and family who've inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace a higher calling.

Do you believe in miracles? I'm absolutely certain they occur with great frequency. There's no other explanation for the series of events or the extraordinary people I've encountered who are orchestrating what's about to unfold. It feels like someone is directing this symphony, with beautiful music resonating through the halls. The One who has risen from the dead is making all things new, and the Holy Spirit is moving mountains. Stay tuned for more updates. Have a great day!

By the Numbers

I have shared my life on this daily blog 5,352 times but I've never done a post by the numbers, a summary of my life.  Here goes:

10  – The average number of times I need to do something new until I get it right.

  9  – The number of close calls I've had with death.  

  8  – The number of hours I attempt to sleep nightly.

  7  –  Multiplied by 70 = the number of times I need to forgive my enemies when they hurt me.

  6  –  The number of offspring my parents brought into this world.  

  5  –  The target number of hours I spend on the tennis courts per week.

  4  –  The number of weeks I need to make a new habit stick.

  3  –  The number of books I've written.

  2  –  The average number of meals I consume daily.

  1  –  The number of people who came to Jesus because of the stories they found on this blog.

Like my Kindergarten teacher who issued me a report card which was carefully preserved by my mother for over fifty years before sharing it with me, this "report card" could use some improvement.  I'm sharing because as flawed as my life may be, there may be something here for somebody somewhere.  If you are that somebody, thank you for visiting.  Have a great day.

When Serendipity Strikes

Serendipity and I are quickly becoming close friends. The first time Serendipity appeared in my life was during a challenging period when I was grappling with writer's block. Writer's block can feel like being trapped, with closed doors everywhere you turn, akin to the feeling of depression. When I needed a break, a volleyball suddenly materialized out of nowhere, reminiscent of a scene from the movie "Castaway." There it was, just like Wilson! A new story began to unfold right before my eyes, and Wilson helped me break free from my funk, reigniting my passion for writing.

Then the pandemic hit, and everything shut down. I lost the opportunity to travel with my newfound companion, Wilson, and once again, I found myself facing writer's block. But Serendipity revisited me, inspiring me to dive back into the writing process. I'm not ready to reveal how Wilson's story concludes just yet; I still need Serendipity's guidance to figure it out. What I do know is that Serendipity played a significant role in launching "Live Long and Prosper." Every morning, Serendipity greets me with fresh ideas to keep me moving forward, though I'll delve into that further later. For now, I need to piece together all the dots. All I can say is when Serendipity comes knocking, it's time to rise and seize the day. Have a great day.

Food Pyramids and Egyptians

 There is one thing food pyramids and Egyptians have in common – grains.  The average Egyptian ate up to four pounds of bread daily.  In case you're wondering why a male Egyptian is depicted with big boobs and a big belly, it may be because of all the grains which, according to the food peeps at the Department of Nutrition, are at the base of the modern day food pyramids.  

If you happen to have big boobs and a big belly, you may wish to flip that modern day food pyramid over and do something I discovered to be really good for belly trimming – eat red meat and butter.  Yes, lots of butter.  Put butter on everything.  Say goodbye to whole grains and say goodbye to your oversized belly.  Eat what your ancestors ate prior to the introduction of grains in the days of the Egyptians.  Have a great day.

Crank Up Your Endorphins

The Righteous Brothers song, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, could have been written about one of the greatest losses a human can suffer – decreases in endorphins.  Sadly, low endorphins mean you no longer have that loving feeling when you wake up to face the world.  Is the main chorus from the song a reflection of your life without enough endorphins?

You lost that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
You lost that lovin' feelin'
Now it's gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh

Don't worry.  It's not too late to crank up your endorphins.  The fastest way I know is to head straight for the shower and jump in before the water heats up.  This is not easy for me.  My body hates this part of my morning routine.  I do my best to muffle my moaning and groaning during the most challenging two to three minutes of my day.  Something special happens when I do this.  The loving feeling returns.  Much to my surprise, this loving feeling persists for hours.  This is the best way I know to release a flood of long-lasting endorphins.  On a day like today when I move on to one hour of cardio tennis followed by two more hours of tennis doubles, I find the endorphins crank up yet another notch.  Next is my first meal of the day; a juicy burger with sides of bacon, avocado, cottage cheese and other David Sinclair inspired molecules keep me going in a positive direction.  

If you're having trouble getting out of bed, try the cold shower routine for 30 days and see what happens.  Make sure you increase your exercise routine.  Have a great day.

Are You a Frog in Hot Water?

 Before you get defensive and tell me you're not a frog, let me acknowledge you are not a frog.  Before you tell me you're not in hot water, please allow me to share what I mean about hot water.  In my opinion, "hot water" is the world we live in.  You can agree or disagree that the temperature is rising.  What matters is that when a frog is introduced to gradual increases in temperature it is unaware of the change.  Urban legend is that this frog will boil to death when the temperature increases slowly. 

The next time you are in a public setting please look closely at the people around you.  What do you observe about them that is different from let's say twenty years ago?  If you see all the people glued to their phones, you see them in hot water.  Now, take note about what they are eating while they are staring at their phones.  How is this different from twenty years ago?  If you see a plate loaded with junk food, you are seeing the hot water I'm talking about.  I could go on and on about the hot water but I think you get the idea.

Where do frogs go once they realize they are boiling to death?  In my opinion, the best place is in a house of worship.  There is no guarantee that the hot water will be restored, however, those who follow Jesus will understand the dangers lurking in our world today.  Have a great day.

Got Happiness?

 If you're seeking increased happiness, look no further.  It all comes down to one word – generosity.  The more generous you are, the happier you are.  The key is not to be generous inwardly but outwardly as in helping others.  Psychologists have a name for this.  It's called the "helpers high."

The happiest people I know are the givers.  On the other side of the curve are the takers.  These are some of the grumpiest people I know.  Sadly, they complain about everything.  They have all the excuses for not helping others.  They are too busy consuming.  They will never be satisfied.  

Your happiness is a choice.  Choose wisely.  Have a great day.

Is Cognitive Decline Reversible?

Please don't shoot the messenger on today's story.  I fully understand I'm not qualified to answer the question I pose.  The experts can chime in any time.  I'm asking this question because I'm noticing something peculiar about the aging process.  Some people seem to be aging quickly while others seem to be drinking from the fountain of youth.  What gives?  In my case, I feel like my own personal cognitive decline appears to be reversing.  Could this be some sort of placebo?  Maybe.  If it is, please don't tell me.  

Brain function is rather complicated.  In my opinion, the brain can be trained just like you can train your pet dog.  They say you can't teach old dogs new tricks.  I disagree.  Sure, the effort involved to overcome poor training is challenging for old dogs.  The same is true for old brains.  I do believe I can increase my own brain functions with some training.  Modifying my food intake is also beneficial.  Stay tuned.  I'm going to keep pursuing answers to today's question.  Have a great day. 

Introducing My Favorite Marketer

 His name is Nile.  Our paths crossed twice in the last week.  I ran into Nile at North Dodge Athletic Club where I play indoor tennis and Nile swims in the indoor pool.  We met a second time when Nile and his mom were leaving my day job where the family shops.  Click here to see his story from a couple of years ago when we met for the first time while Nile was representing Children's Miracle Network.

I have a feeling I will see Nile and his family again soon.  We are about three weeks away from commencing our fundraising for all of Nile's friends at the University of Iowa Stead Family Hospital.  If I ever need to enhance my marketing skills, I'm turning to my little buddy, Nile.  This little guy exudes enthusiasm like no other.  Have a great day.

Lunar Eclipse Today

 The last time we experienced a total eclipse of the moon was in 2017.  In our home state of Iowa we will be close at 86% today.  That's good enough for me.  My best friend is going the distance to experience a total lunar eclipse.  How about you?  Are you going to experience a full or partial eclipse?  Have a great day.

Game On

 It's #1 vs. #1 this afternoon in the Women's NCAA Basketball Championships.  All I can say if you've gotta see this one, even if you're not a basketball fan or you don't watch women's sports.  This one is the real deal.  Even the celebrities, like Jason Sudeikis who plays Ted Lasso, are joining in the fun.  This event may turn out to be the most watched game ever, surpassing the 14 million viewers who watched the Final 4 matchup that ended in the final split seconds of a thriller.  Tune in and watch history.  Have a great day.

Lady Hawkeyes Advance to Championships

Something really special is going on in Iowa right now.  In all our years supporting our favorite teams, we have never experienced anything like this.  Our family gathered together for a third time during the NCAA  Women's Basketball championships last night.  The first big game was in the sweet sixteen bracket.  Next was the elite 8.  Last night it was the Final 4.  My oh my.  Tomorrow our hometown team faces off against an opponent with a perfect season.  All I can say is we have been on the edge of our seats and it keeps getting better.  

If you want to see what all the HOOPla is about, tune in tomorrow for the main event.  A few weeks ago everyone wore green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, my favorite day of the year.  With the exception of a couple of states, many from across the country will be sporting their Hawkeye colors tomorrow.  Have a great day.

The Lady Hawkeyes Play in the Final 4 Tonight

 I didn't know who they were when they came in together to ask for help at my day job at the beginning of the season.  Well, the world knows who they are now.  What a fascinating year this has been for the hometown heroes of Iowa.  There is a reason this community comes together to support them.  They are outstanding at what they do.  I first fell in love with the Hawkeyes when our daughter transferred to the school during her junior year one year after our relocation from California.  The first thing my wife's sister did was give us Hawkeye gear to help us fit in to our new surroundings.  I quickly learned the town stops for any sport the teams play.  Wrestling is number one, followed by football.  Moving up in the ranks is basketball.  The lady Hawkeyes happen to have the highest TV ratings so far, garnering 12.3 viewers in their elite 8 win over the defending champions from last year.

If you get a chance, tune in to the final four games tonight and see what everybody in Iowa is talking about.  Pay attention to the teamwork.  Great teams know that winning comes from playing together and bringing out the best in one another.  It helps to have the greatest 3 point shooter of all times who happens to be right up there with highest number of assists as well.  Have a great day.

Something New on My Driver's License

Spock from Star Trek, my super hero, would say one thing if I showed him the backside of my driver's license.  "Fascinating."  Indeed.  Yesterday I mastered the art of QR Codes.  From now on I will always be able to offer up a way to point readers to my newest release, "Live Long and Prosper."  Yep.  My life is turning into a sci-fi show.  The only thing missing is a green bagel from my dad's bar, Mulligans.  Even if they were being served, I would pass as this type of food is no longer part of my food program.  If you want to know what I'm eating now, position your camera over the QR code and let Amazon beam up a copy for your review.  Have a great day.  May you live long and prosper.

Today is Catch-up Day

It feels like 21º right now according to my weather app.  The gusty winds and below normal temperatures combined with a light snow fall make today a perfect day to play catch-up while I'm on a day off from my day job.  Before heading out to the indoor tennis courts later in the day I'm going to complete all the tasks that have been on a back burner during my writing spree. 

One of my opponents from league tennis stopped in to my day job the other day.  "When are you going to retire?"  he asked.

"I'm going to stay another six years or until I can no longer be productive, whichever comes first," I answered.  The way I see things, there is great opportunity to make a difference and I'm having too much fun doing the things I love.  Catch-up days like today help me to stay organized in pursuit of my long-term goals.  Have a great day.

Amazon Delivers First Shipment of Books on Easter Sunday

It happened ten minutes after my return home from St. Cloud, Minnesota on Easter Sunday.  Our oldest son opened the front door and greeted our Amazon delivery driver who handed us the first shipment of books.  My wife and two adult sons stood by as I opened the box revealing "Live Long and Prosper: A Journey of Transformation." The corrective surgery was a success.  I autographed copies of the book for our sons while my wife flipped through the pages.

I put a package together yesterday morning to send to one of my bosses at my day job who requested I contact him once the book was published.  He will receive his copy through our in-house mail delivery system sometime this week.   Later in the day a friend sent me a selfie she snapped while holding a copy of the book.  Her smile brought me great joy.  Others offered me a Vulcan salute as they passed by at my day job.  

The family gathered together last night to witness something special, ladies basketball.  Led by senior, Caitlin Clark, the team delivered an elite eight win against the defending champions who knocked them out last year.  All I can say is I slept soundly last night.  There is much to celebrate.

If you happen to be one of my friends who is reading "Live Long and Prosper," and may be considering following some of the ideas in the book, please consider a visit to your family physician first.  Ask your physician for a blood test.  This is the best way to keep track of your own personal transformation.  I also suggest you keep a daily log of what you eat.  Also, record your weight every morning when you wake up.  I'm curious to hear back from you about any changes you experience.  If you're taking medications, make sure you keep in touch with your doctor along the way.  If your doctor happens to be shocked at what happens to your body, you can tell him or her about your caveman friend.  Have a great day.

 

Family Reunion with Lost Branch of Mulligan Family Tree

 Every family has its squabbles.  Some rifts heal quickly.  Others can take years.  For our family, it took one hundred years before the wounds were healed and it happened in dramatic fashion over Easter weekend in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  For the sake of privacy, let's just say the descendants were in the dark until 2012 when a member of our lost Mulligan tribe found what she was looking for on this blog while searching for relatives.  Letters and photos were exchanged by senior members of both sides of the family.  The first face-to-face reunion took place over Easter weekend.  My oh my, what a joy that was.

It's not my place to share other than to say I'm overjoyed.  I will say that I asked forgiveness from my relatives for any hurts that may have been caused by members of the Mulligan clan during these one hundred years of separation.  The doors are open for these wonderful people to get to know each other.  God bless all the people who were once lost but are found.  Welcome home!  Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your lives.  Special thanks to cousin Kristi who gifted me a drum from Ireland, one of her most cherished possessions.  Have a great day.