The biggest life-change in my twenties
By far the biggest (and best) life-change to occur in my twenties took place December 14, 2002. You guessed it: that’s the day I was married. I was 21-years young. Nicci Quiroz said “I do” in a church in Seal Beach, California, and so began our life with the same last name. I’ve broken promises—and [...]
What I learned in my twenties
It’s taken 29-years, or at least the last decade, to get to this blog post. So here are some of the pearls—the highlights—of what I’ve learned the past 10 years. 1. Success at work is success at work. Success at home is success at life. 2. Collect experiences; not stuff. Give away stuff. Thank you, [...]
What I started and stopped in my twenties
First, the thought process for this series originated on August 10, 2010; the above list was written one month later. Next, with my 30th birthday pending (March 25), I’ve taken the time to reflect on how I’ve changed after another decade on this planet. I also took the time to reflect on the habits that [...]
Sitting at my grandfather's table
What would you talk about if you had one hour to sit with someone born before the world had Internet? I faced that question as I sat at the dining room table in my grandfather’s home this morning. “Grandpa Quiroz” (pron. key-dose) is the only living grandfather that remains in my family. He lives in [...]
The 'power' of a family meal
The following transcript is from a story told to a group of school teachers by author Jerry Tello. “I get home from college, and when I walk in my mom—of course when I walk in—she asks, ‘You wanna’ eat?’ ‘Mom, I just ate at the dorm.’ ‘Oh, you dont want to eat my food now [...]
Thompson's Laundry, and M&M's Minis
Where can I take my bedspreads to be washed in the Pauls Valley area? One of two commercial laundromats in Pauls Valley (Okla.), Thompson’s Laundry has three over-sized washing machines. Each unit can hold up to four loads of laundry, and is ideal for larger items: pillows, bedspreads, blankets, stuffed animals, etc. With nine cycle [...]
I've been waiting over a year…
I’ve been waiting over a year for this photo. That’s Wondemu (pictured above) on his seventh birthday; the photo reached me yesterday. He lives in Ethiopia, Africa. I’m not sure why he’s not smiling, but looking at him makes me smile. It makes him real. Wondemu is one of the Compassion International children sponsored by [...]
So, I applied for a job…
First, let me clarify that I am happily employed as a part-time high school sports writer. Secondly, as a free-lance author I am (almost) always interested in unique experiences, untold stories, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. One particular opportunity presented itself to me in the form of an online job offer, yesterday. An acquaintance “tweeted” the announcement [...]
Obedience–When It Hurts
“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” (emphasis added) Jesus. The Son of God. The bedrock of the Christian faith. The namesake for Christ-followers. Learned. This verse of scripture from Hebrews, Chapter 5, captures my attention; it baffles me really. “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned [...]
Two Birthdays and An Anniversary
Today marks a special day for my family: today is my mother’s birthday. Notably, last week—Wednesday, February 25—was my dad’s birthday. My parents (pictured to the left during their first year of marriage, ca. 1977) are still as vivacious, and often as color-coordinated, today. Their wedding anniversary is August 7; this summer marks their 33rd [...]
