THE UNWRAPPED PRESENT

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THE UNWRAPPED PRESENT

At this time of year, I often reflect on the Christmas mornings growing up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey - the opening of presents, the wrapping paper flying everywhere, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of bacon sizzling on the stove, Christmas songs playing on the stereo, and the many hugs and smiles from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends dropping in throughout the day. But there is one Christmas in particular that I recall each year. A Christmas morning that changed my life.

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THE THANKSGIVING STORY

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THE THANKSGIVING STORY

It is nearly dusk as the sun greets the orange and blue horizon over Boston Harbor.   Judy and her daughter, Michelle, are cuddled together on the living room couch. Michelle, just three years old, draws her baby doll closely to her chest, and holds her mother's hand tightly.

With their Thanksgiving feast now complete, family and friends gathered to listen to the traditional reading of "The Thanksgiving Letter."

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BEYOND THOSE WORDS

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BEYOND THOSE WORDS

On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers of the Continental Congress signed the "Declaration of Independence" that challenged the greatest power of the world to a fight.  At the core of the fight were certain "words" that were unheard of at the time of monarchies and tyrants.  

Those words "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" set the stage for an arduous struggle that lasted several years with much loss of life and property.  At the end of the war with England, freedom was born, and the definition and application of those words was just beginning. 

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THOSE WORDS

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THOSE WORDS

On July 4, 1776, the founding fathers of the Continental Congress wrote words that challenged the greatest power of the world to take notice. Embodied within the Declaration of Independence, words referred to as inalienable rights - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness - defined freedom and set the stage for a great struggle against tyranny. The subsequent years, through much loss in life and property, the United States of America won its freedom and shifted its attention to the meaning and application of those words.

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PLANT TREES

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PLANT TREES

There is this place; a special place.

A place where nature is celebrated, trees grow strong and tall, and birds rejoice with each sunrise.

A place where dreams are formed in morning's midst, planted in the hearts and minds of a few, a thousand, and then into the millions.

People come to this place year after year. They play.  They laugh. They learn. They fall in love with each other as they embrace nature's many gifts which inspire their souls and warm their hearts.

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THE 2014 DO-IT-YOURSELF RESOLUTION KIT

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THE 2014 DO-IT-YOURSELF RESOLUTION KIT

Waking up on New Year's Day morning, people will greet the new year in various states of readiness (largely depending on what occurred the night before). Many will take advantage of the holiday and sleep well into the morning. Others will wake up early to get ready for another day of company, football, and more food. And some will take the time to make their 2014 New Year's Resolutions.

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THE TENNIS HAT

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THE TENNIS HAT

"Hey, where's my hat?"  I asked my wife.
 
"What hat?" my wife responded.
 
"My hat for tennis.  I have a match today, and I need my hat!"  I exclaimed.
 
"Look in your tennis bag, or in the closet where you throw everything!” she exclaimed back.
 
"Hey, I found it where you left it... in my tennis bag,” I responded sarcastically.
 

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THE MAN IN THE RED BANDANA

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THE MAN IN THE RED BANDANA

After the horrific events of 9/11, The New York Times published survivor's accounts of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Many survivors spoke of some angel, some young man coming out of the smoke and fire on 104th floor wearing a red bandana around his face, and yelling in a calm and commanding voice,
 
"Follow me. I found the staircase. If you can help someone else, then help them."

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THE LAST TIME

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THE LAST TIME

If I knew it was the last time I would see you, I would have I stayed longer by your side;

If I knew it was the last time I would talk with you, I would have listened more and asked better questions;

If I knew it was the last time I would laugh with you, I would have laughed harder and louder.

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THE LADYBUG, SQUIRREL, AND EAGLE

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THE LADYBUG, SQUIRREL, AND EAGLE

They came to me a dream - a very strange dream indeed.  A ladybug, a squirrel and an eagle, each one appeared and shared advice.  To this day, I am not sure why.
 
Sitting in a lawn chair in my yard, a ladybug landed on my hand. To my surprise, it spoke in a voice that sounded just like my Aunt Leona.  The ladybug said:
 
"Here is my advice to you on this day -
Be well rounded.  Try many experiences and always learn more each day.

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BREWED TO PERFECTION

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BREWED TO PERFECTION

Bend, Oregon, with a population of over 80,000 people, offers great skiing and snowmobiling in the winter at nearby Mt. Bachelor and white water rafting, trout fishing and camping in the spring and summer.  It also has one of largest concentrations of microbreweries and craft breweries in the world, making Bend, Oregon a perfect setting for a father-and-son Spring Break vacation.
 
...and so it was.

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WATCHING DAD

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WATCHING DAD

In the stillness of the night, he takes each breath slowly; deliberately.  Eyes closed, hands by his side.  The silence is only broken by the humming and hissing of the oxygen machine.  The oxygen, supplied in a clear plastic tube to his nose, enables his dreams to be more peaceful; bringing a degree of comfort and relief to a weary body now in the third week of home Hospice care.
 
For four nights and portions of the day, I have been watching Dad.  

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THE 100% CLUB

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THE 100% CLUB

Research shows we retain...

  • 10% of what we read
  • 20% of what we hear
  • 30% of what we see
  • 50% of what we see and hear
  • 70% of what we discuss
  • 80% of what we practice
  • 95% of what we teach
  • 100% of what we love
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I LOVE YOU

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"I love you."

"What?"

"I love you!"

"Wow...why did you say that?"

"Well, you are very special to me.  I can't wait to see you. And when we are together, I am the happiest person on earth."

"That is so sweet.  But what brought this on?"

"Well, I was watching a World War II movie the other day.  This guy couldn't get the nerve up in person to say that he loved his girlfriend, so he wrote a letter to express how much he cared for her, and that he loved her with all his heart."

"What happened?"

"Tragically, the guy died in battle the next day after he wrote the letter, and the letter was finally delivered ten years later after the war had ended."

"How sad..."

"For over ten years, she wondered if he really loved her.  Well, I don't want you to think for one moment more, or for ten years no less, that I love you."

"But you are in no danger like the soldier.  The only danger as an accountant is that you may spill your Diet Coke on your keyboard, or you may get a paper cut on one of your financial statements."

"Very funny.  The movie reminded me that life is fleeting, and if you feel strongly about a person, you should express it now before it's too late."

"You are so right.  And by the way, I love you too!"
 
Until Next Friday,    

Rob Signature Transparent Background.png
 
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Rob Hebeler

THE VALUE OF A WAVE

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THE VALUE OF A WAVE

One day last month, I was doing some errands with my little girls, Lauren and Veronica.  And during our trip, we passed “Mr. Waver’s Fruit Stand.” Now, “Mr. Waver’s” was not actually the name of the fruit stand.  It’s just the name we gave it. For you see, each time a car would pass, “Mr. Waver” would raise his right hand and with an open palm facing the car, he would move his hand side to side doing his best to make eye contact with the driver.      

Well, we were approaching “Mr. Waver’s Fruit Stand” fully expecting the traditional wave.  As we drew closer, we looked, made eye contact and to our astonishment ... no wave. No wave at all.

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A GOOD QUOTE

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A GOOD QUOTE

As I travel, I take a great deal of time to walk and read the many items posted and listed in the back of the house.  Often times, I find inspiring quotes posted on the walls or on plaques in individual offices. The following quotes are particularly inspiring, and I wanted to have the opportunity to share them with you.  It is my hope that one or two quotes may provide you with the inspiration or sense of purpose that great accomplishment and teamwork can achieve.  

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