One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so … Love the people who treat you right.Pray for the ones who don’t.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a garbage-free day!

My overall Wii Fit age today was 28. My previous best time on the Wii Fit Basic Balance Test was 16.00 seconds (3.00, 3.15, 3.00, 3.85, 3.00).

1. When was your wedding day? June 24, 1995
2. What day of the week was it? Saturday
3. Did you get married in a church? The chapel on the drill field at Virginia Tech.
4. How many in your wedding party? 4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen, a reader, and a soloist. And a partridge in a pear tree.
5. Where was your reception? Blacksburg Community Center
6. How many guests were invited to your wedding? Around 125ish
7. How long did you wait to tie the knot after your proposal? 13 months
8. Who did you hire as your photographer & videographer? Local photographer guy (looking back, was far too expensive), and our friend Doug Gaff ran the video camera.
9. Did you have a DJ or a band? No, but we had a four instrument orchestra at the chapel.
10. Did your father walk you down the aisle? No, I was up front. But Laura’s dad walked her down.
11. What color were the bridesmaid dresses & groomsmen vests? Blue.
12. Who was your Maid Of Honor/Best Man? Heather Gillespie/Dan Farrar
13. Did you have a Bridal Shower? Yes, Laura did.
14. What type of limo did you get? We tried to be slick by renting one for driving us to Roanoke for our flight out of town. That way our car could get decorated and it wouldn’t be our problem. But the limo was late, so we ended up leaving the reception in our decorated car, driving around town for about an hour, then going back to the reception hall to wait for the limo.
15. Where did you go for your Bachelorette/Bachelor Party? I don’t remember. What happens in Blacksburg stays in Blacksburg. (That sounds naughtier than it really was.)
16. What type of wedding gown/tux did you two wear? Laura wore her mother’s wedding dress. I rented a tux.
17. How was the weather? Perfect.
18. Where did you go on your Honeymoon? It was a secret, I didn’t tell Laura where we were going until we were in the limo leaving town. The folks said we need to let them know, in case of emergency. So I left sealed envelopes to be opened only in case of emergency. When they opened the envelope minutes after we left, they found a sheet of phone numbers (but no locations).

    We stayed a night at the newly opened Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, VA (evacuated the building at 3 in the morning for a fire), a night in Miami, a 6 day cruise on Carnival Cruiselines (the Ecstasy was our ship) through the Caribbean, then two more nights in Miami. The extra two nights was actually less expensive than flying out right after the cruise got in.

19. What was your favorite part of your wedding day? Lots of great memories from that day. (1) Me marrying Edd (the minister). I said part of my vows to Edd, I forgot to turn and face Laura, so the first part of my bows I said to Edd. (2) During the solo (Love by Petra) we gave a rose to each of our parents, which was a surprise to them. We wanted to acknowledge them during the service. (3) At the reception I got the garter off of Laura’s leg, I had hidden a pair of bright pink boxers up my coat sleeve. So while I was removing the garter from Laura’s leg I actually was getting the boxers out of my sleeve. The triumphant reveal of boxers got a huge response. Too bad the video camera missed it. (4) When it was over. As fun as the day was, it was very stressful.
20. How long have you been married? 5175 days. 14 years 2 months today.

NEWPORT NEWS – David R. Willard Jr., 84, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at the home of his son, David R. Willard III (Randy and Judy).

David proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy, during WW II and the Korean War. Civilian employment included loan manager and automotive sales. David was active with Mended Hearts and served for many years as a volunteer at Riverside Regional Medical Center. At an early age, David became an avid reader, acquiring a vast knowledge of the world, becoming quite an educated gentleman. David was a longtime member of Hilton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Newport News.

David was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Manila.

David leaves behind to cherish his memories his sons, David R. Willard III (Randy and Judy) of Newport News, Jonathan T. Willard (Betsy) of York County; grandchildren, Michael Clark (Laura) of Woodbridge, Jonathan Clark (Sharon) of New Kent, Kailey Willard, Todd Willard; and great- grandson, Will Clark.

“Grandpa” adored his family, always teaching them integrity and honor. He was proud of his sons and grandchildren, always had a gleam in his eyes whenever they were together and especially enjoyed time spent together around the kitchen table.

David requested a public thank-you to Heather, Elisha, Jen, Dan and Meg of RRMC, for their assistance as he prepared to enter the Hospice Program. The RRMC Hospice Staff and W.J. Smith Funeral Home are to be commended for their assistance during this difficult time.

Along with David, the entire Willard family wishes to offer sincere appreciation to DR. KIMBERLY SCHLESINGER of the Peninsula Cancer Institute for her care, knowledge of treatment, compassion and friendship as we journeyed together in the treatment of our father, grandpa and friend. The true power of love can be felt through an embrace, and we thank you for yours!

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Hilton Christian Church, 100 James River Dr., Newport News with Pastor Terrye Williams officiating. All are invited to a reception in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

David will continue to help others learn through his gift to the Virginia State Anatomical Program. Any contributions may be made to the Food Bank VA Peninsula, 9912 Hoosier St., NN, VA 23601.

Are the rocks in your life in balance? It takes time, it’s not a quick process. And sometimes you’ll get hurt, so be careful.

More info about CHARGE is available at the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation web site.