Happy Sunday afternoon, my dear friend. I pray that your long, holiday weekend was filled with family, fireworks, laughter, hot dogs and all the things that bring joy to your life.

I hadn’t planned on writing on THIS subject today, truth be told. then, this morning at church, a good friend-Harry-told me to “keep up the blog and keeping it real.” Ah, a spark went off in the old cranium. KEEP. IT. REAL.

Ok, you want it, you got it. Parenting children, who are now adults, is hard. Jokingly I like to say, “the bank of mom and dad is ALWAYS open.” Couldn’t be more true over the past few months with Lily and her car. Granted, it is a 2014 model, but after paying another repair bill tomorrow, we will have spent $4600 in car repairs on that car in the last 4 months. Yikes! Oh, and do we get any financial help from her to pay for said repairs? You know the answer to that questions. Don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful that we are in a position to help her out, but gheez Louise, we’re ready to tap out! That’s real!

More “keeping it reel”. I’m a positive person. Always finding some sliver of silver lining to an otherwise negative situation. I’ve been on the road to getting my health back since my latest knee replacement surgery back last November. Something that brings me joy is getting outside on my bicycle. Well, I am now having issues there. Whatever this new “ache and pain” is, it only seems to occur after I’ve gone outside on a bile ride for an hour or so. Doesn’t bother me if I hope on the Peleton for 30-40 minutes. So, guess who’s heading BACK to physical therapy? Yep, you guessed it. Sooo frustrating. That’s real!

As you know, I sold my half of Jarrell Black & Co. back in May of 2023. Hard to believe it’s now been over 2 years ago. In my “dreams”, I guess, I would have done that and seen the business flourish. Would’ve seen the name of the business stay the same, after all, at that time I had built a great reputation in the business community over 35 years. At least I think so. However, my former partner had other, rather immediate plans. it has bothered me. More than, perhaps, it should. I know, I know, he bought the business and can do as he wishes. True, but…. Hey, just “keeping it real.”

Keeping it real. Do we REALLY do that anymore? I believe most of society lives by “FakeBook”. We live to show only the “best” part of our lives. Some are staged, some are not. I think a lot of what we “see” is just that: staged.

I am thankful that I have a few close friends that I can confide in, talk to, cry with, if need be. they know they can do the same with me. How about you? Do YOU have friends, anyone, that you can confide in? Keep it real with? I hope so. I pray so. We all have one friend that wants to hear us out. His name is Jesus. His ear is open. He is ready to hear you. Oh, and he’ll let you “keep it real.”

So there you go. Please know that in this blog I’ve been honest. I’ve been open. I’ve been real. If you are looking for that person that you can talk with, I am here for you.

Be well,

Jeff