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Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
August has been a big month for my family. Years ago, when we had the custom of trading small gifts with relatives, August was the reason we stopped. There were too many birthdays mounting in August so our family quit giving gifts for each extended family member's birthday. That was just my own family. Then I married and August got even more interesting. Counting birthdays and anniversaries August is a definite "avoid-buying-gifts-at-all-costs" type of month. Let me fill you in.
On August 1 there are the birthdays of my nephews Scott Snyder (my side) and Wade Johnson (wife's side), my niece Mary Ann (wife's) and my mother-in-law, Eleanor Fridley (whom we all miss so terribly). Add to the birthdays the anniversary of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruth and Ernie Johnson. Today's birthdays (August 4) are my nephew Todd Snyder and our very close friend Paula Ater. On August 8 is my youngest son Sean's birthday with August 10 serving as my birthday and that of my cousin, Andy Gregory, on my mom's side.
Hang on, there's more. August 16 is the birthday of my beloved sister, Peg Siler, mother of Scott and Todd, who lost a battle with cancer just days after her fifty-ninth birthday. August 19 is the birthday of our niece, Amanda (wife's). Then comes the biggy. August 20. On that day this year my wife and I will celebrate thirty-five years of marriage. Finally, on August 28 (I think that's right) the father of Scott and Todd, Danny Snyder, celebrates his birthday. But I'm not finished.
This very day is the also the birthday of some of my favorite sports personalities. Roger Clemens turns forty-four today. My favorite NASCAR driver, Jeff Gordon, turns thirty-five today. Last night's hard luck pitcher for my favorite "we-can't-score-any-runs" Cincinnati Reds, Eric Milton, turns thirty-one today. However, the one I must mention is the man who turns fifty-six just five days after I do so. That's the former manager of the Minnesota Twins, Tom Kelly. He spells his last name different. The aristocracy has the extra "e" before the "y".
Got one more birthday for you. March 19, 1961. That person is now forty-five years old. That person is me. Yeah, I know. I told you August 10. I didn't lie. August 10 was the day I was physically born. March 19 was the date of a different birth. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." John 3:5 Jesus told Nicodemus that almost two thousand years ago. Forty-five years ago I was born of water and the Spirit as I gave my life to Jesus, was baptized and received His indwelling presence. Do you have a spiritual birthday? I hope you do.
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...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
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