Leonard Coughlin 1921-2008

Amanda's grandpa and Andrew's great grand-daddy Leonard passed away this week in his hometown outside Oklahoma City. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Leonard over the past few years, getting a taste of his happy-go-lucky-nature. In the short time I knew him, I discovered we had much in common. Both of us being born and raised in New England, we settled in the southwest after meeting the women of our dreams. During the second world war Leonard served in the Army Air Corp in Italy wrenching on B-17s. This just so happens to be my favorite vintage aircraft. Every time Amanda and I would go visit Grandpa Leonard, I would ask him to tell me all about the B-17s during the war. Without fail, His eyes would light up as he would tell me the story of how they made him a turret mechanic when he couldn't keep from getting airsick (he wanted to be an aerial gunner). After the war, He learned the lost art of watch repair (horology) and supported his wonderful family (pictured below). Leonard is loved by many and will surely be missed. I was reminded by his funeral that those in Christ never have to say goodbye.


(Wife Stephanie with Baby Boomers: Top, L-R Angie, Jeannie, Michele, Betsy, Pat (holding Danny) Front, Nina and Timmy

Tummy Time!

In this we trust or Chizzelwick Economics

As I lie awake in bed the other night I got to thinking about money. (you may notice the theme of my blog shifting from every single Drew poo to random thoughts and meanderings...hope you dont mind)

So anyway I was thinking about how much faith (trust) I have in the little green piece of paper pictured above. Truth be told, I rarely carry cash. These days all of my money is accounted for and all of my finances are done online.

Then I had a scary thought. Is my money even real?? I mean I never hold it, I never actually see it...its really just a bunch of numbers that zap back and forth through cyberspace. Direct deposit goes in..zap! Electric Bill, Water Bill, Mortgage go out...Zapp, Zapp, Zapp! Back and forth it goes on and on.

Then I thought, one of these days I am going to walk into the bank and ask for all my money in 1's. This way I can actually see it, smell it, and hold it. Reality struck as it occurred to me that I probably only have enough to fill a pickle jar (small one at that). But thats not the point. Its only numbers on a screen or small pieces of smelly green paper. By now you must be thinking "yur such and idiot Curt..money is all about what it can do for you." Sure, money can do lots of things for us no doubt...so long as there is something behind it. So what is behind our money? I suppose its the grace of the US government. Who trusts that?

Then I remembered hearing about that dude somewhere that is all wound up about taking the slogan "In God we trust" off our greenbacks. We probably have different motives but I agree, lets get it the heck off of there! Its a big lie. Instead I say we replace it with "In this we trust."

My prayer that night: "Lord, help me to trust you the way I trust my money"

Cinco Amigos

Andrew, Amanda and I are blessed to have the best friends anyone could ask for. Pictured above are Andrew's bestest buddies (BFF). The bookends are Kenya Grace Delgado (left) and Elizabeth Hodges (right). Second from the left is Jadyn Margret Sappington and second from the right is Noah Calfee.

More photos here and here.