Tony Freitas is the person on far left. Thank you Tony #gooddad.
Before driving out of Walmart’s parking lot at 6:30 am, I realized I forgot my wallet at the Customer Service Counter, yikes, all kinds of thoughts rushing through my mind. What a terrible way to start the day!
About fifteen minutes later I get a call from the person who found the wallet, he came back to Walmart’s front of store loading zone and hands the wallet to me, wow, I’m so relieved.
A parent’s actions speak louder than words.
The best thing about the avoided disaster is when the father passes the wallet to me through the truck’s window and refuses to accept a reward. Watching in the truck is his wife and their young son. What a great lesson for the son, who was just taught about resisting temptation, honesty, and service above self. I saw and felt a wonderful feeling in the son’s and wife’s heart and eyes.
Thank you Tony Freitas you’re a #gooddad. Best wishes to you, your wife, and son. Keep up your good parenting!
Wishing you and your family a very happy, healthy and peace filled New Year. Photo taken by Karen Clark, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the most active volcano in the world.
As we begin a new year, make enjoying family time a New Year’s Resolution. That’s a resolution you’ll not regret and the benefits are eternal. Although you don’t see the benefits immediately, have faith and watch the fruits of your labor of precious time grow. We all need hugs and someone to be with. Here are some bonding and family time ideas.
Have weekly dinners with family, more often is great.
Do chores together and help one another, do family as a team.
Plan a vacation and travel together.
Look for special occasion to celebrate one another, such as birthdays, anniversaries, nation and local holidays.
Do camping trips together, enjoy the beach, mountains, snow, and outings
Enjoy sport events together.
Go to the movies or music event.
Play, teach, and listen to music and entertainment together.
Spend time with grandparents and family members who live at their own places.
Find a church you enjoy and attend regularly with family members.
Jeffo at the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Hawaii saving lives. “Best lifeguards on the Planet” Honolulu Magazine, December 2013.Excel Company hires Jeffo to model their new shark repelling wet suit. Photo taken by Excel two miles off shore Haleiwa, Hawaii
Haleiwa Hawaii – Today was Jeffo’s day off from his work. While on the golf course he get’s a call to take President Barack Obama for a jet ski ride; he didn’t answer his phone. Jeffo’s reply was, “missed a chance of a lifetime”. Jeffo and buddies have built a good reputation “Best Lifeguards on the Planet” by Honolulu Magazine December 2013.
Here’s our son Jeffery Okuyama, aka “Jeffo”, doing what he loves doing best, saving lives.
How did Jeffo get this way:
1) Show them how without fear or reservations. He started swimming before walking.
2) Dispel myths before the children watch the TV that may teach them fear. A good idea was taking the children to the graveyard on a full moon to share with the children how peaceful a graveyard is. The headstones were reflecting the full moon, we enjoyed the peacefulness.
3) During a freak 5:00 am, 80 mile per hour wind storm bringing the children out from their comfortable beds to show them this “cool” experience and opportunity was a good idea. Tall tree’s were snapping across the street; we just had to remind the children to be careful and be focused on what’s going on… think!
4) Prayer works. After winning the State swimming event for the Butter Fly stroke, Jeffo calls as I’m out-of-town, he asked “I prayed before the event, did that help?”
Today, Jeffo is a water safety officer for the City & County of Honolulu, “buddy doubles” as a stunt on Hawaii Five-O, swims with sharks in their caves, hire to do commercials, has a jet ski service business, gave Heather Locklear surfing lessons, and loves taking his niece for a swim or ride on the surfboard. Jeffo remains quiet and keeps a humble social presence. He love’s what he does, we thank God for everything.
We have three children, each one different, with different talents, skills, with the same friendly spirit with less fear than many.
Encourage and train them in the way to go. Have fun with your children and enjoy parenting.
3. Love is patient, kind, not envy, not boast, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrong doing, forgives, not delight in evil, rejoices with the truth, always protects, trusts, hopes, preserves. Love never fails.
5. Encouragement is needed to motivate and foster a child’s growth. Our words and actions will build or destroy a child’s future. Every child is different and has a special talent that needs nurturing.
6. Being too lenient is harmful and may produce spoiled children with super controlling egos, anarchism, and harmful pride.
Starts at Home 