Thanks, NYC. Back home in TX

 

    Safely back in Texas, let me dwell for a moment on some memories of the last few days-- images of a great trip to New York capped with a return to Texas for Ethan’s 9th birthday Sunday.

    You have to know how cool-- beyond cool-- it was to fly up there and guest host the Rush Limbaugh show for two days.  Part of that is self-evident, but you also need to know how additionally special it is because of the welcome I get from the people I am privileged to work with when I do this.  So let's establish that if I had come up here to do some radio and done nothing else, it would have been great.

    But as it so happens, my joy is compounded by the company of my wife and son on this trip.   Next time we have to complete the family circle by clearing out some work days for Regina.  From climbing rocks in Central Park to exploring the FAO Schwarz toy store to picking a Greenwich Village street to hunt for a restaurant, this trip was a tonic for the soul.

    And that's before we even get to the 9/11 memorial.

 

    I had visited it before, when I spent two days in New York between Iowa and New Hampshire election coverage in January.  It was cold and cloudy and incredibly moving.  This time was different.  It was warm, sunny and even more affecting because Lisa and Ethan were with me.

    There is something about bringing your family here.  There is something about bringing a child here, particularly one born just a year or so after the attacks.  Ethan will turn 9 this weekend, and he is just old enough to start understanding what happened here-- not the intricacies of terrorism, but the broad basics of his country under attack and what we have done since to respond to those attacks and hopefully prevent them in the future.

It is at once a somber and uplifting experience.  Water rushes into enormous square fountains at the spot of the North and South Tower footprints.    It is an honor to walk this hallowed ground, and it is inspiring to look to the south and see the new One World Trade Center tower rising from what were once the ashes of mass murder.

I can say all day long that every American should visit that spot, and make the cliché suggestion that 9/11 images should air somewhere every week, if not every night.  But a war-weary country cannot be dragged back to the righteous indignation we properly felt so briefly after the attacks.  Our enemies will fight with boundless energy for centuries.  We got tired after a couple of years.  My continuing prayer is that we do not need another 9/11 to remind us of what we are up against.

Okay, time for some uplift.  Our NY trip was magnificent, and if there’s anything I want to put in your head, it is the magnificence of Central Park.  There is nothing like it in the world.  Such a vast pastoral space plunked in the middle of one of the highest population density cities on Earth.  Just incredible.  We go all the time, and from the restaurants to the neighborhoods to the people-- yes, the people-- it is always a delight.

 

And it is always great to come home.  We landed Saturday night with a busy list of duties before Ethan’s birthday the following day.  We had done most of the cleaning and prepping and logistics work, so it was really just a matter of making sure the cake was ready (Angry Birds) and the balloons were ready (Party City) and Domino’s could have eight large pizzas ready to go for pickup at the appointed time.  

The weather was great, the kids went nuts in the pool for an hour, chowed like hungry wolves and then sat down for the talents of my buddy Christopher Lyle,   the magician we had seen several times at a nearby restaurant.  Five minutes at tableside are nothing compared to what this guy trots out for a full hour show, or 45 minutes, or whatever time you want him to fill.  And if you wisely secure his balloon skills as well, your day is complete.    “Balloon animals” is but a fraction of his craft-- the guy does balloon people, balloon monsters, balloon concept art (ask for the ball striking the bowling pins)--  it defies belief.  As it should with a magician, right?   Anyway, the weekend was just great, and now here we are in the midst of a week filled with some anticlimactic primaries, Trayvon martin case developments and stories I’d be all over if I had a radio show.

And on that subject, I ask your patience.  The status quo remains the same (as status quos tend to do, or they wouldn’t be status quos)--  anything is possible and all options are open.  I am restrained from fully examining some of those options until next month, so hang with me here and I’ll have details on my next exploits as soon as I can offer them.

Meanwhile, back soon with topical material and maybe a photo album of some stuff going on in my world.  God bless all of you, and thanks for hanging in there with me.

 

 

Comments

[2ndLeicester]

Hanging on till there's no more reason to hang, Mark.

I did enjoy the Rush show with you last week. This radio thing might turn into a profession--keep up with it.

And your boy is the cutest little man ever. He's going to break some hearts when he gets older.

God's richest blessings and warmest greetings,
Kathy

[A Facebook User]

Just wanted to say HI!!! Have thoroughly enjoyed following the blog. I know the LORD will help you to land exactly where he needs/wants you. God bless you and your family. Nice to see you having fun with the time. Also, my daughter's 5th birthday was Saturday 4/20... didn't realize your boy's was so close. Take care and have a great week.

[Bryan Wicks]

Thanks for the update! Loved your shows on the EIB network last week, and your son is blessed to have such great parents. Continue to post when you can, and never forget to live like you really mean it! ;-)

[William Swafford]

Next month doesn't seem that far away. I enjoyed hearing you on the radio filling in for Rush. Seems like you and the family had a great time in NYC. Have a great day and will check on any updates from you.

[Mark]

Mark, until you land a "real" radio gig, can you please do a web-based streaming radio show? I'm having withdrawals here. Help a brother out. Sign up on Ustream and have us all call you on your cell or something, you don't need a call screener, we'll be cool, promise. Doesn't have to be 3 hours a day, just an hour, hour and a half each morning is all we ask.

Thanks,
-Mark

P.S. I'm totally going to steal the angry birds cake idea for my own son's party this summer. Probably can not afford the balloon guy.

[Julie Songy]

Just wanted to say I really hope you have a radio show back on in this area soon! I'm still wanting you to be back on WBAP and have been writing and calling them. I have really loved your show and miss it. They (the new owners) messed with my stuff, and I don't like it. Hope to hear you again soon!

[Tim]

Mark
I just realized your off WBAP. Whats going to be next?

[Teresa]

Thanks for keeping us informed - will be waiting for news!

My favorite part of the balloons/kids photo is the parents in shadow. Nicely done, if perhaps unintentional!

[David]

Mark,
You don't realize how important something or someone is until they're gone. The time we've spent together over the air waves has meant so much over these years. You are one of the few radio men who backs up what they say on the air. Concise, clear, conservatism. Pro-American, pro-life, pro-freedom, pro-marketplace. There is a hole in Radio Land right now without you in it. I pray it will be filled soon. I will follow your voice to the next place you land, and I hope it is soon. I can't listen to the old station anymore; quite angry to tell you the truth. Perhaps they realize how much they're missing when you're gone too. For now, my friend, best to you and your family.