Scott Diamond

By now all of you know I have been in Law Enforcement for over 20 years. One can only imagine the tragedies and destruction I have witnessed through some of the most turbulent years in Los Angeles history.

I had my 52nd birthday last week and I think I am becoming like a bottle of wine,finer with old age. Certain things that never used to bother me, such as a sentimental movie or touching stories seem to give me a little knot in my throat.

As I have said before many times I have been blessed with so much in my life and now that I have the Two sets of twins I know, I definitely am.

In todays Los Angeles Times there is an article written by Randy Pausch who is a College Professor who was forced to retire due to pancreatic cancer and the diagnosis of only about 3 months to live.

Randy is married to the love of his life and together they have 3 children under the age of 6 years. As Randy prepared to give his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University where he taught Computer Science,his 6 year old son told him to tell his students, "Please tell them about having fun,because that's what I'll remember you for"

Randy had a realization as I did many years ago, each of us must make a decision whether to be the fun loving "Tigger" the laughable wonderful Tiger from Winnie the Pooh or to be Eeyore,the sad-sack unmotivated Donkey from the same Winnie the Pooh stories.

In bold letters in the article Randy said, " I KNOW I AM DYING, SO HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO TELL MY CHILDREN"

LET KIDS BE THEMSELVES:::::

I want my kids to become what they want to become and not try and figure out what I wanted them to become! I also want them to feel as if I am there with them no matter what path they choose.

MAKE TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS:::::

Time is all you have, and you may find one day you have less than you think!

LOOK FOR THE BEST IN EVERYBODY:::::

If you wait long enough people will surprise and impress you.When your frustrated with people,when your angry with people,it may be because you have not given them enough time. In the end people will show you their good side,just keep waiting it will come out.

These three things I have practiced for years, and more so since the twins were born. For those of you who know me out of Law Enforcement might still wonder how a cop with 20 plus years is not a hard nose S.O. B.

It's like a Poker game,you have to put on your Poker face when you go to work and there are many times you have to be aggressive and many times you have to bluff in my line of work.

Reading articles about people like Randy who was given only 3 months to live last September and is still with us today, should give us all the will to become better in any thing we do in our lives and to be thankful for each and everyday that comes and goes.

You have heard the words more than once I am sure, "Live each and everyday as your last" I always have and always will and I thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to talk with you, sit at a Poker table with you, or just hang out.

God Bless Randy Pausch and his family .....Take Care

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