The John McCain I Wish We Were Hearing About In The Media

I think many of you would agree with me that so far John McCain's presidential campaign has been lackluster, unfocused, uninspired and disappointing. He comes across as stiff, crotchety and cold--while Barack Obama seems young, hip, energetic, inspiring and likeable.

About two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending a fundraiser luncheon for a local Republican congresswoman, Thelma Drake. Karl Rove (The Architect), former Special Advisor to President George W. Bush was the keynote speaker.

If only the American voting public could hear the things Rove said about McCain that day, he (McCain) could win the election in a blowout! (Keep in mind, Rove is not a part of the McCain campaign.)

Rove told us about a John McCain who was a true hero during the war, a man who exhibited uncommon bravery and guts in the face of torture.

He told us about a man who had a big, loving heart and who without a moment's hesitation accepted into his heart and life a helpless, hopeless, little orphan girl from India.

He also told us the story of a man with magnificent faith in God, a man whose teachings gave his fellow prisoners the hope and motivation they needed to survive in a brutal North Vietnamese prison.

I left the luncheon feeling inspired and motivated to support McCain. I had learned about the personal side of MCain--the side we will never ever hear him talk about, and that's a shame.

Because beneath his gruff and crotchety exterior there is a man of real substance. A man of experience, a man who has been tested --a hero.

While McCain was not my choice for the Republican nomination, I can now vote for him with confidence in his character, strength and integrity. Hope you can too.

Keeping A Family Tradition Alive

Last weekend I attended my family reunion. It was the 87th Annual Ennis Family Reunion, held in Benson, NC. While going to a family reunion may not mean much these days to a lot of people -- it means a lot to me.

For one thing it's a braggin' rite. I know of no other family that has been gathering each year for 87 years (if you know of one please let me know). And the other big reason I make the effort to drive 200 miles each way to a reunion--is my dad.

Attending the family reunion each year was like Christmas to my dad, Preston Ennis. My dad was not a big, important man in the world's eyes. He didn't have a lot of money and he wasn't on anyone's Who's Who List-- but he was a hero to me.

He taught me some very simple but important values; values like the importance of visiting the sick and those who weren't able to get out and about, of taking time to write someone a short note, the value of being kind to people and treating everyone from the highest to the lowliest with respect, and the value of doing the right thing -- just because it's the right thing to do. He also demonstrated to me how important just showing up sometimes is--just to show support.

As our families live further and further apart, and our pace of living grows faster and gas prices soar to more than $4 a gallon,--there are a hundred reasons why not to attend a family reunion.

But there is one overriding reason I will always attend as long as I'm physically able to do so--To Honor my Father.

Dad, we had a good one this year. Wish you could have been there.