"Bracketing" by Scott Skelton

Sept. 11th 2009

sskelton — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:15:53 +0000

I remember exactly where I was 8 years ago. I was taking depositions in our back conference rooms with local attorney, Claude Welch, on a car wreck case. I still remember my client. I see him every week on my Sam’s run.

I can’t believe that that has been 8 years. A lot has transpired in our nation and personally. Like our nation I have tried to turn an adversity into the affirmative. Likewise, I can’ t believe it has been 7 months since the transplant.

I continue to work and play. Everything is going well and I continue to be blessed.

The one thing I wish is that our Country would remember how connected and unified we felt on September 12th. Tomorrow, wake up and resolve to make our country a better place — only by being a better neighbor, friend, or colleague.

My Wonderful Dad

sskelton — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:03:22 +0000

Mom and Dad were here for Fathers Day. They actually were here to pick up the girls to take them to Port Aransas. Sheila and I are not going until Tuesday. I have a couple of hearings that I can’t get moved.

Anyway, as I sat in my study on Sunday morning drinking coffee and reading the paper with my Dad and discussing the news and other topics, I was thinking how lucky and blessed I am to have a father like him. First, it was wonderful to grow up in a house with him. He did everything for us. Sacrificed when need. Took us neat places. Hunting. Camping. Ball games. Skiing. Vacations. He made it all happen.

Second, he taught me how to work. Being a professional is not easy. It isn’t necessarily meant to be. You get the rewards and they can be wonderful. But you get the headaches too. Watching him has helped me navigate my professional career. What a blessing.

Third, Dad and I are friends. It is wonderful as you grow older to become friends with your father. I still ask for the occasional advice. More often than not he just helps me process rather than giving me an answer. (That is true wisdom.) But we are hunting buddies and Apple geeks and camera buffs together. We like to go and do together. I has been truly fun to experience that.

Lastly and most importantly, Dad has taught and shown me faith. Not the showy kind. But the steady, consistent, non wavering kind. The kind that grows and last and matures.

To sum it up, I’ve been blessed to have a father that I can pattern my life after. And after all, isn’t that what fathers are all about, showing their sons and daughters the way and the Way.

Thanks Dad. I love you.

Scott.

All continues to go well

sskelton — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:13:48 +0000

I have just so busy with work and life in general I haven’t posted of late. My labs are good and I have had no set backs. Exercising daily very hard. Riding my mountain bike mainly. Riding some pretty technical trails at the Lufkin’s Kitt McKonnico Park. Also riding in my neighborhood. I can ride 8.5 miles in under 32 minutes which is averaging under 4 minutes per mile.

Keith and I continue to stay in touch for both work and personally. We had the privilege last Saturday of keeping Keith and Kate’s kids while they went to the funeral for Kate’s aunt.

Lauren is busy with soccer practice this summer and staying in shape for JV soccer. She is doing a great job of working out daily. She gives me a run for my money. Won’t be long until she can take me.

Allison is busy too. She just finished her Spring Dance Recital. She plays so hard all day she just falls in bed.

Sheila is glad to be out of school. However, she is already getting ready for next school year. I think that that is the definition of dedication.

We are going to Port Aransas for a few days and then to Colorado for a week. The girls are going to stay a few extra days and then fly back to Houston by themselves. The are getting so independent.

Thank all you for think of and praying for me and my family. Those prayers are appreciated and coveted.

More later.

Scott.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom.

sskelton — Sun, 10 May 2009 01:43:37 +0000

Dear Mom,

On Mother’s Day let me just say one more time how thankful I am for you and all that you do for me. Thanks so much for taking a month off to be my nurse and driver. Although, I’d rather have not have had the surgery, the time with you was very special and something most 42 year olds don’t have the opportunity to do. Just another blessing that has come from my situation.

Of course you’ve always been there when I need you with wise counsel, an open mind, friendship and all the love anyone could ever hope for. I hope that I can be the parent to my girls that you have been to me. You’ve set a great example and a high bar. I love you so much and enjoy our great gab sessions as I walk around the golf course getting my exercise at night. Those are highlights to me and I will never forget them.

So again, happy Mother’s Day. Thanks for everything that you have done and will do for me and my family. I love you dearly.

Love,

Scott.

What is important?

sskelton — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:42:10 +0000

I read this article in the Houston Chronicle today and wanted to share it.

Pastor Gregg Matte, Houston’s First Baptist Church

April 17, 2009

Pastor Gregg Matte: Five reasons I love this recession

I bet that title got your attention. Of course,

I’m not excited about people in pain or need,

but there is some good that can come out of

our nation’s economic situation. Here are a

few thoughts:

1. The recession reveals our love of money.

It’s interesting how losing money affects us so

much more than making money. When

everything is climbing, we don’t feel it

emotionally like we do during a downturn.

2. The recession reveals silly spending. Was

the value of coffee ever four bucks a cup?

No. But now we realize things worthy of

purchasing and the value of saving money.

We are all wasteful with our money in some

way. The recession trims the silliness off our

budget.

3. The recession reveals sin — Ponzi schemes, greed and the sin of my own

heart. Selfish thoughts abound during these times. We just want to know how

our personal lifestyle will be impacted. Remember, there is always someone

in worse shape in need of encouragement and prayer.

4. The recession provides a teachable moment. It is good for our children to

see us tighten our proverbial belt. Help them understand by talking with them

about it openly. They are the next generation to work on Wall Street and

Main Street, so let’s take this opportunity to teach. The recession also

teaches adults the burden of debt and the power of bad decisions. We now

realize the hard way the simple truth, “Don’t buy things you can’t afford and

don’t need.” That’s the deal. Period. End of story. Wants and needs are

vastly different. Help your kids to understand this truth.

5. The recession reminds us where life is found. Relationships with others

and with Christ – that’s life. Be thankful. Pray. Talk to a friend instead of

watching a movie. Play in the yard hitting a ball instead of hitting the mall.

Life is not found in stuff. Life is found by fulfilling God’s purpose — and I can’t

find a verse in the Bible that says where that can purchased. It is given freely

in Christ.

Of course, I don’t love the recessionary layoffs and losses, but my heart and

yours need to learn their lessons. Let’s be smart with our money in these

times — and wise with our hearts.

I don’t think I can add anything better.

Scott.

Busy, Interesting Times

sskelton — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:41:41 +0000

I have not really had anything new to post lately. I go back to the doctor on April 29th. I continue to feel good and am very busy with my work and family schedule. Allison’s soccer league is in full swing and Lauren’s team is playing weekend tournaments once every month. We continue you to be busy with youth group and church. Allison will be baptized tomorrow and we are thankful, excited and blessed. She truly understands her relationship with Christ and her new life in Him.

On another note, I had been very busy at work. As many of you in Lufkin know, Jeff Chance has decided to leave the Firm and start a practice on his own. I’m saddened to lose my friend as a partner. However, I’m thankful that I work at the firm where I do that has supported me through my kidney transplant. I’m also thankful for my many resourceful and bright partners who will continue on representing our clients to our usual high standards. We all wish Jeff and his family the best. I’m sure Jeff and I will be collaborating as usual and litigation matters that come his way.

I’ll keep you posted……

Scott

Dallas Transplant Institute Check Up on April 1st

sskelton — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:47:21 +0000

I went to Dallas Transplant Institute on April 1st for a check up. It was a normal day at the clinic. They drew blood for labs. Saw the nurse for vital signs and weight and then saw the doctor. Was there about 1 hour. My labs values were perfect. Creatine level (the value that measures kidney function) was a 1.4 which is really good and is holding steady. So all is well and I continue to have no problems.

I was told that I no longer have to check my blood sugar every day. Just do it a couple of times a week. The doctor told me that I could do all the activities that I could handle without discomfort. So I’m really only limited by my own ability to do the activity comfortably.

…. and I weighed the same as the day I left!

I go back in one month, April 29th, for another check up and a Glofil test. Keith has to do another Glofil as well and he was going to schedule his that day too. So we will have a contest: Which kidney works best in whose body. I’m kinda taking the Bum Phillips quote to heart: ”Bear Bryant could take his’n and beat your’n, or he could take your’n and beat his’n.” I think I can take Keith’s kidney and beat him at the Glofil test. I declare a challenge.

We continue to feel very blessed by the whole process. Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated. I thank you all for all the support you’ve shown me, my family and Keith and his family.

Scott

A visit with special friends

sskelton — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:34:52 +0000

This past Saturday we traveled to Longview to visit and spend the night with the Langstons. As most of you will know Keith was my living kidney donor. By way of background, Keith and I have known each other for over 5 years through our work. I had met his wife, Kate, on one other occasion. I don’t think I had met the Kids. Keith and Kate have four children: William age nine, Adeline age 7, Margaret almost 4 and Thomas almost 3. Sheila and I have two children: Lauren 13 and Allison 9.

You would have thought the kids had been friends all there life. Allison and William hit it off playing soccer and they were thick as thieves the rest of the weekend. Adeline was drawn to Lauren and before long Lauren was giving her piggy back rides and watching movies. Margaret entertained us all and Thomas was fun too. (The adults had a great evening too.)

We all had a great time visiting and are sure that there will be many more in the future. We hope to get to see them Easter when they are in Lufkin visiting Kate’s family.

I go to the clinic Wednesday. Should be uneventful as all my labs have been good every week. I report after I’m done.

Take care all.

Scott.

The sanctity of…..

sskelton — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:21:06 +0000

Sanctity: noun. ultimate importance and inviolability.

Just wondering. Have we lost the sanctity of ….. you fill in the blank. Family, relationships, worship? I don’t mean in the political correctness sense. I mean in the “true meaning” and “of first importance” sense. It seems to me that every thing is faster, busier, bigger, showier, more over the top, etc. Where is the time for true relationships, conversation and meaning?

One of my friends writes on her Facebook page about sitting on the porch in a rocking chair watching her children play in the front yard with neighborhood friends. This almost seems “Mayberry” in 2009. But it shouldn’t. It should be the norm. We should take time to sit, listen and watch. We should take time to “Be Still and Know…..” Know that God is God and we aren’t and that he has a plan for us if we will listen. Know our spouse. Know our children. Know our neighbors. Be still and know.

Have we filled up our lives with showy fluff. Or is our life full of meaning and substance. When we worship are we focused on God or the script (of the show) and whether we “like” it. What are we at worship for anyway?

I like, no love, modern life. I like the convenience. I like the connectivity. I like the information. I like the productivity.

But I don’t like the speed, hurry and fuss. And bigger and bolder is not always better; often not.

If we are not careful we will lose the sanctity of living and worshiping and serving God. If we are not careful we will lose the sanctity of thought, reflection, prayer and study all in the name of speed and multitasking. (Can you keep from texting and checking email on your phone during church? Mostly, I can’t.)

I don’t have this figured out or even thought out. I’m just thinking and thanking God for sanctity.

Remember the things of ultimate importance.

Scott

A weekend of normalcy….

sskelton — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:58:48 +0000

We spent a normal weekend — well at least for us. We went to Clear Lake, Texas for a upper level competition soccer tournament. Our girls are trying to make the jump from Division II to Super 2. We have won two State Championships in D2 and it was time to go to the next level. To do that we have been playing tournaments this spring to play a higher level of competition. They played in Austin while I was in Dallas recuperating. This weekend was the 2nd of four that we will play. We improved and even won one game. You can really see the girls learning to play at the higher speed and with more aggressive competition. See the photos that I’ve attached of Lauren getting her body on a girl trying to take a shot. The girl was knocked to the ground and took some time getting up. Pretty normal at this level.

I continue to do very well. Labs look great. Exercising daily. Even did 30 minutes a night on the treadmill at the hotel. At home I’m on my mountain bike. I really like that for getting a good workout. Plus it helps with stemming the potential loss of bone density due to my medication.

Next weekend we go to spend the night with Keith and Kate and their kids. Keith, Kate, Sheila and I are going to a dinner where Everson Walls is speaking about his kidney donation to Ron Springs. It will be fun to have our two families together.

We have been very blessed and we continue to appreciate your prayers and thoughts. I go back to the Dallas Transplant institute on April 1st, but expect no surprises.

Scott