All of us have reasons for doing what we do. The reason frankly matter’s not. I suppose the fact that there is a reason for everyone, is good enough.
I’ve selected this forum to talk about my reason for doing what I do. Why I am who I am. Why my dreams hope and inspirations are all about Margaret. Please indulge me for a minute before I tell you WHY.
I first met my wife when I was only a child. I had recurring dreams about her. Her red hair was always a beacon for me as we enjoyed each other in my dreams, as a boy. It wasn’t until 1994 when I actually “met” the woman of my dreams on a blind date. Imagine waiting all those years. At that moment in time, everything was suddenly worth it. The hardships, the challenges, the triumphs that had once seemed so hollow, they all became worth it because they brought me to the moment in time when I would finally meet the woman of my dreams.
My wife is much younger than me. When I was having dreams of her, she had not yet even been born. While we were in the same state, we were many miles from each other. It was just another one of life’s little miracles that we even met. However, we finally met on the 26th of August and married on the 25th of October of 1994. As old blue eyes would say (Frank Sinatra), it was a very good year.
Today, she is now the (step) Mother to six children and the Grandmother of ten. She’s married to a serial entrepreneur that works many hours each day for the future of others and she’s OK with that. She’s even supportive. She’s more supportive than anyone can imagine, unless you’re also the wife of an entrepreneur.
Margaret is my best friend. She’s always there for me and would drop anything to help or support me. She is the one person that never lets me down. She can be counted on and is up for anything, if I think it’s important. She’s now worked for someone else for more than 30 years. She knows that I have client’s in my past that I haven’t worked with for 30 minutes.
Margaret is a great mother. She didn’t ask to be, she just is. She listens, she’s helpful, she’s understanding and she’s supporting. She cares! As a Grandmother she’s called Grandma or Nana. She loves being around little children. She delights in their love of her and I watch with joy as they go to her for love, attention and of course FOOD.
Margaret is a great friend to those she cares about. She’s a great leader and so many people count on her. She is also their rock.
Margaret loves and respects her parents that are both 86 years old. She appreciates and remembers the sacrifices that they made for her. It wasn’t always easy but they did it. She is also a great daughter.
Margaret, I love you. I always have and I always will. I’m so grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made on my behalf and that of our children and grandchildren. I so very proud of what you have accomplished in life and the place of prominence you have in our hearts and minds. Thank you for all that you’ve given and give to me each day. Thank you for being with me every step of the way. Thank you for your love. I”m so appreciative of the fact that you choose me. I glad you agreed to marry me.
I love you Toots!
Caption: Montebello American Legion Post 272 Commander Robert Espinoza and Color Guard present Principal Jeff Schwartz with an American flag flown on an Aero Medical flight in Iraq.
Story: American Legion Post 19th District Commander Bill Musser presents Montebello Principal Jeff Schwartz with an American Flag. This American Flag was given to Montebello High School by MSGT Valerie H. Stumph of the 332nd Expeditionary Aero Medical Evacuation Unit stationed in Balad, Iraq.
Then . . .in March of 2006
Today, we received an email that discussed the event (in the picture) where students were protesting immigration legislation. This event actually happened in March of ‘06.
It has been shown that when people get something for FREE, they abuse it and then claim it as a right! We have many examples of this in our American culture history. This doesn’t make it right.
When I was in my youth back in the ’50s, families that immigrated to the U.S. from all over the world were so proud of what they had accomplished. They learned English and became American citizens. They all contributed to the strong fabric of America. I have always believed that this heritage and mix of cultures is part of what makes America such a great place. It’s part of why so many of us have fought for the freedom and right to become an American citizen.
At the same time, here’s what we didn’t fight for. The right to riot when you’re not even a citizen and worse yet, illegally in this country. We didn’t fight so that illegal citizens could demand that those of us that are citizens would pay to provide education, welfare, healthcare and so many other benefits for FREE. Every CITIZEN is entitled to rights based on our Constitution. Notice, CITIZEN. Shouldn’t those who are not citizens be working to achieve these same rights that many of us have fought for? These great men and women fought for the rights of U.S. citizens. They also fought for the right to become a U.S. citizen. We also believe that people can become one if they work for it. Our parents, grandparents and great grandparents fought for it.
Why do those who are here illegally feel they have a RIGHT to all the benefits of being a citizen without “working or fighting for it?
This single issue may once again divide America.
Anyone that knows me knows that I believe in being a global citizen. We should all be. This means that we respect the languages, culture and traditions of every country, including the United States.
The real question here is, what are your thoughts? Do you feel that this is right? Do those individuals that have cheated, lied and under cover arrived in our nation have a right to all that we enjoy as citizens? If you think so, why? As one person said in an email, is this really about cheap tomatoes?
Source:
From 1985 to 1996 I worked exclusively within the healthcare arena. Working with the State of California, insurers, attorneys, hospitals, large physician practices and individual physicians. Each of these organizations and/or inviduals have a different point of view.
Complicating matters are the cost of insurance for the healthcare provider, legislation that drives up costs to insure compliance and the countless number of mid level companies that provide services to the industry in general.
Not long ago I was in India where Dr. Davi Shettie, a world class surgeon specializing in cardiovascular surgery provided me with a tour of his hospital. It was important to note that the cost of constructing his very large hospital (1,000 new patients per day) was not that much. It also didn’t take that much time. And yet, when we toured the recovery areas, the patient rooms and looked at the number of staff to the number of patients, we were amazed. You’ll not find as many people looking after the interests of the patients here in America. So, is the care in America that much better? I’m not a physician. I can only tell you that as a patient, it would be great to receive the level of care that’s provided in the example given.
Back home in America, especially in California; we’ve lost sight of what we’re supposed to be doing. The process of building a hospital is long and arduous at best. The number of inspections, the number of times that inspectors must inspect, their power, the cost of the simpliest of items, when applied to a hospital environment; it all adds up.
Within our society are some very sick people. These people need expensive care. Not everyone needs that level of care. Shouldn’t charges be based on the level of need? Why can’t we employ a re-insurance mechanism to help defer costs? Why can’t we look for common ground instead of “my ground?” Too many special interests.
I know that this is controversial but we have to start talking more about solutions instead of individual (provider and supplier) needs.
What do you think?
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle, 32 Degree, K.C.C.H. Mason, Serial Entrepreneur, Chairman & CEO, Leader, Speaker, Philanthropist, Veteran, and Friend.
A successful entrepreneur with 23 companies to his credit, Mr. Rawson is focused on solutions that provide sustainable answers to domestic and global issues. 
