Al Rocker, the Today Show weatherman and co-host was featured this month on the cover of one of the magazines I read each month, “Guideposts.” On turning 70, he shared with readers how he is approaching life differently after a 2022 health scare.
He wrote:
“It may sound strange, considering I make my living on television and have been the weatherman and co-host of the Today show for 29 years, but in my personal life, I shy away from the spotlight. I’d musch rather celebrate someone else, make a big deal out of their birthday instead of my own. Which is why I tried my best to dissuade my wife, Deborah Roberts, from throwing a party for my birthday last August. But I knew I couldn’t stop her. It was a milestone birthday, after all – my seventieth. The truth was, I was feeling a little melancholy about turning seventy. My dad never made it to this age. He passed away at 69. Dad was my role model and inspiration for being a good husband and father. I was theoldest of six kids, and three of my siblings were adopeted, Mom and Dad brought foster children into our home, too. Sometimes people would ask why they’d taken on raising so maky children, and Dad would always say simply, “There is no limit to how much you can love.”
After describing his near-death experience, he concluded:
“My health scare reminded me that life is an ephemeral gift that we’ve been given by God, and we need to appreciate and honor it. So I spent a lot of time talking to people… telling them how I feel about them. The people I care about, the people I love, I want to make sure they know. I’ve been more intentional about that, evn after I made a full recovery and returned to the Today show.”
I challenge each of us to commit to this same message. Let your feelings out! Let the people you love, the people you care about, KNOW! Be intentional!!
Love, JanBeek
P.S. I love you for visiting my blog. I’ll love you even more if you leave a comment below so I can hear from you and respond.
There was a line in one of those 1980’s Vietnam movies which is appropriate. There’s something about death that really wakes you up. I recently reconnected with a guy who lived around the corner from me in grade school, San Mateo. Kevin. Kevin is the kind of guy who thinks that this life is the movie previews for a life to come to a theater near you. I recently told him, you’re 67, wake up. This is the only life you are going to know in this lifetime. I connected with Kevin last year. He has cancer and diabetes. So, I had a heart to heart talk with him. When he started sliding off the abyss, he asked me for help again. So, I got him on the regiment that helped me and about four dozen others. He’s on the mend now, and hopefully he’ll be ok in three more months. Thank God that I reconnected when I did. God has a plan for all of us. Kevin never believed in God, even though as 12 year olds he witnessed an event that even today he remembers. And reconnecting now when he was dying, and is on the mend, he’s thinking about this whole God thing. But, this near death event, has possibly awaken his journey in life. He now has a girlfriend, is starting to pull himself out of the bottom of his self imposed prison. Something about death…it does wake you up.
Bob says, Ya – it wake you up if you’re fortunate and you’re listening! God bless you for reaching out to others and sharing your experiences & wisdom!
You are right, it is important to let our loved ones know how loved they are. Sometimes they are busy and distracted, but they need us to remind them from time to time how much they mean to us.
A great post. Jan. I hope your are all healed up and going strong again!?
Years ago, I managed a group of technical staff. They told me they wanted me to stop by each of their offices for one 5-minute visit each week, just to chat about life (no work talk). I hadn’t realized this was important to them. I began working on being more intentional in letting them know I appreciated them. I confess that I had to put those visits on my calendar so I wouldn’t forget.
Thank you for this wonderful share Jan… We never know when our health may take a sudden turn… I know my hubby nearly died, a few years back. And in a blink of an eye, things could have been so different had it not been for our quick thinking Dr on call who got him rushed through to Emergency treatment with blue lights. I tell him and my family I love them all the time… 🙂
Love you and your big heart dear Jan… Much love my friend xx <3
Comments on: "Letting My Feelings Out" (18)
Wonderful Jan! THank you! Love you too!
Miss seeing you up close and personal, Fran. Stay warm! Come see us when you venture out.
There was a line in one of those 1980’s Vietnam movies which is appropriate. There’s something about death that really wakes you up. I recently reconnected with a guy who lived around the corner from me in grade school, San Mateo. Kevin. Kevin is the kind of guy who thinks that this life is the movie previews for a life to come to a theater near you. I recently told him, you’re 67, wake up. This is the only life you are going to know in this lifetime. I connected with Kevin last year. He has cancer and diabetes. So, I had a heart to heart talk with him. When he started sliding off the abyss, he asked me for help again. So, I got him on the regiment that helped me and about four dozen others. He’s on the mend now, and hopefully he’ll be ok in three more months. Thank God that I reconnected when I did. God has a plan for all of us. Kevin never believed in God, even though as 12 year olds he witnessed an event that even today he remembers. And reconnecting now when he was dying, and is on the mend, he’s thinking about this whole God thing. But, this near death event, has possibly awaken his journey in life. He now has a girlfriend, is starting to pull himself out of the bottom of his self imposed prison. Something about death…it does wake you up.
Bob says, Ya – it wake you up if you’re fortunate and you’re listening! God bless you for reaching out to others and sharing your experiences & wisdom!
I like being intentional! I love you and Uncle Bob very much!!!
An excellent message
Thank you, Derrick. ❤️ Have a lovely weekend! My new pup is s’posed to arrive today!!!
Woof, woof
You are right, it is important to let our loved ones know how loved they are. Sometimes they are busy and distracted, but they need us to remind them from time to time how much they mean to us.
A great post. Jan. I hope your are all healed up and going strong again!?
Thank you, Dwight. My leg wound is s-l-o-w-l-y healing. Life’s looking up!
Good! Take good care of it.
Years ago, I managed a group of technical staff. They told me they wanted me to stop by each of their offices for one 5-minute visit each week, just to chat about life (no work talk). I hadn’t realized this was important to them. I began working on being more intentional in letting them know I appreciated them. I confess that I had to put those visits on my calendar so I wouldn’t forget.
I bet they appreciated your visits and remember them fondly today!
I agree! Let those know who are close to you that you love them! I love you, dear Momma! 😘❤️😘❤️
Love you 🥰 to the moon and back!! 😘
Thank you for this wonderful share Jan… We never know when our health may take a sudden turn… I know my hubby nearly died, a few years back. And in a blink of an eye, things could have been so different had it not been for our quick thinking Dr on call who got him rushed through to Emergency treatment with blue lights. I tell him and my family I love them all the time… 🙂
Love you and your big heart dear Jan… Much love my friend xx <3
So glad the quick responders were “Johnny on the Ball” (as my mom used to say!)
So we’re we xxx and that’s a great saying 💕