Life Is What Happens While We Are Busy Making Other Plans

By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Perhaps my parents are a perfect example. They grew up in Minneapolis and met in grade school. My mother and her family came to California first, and my father came later. They were a "golden couple" who had everything going for them. Then, tragedy struck and my mother became sick, and ultimately had her right leg amputated.

She came to my sixth grade graduation in a wheelchair, but she survived, thanks to her belief in God and fine doctors who had been trained at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. My father worked seven days a week to pay staggering medical bills, before the advent of health insurance. They are my only heroes in life. Both gave me unconditional love.[2]

God's Hand was present in their lives, which has been true of mine too. I might have died several times, but I didn't.[3] I have had my financial ups and downs. One year I netted a million dollars after expenses. Other years I have made do with my Social Security retirement benefits. Thankfully, Medicare's basic coverage has taken care of most of my medical needs.

As one approaches the end of days here on Earth, there are others who have courageously gone before. My parents, friends, beloved pets.[4]. None of us know when our time will come. Babies die at birth, or are victims of Infanticide.[5]. And yes, miracles do happen. Every day, small miracles. Other times, big ones. And Life itself is a miracle.[6]

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[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6 and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/ He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at The Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams. He can be contacted directly at [email protected]

[2] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2024/05/12/legacy ("Legacy")

[3] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ ("What And Where Is God?") and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2025/03/14/god-saved-me-again/ ("God Saved Me Again")

[4] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2024/01/23/the-wonder-dog-is-dead-and-part-of-me-died-with-her/ ("The Wonder Dog Is Dead, And Part of Me Died With Her")

[5] See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/01/imagine-being-the-greatest-killers-in-history/ ("Imagine Being The Greatest Killers In History")

[6] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2025/01/04/miracles/ ("Miracles Happen")