By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

If I had an event to which I invited everyone who was important in my life, and had a table full of name badges for them, there would be too many "no shows" to count.  Either they live far away, or they are no longer with us, or they would elect not to come.

First and foremost would be my wonderful parents—who are my only heroes in life—and Annette H. Greer, who only gave me unconditional love.[2]  Some relatives would be invited; others would not.  The old adage that "you can choose your friends but you cannot choose your family" is true.[3]

In God's perfect world, all would be honored, equally; and our love would be overflowing and unconditional, like God's Love.[4]  In the case of some, I don't know where they live.  In the case of others, they live in distant States or foreign countries.  Still others are dealing with health issues.

Lots of us stay in touch via electronic birthday or holiday cards, or email, or text messages, or phone calls.  Some can't travel anymore, or it is too costly or otherwise burdensome to expect, and I understand.  Others have lost a spouse, companion or loved one, and prefer to stay where they are.

None of us know how long we will live.  Each life is precious, from the moment of conception—when the miracle of Life begins.  We are imperfect beings, living in God's perfect world.[5]  Each of us could write at least one book about our lives, and about cherished loved ones, many who are no longer with us—like former spouses.[6]

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© 2025, Timothy D. Naegele

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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 tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

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

[3]  See, e.g., https://dictionary.langeek.co/en/word/216276?entry=you%20can%20choose%20your%20friends%20but%20you%20cannot%20choose%20your%20family ("Definition & Meaning of 'You can choose your friends but you cannot choose your family'") and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendship ("Friendship")

[4]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2025/03/23/where-is-god/ ("Where Is God?")

[5]  See supra n.4.

[6]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/divorces/ ("Divorces")