Essay on Riordan Manufacturing Week 6 Problem Solution

Running head: PROBLEM SOLUTION: RIORDAN MANUFACTURING Problem Solution: Riordan Manufacturing Elayne Limon, Bill Loski, Fatima Al-Mohannadi, Allison Pawloski, Daniel L. Knight II University of Phoenix MMPBL\530 April 23, 2012 Kathryn Adair Problem Solution: Riordan Manufacturing In today’s work place employee satisfaction is just as important as it has ever been in history. With employer cutbacks, job eliminations, pay reductions, and business closings employee satisfaction must be at the forefront of employer’s plans to be successful. In the case of Riordan Manufacturing the company has a problem it cannot ignore, employee motivation. Riordan Manufacturing is a global plastics producer that employees 550 people and earns an†¦show more content†¦Therefore, Riordan shall communicate carefully forthcoming changes in details to stakeholder. Main stakeholders for Riordan are the Chief Executive, investors, employees, and customers. The interests, rights, and values for each group vary. Michael Riordan is the president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Riordan Manufacturing. He is the founder and the primary shareholder with 80% of the company’s stock. Michael is concerned about the company performance that drives the share value of his investment. He believes company’s management treating employees well but employees are no longer as loyal as they used to be. As CEO, Michael has the rights and ability to drive decision-making to maximize the company’s potential. This concern toward the company’s value may be seen as an ethical dilemma. The second stakeholders are investors and Riordan’s shareholders. Investors assume that leadership team will have actions for the best interest of all involved parties and maintain a successful running company. The main interest for stakeholders is a fair return on their investment. Therefore, Riordans leadership team must put down plans to implement growth strategies and see a Return On Investment (ROI). The impact of slow and poor performance may direct investors to withdrawShow MoreRelatedProduction Plan for Riordan Manufacturing1451 Words   |  6 PagesProduction Plan for Riordan Manufacturingr University of Phoenix OPS/GM 571: International Operations Management September 14, 2010 Production Plan for Riordan Manufacturing Riorden Manufacturing Incorporated is a global plastic manufacturing company that employs 550 people with annual earnings of $46 million. Riorden has several plants in different parts of the country and overseas with a corporate headquarters in San Jose California. TheRead MoreRiordan Manufacturing Hrms Integration Project1743 Words   |  7 PagesRiordan Manufacturing HRMS Integration Project Narrative Internationally renowned as the industry leader in the field of plastic injection molding, with innovative designs, attention to detail, extreme precision, and comprehensive quality control, Riordan Manufacturing s current human resource management system (HRMS) and methodologies are surprisingly antiquated and disparate with low-tech strands. Hugh McCauley, Riordan s Chief Operating Officer, has approved Service Request RM004 to analyzeRead MoreProblem Solution: Riordan Manufacturing Essays1853 Words   |  8 PagesProblem Solution: Riordan Manufacturing Riordan Manufacturing is a global plastics producer employing about 550 employees. The manufacturer has experienced a decrease in sales and a increase in employee turnover in the last few months. The paper will examine solutions to retain the customers and gain new ones as well as brainstorm viable solutions to combat employee retention. Communication will be key to the outcome of both problems. Situation Analysis Issue and Opportunity Identification Read MoreAn Mrp Solution for Riordan Manufacturing5037 Words   |  21 PagesAn MRP Solution for Riordan Manufacturing Table of Contents Executive Summary †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 3 Scope †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 Project Feasibility †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 6 Current Operating State †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 6 Requirements †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 10 Future Operating State †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 12 System Components †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 14 System Architecture †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Read MoreReview of Riordan Manufacturing Business Systems3156 Words   |  13 PagesTeam B Review of Riordan Manufacturing Business Systems Greg Guntz, Jerad Kays, Armando Figueroa, Lanone Mayfield, Rich Roberts, Bill White University of Phoenix BSA/310 Business Systems Mission/Description Riordan Manufacturing is an industry leader in the field of plastic injection molding that has earned them international acclaim. 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Bullying and Its Effects on Individual’s Education Free Essays

The purpose of the research in this work is to answer the question, â€Å"Does bullying effect an individual’s education? First bullying will be defined in the perimeter of the educational environment. The author of this work takes the stance that bullying does most positively affect an individual in terms of their quality of education and in fact does continue to affect the individual who receives and even the one who perpetrates the bullying behavior. Inclusive in the research will be the stated ‘signs’ of bullying behavior taking place, preventative measures that are stated to be effective, types of bullying behavior, and common myths surrounding those who are bullies. We will write a custom essay sample on Bullying and Its Effects on Individual’s Education or any similar topic only for you Order Now Some important facts about violence in schools are stated to be that first, that 1/3 of all injury death that occurs in the United States are due to intentional school violence. Interestingly, as violence has risen quite sharply in society it has also rise in schools and in areas surrounding and related to school. During the school years from September 1992 through May 2000 the National School Safety Center in their Report on School Associated Violence† (Education World, nd) Unhealthy relationships in the family and school personnel’s’ exposure to ‘violent television, films as well as games containing some of the elements that seem to contribute to violence in-school behavior. Bullying can take place both directly and indirectly. Bullying is defined as the repeated exposure to negative actions on the part of a student or even on the part of a group of students toward another individual. Stated as being inclusive in this behavior are the factors of aggressive behavior, intentional harm doing, it is done on a repetitious basis and occurs in a relationship on an interpersonal level â€Å"characterized by an imbalance of power.† (Colorado.edu Website, nd) The definition proposed by Tattum and Tattum (1992) states that â€Å"Bullying is the willful, conscious desire to hurt another and put him/her under stress? Therefore, the individual that desires to hurt another individual is a bully. But, those who are not in actuality bullies are those that think better of committing such actions. Bullying may be physical or it may occur on a psychological level. It is suggested by Olweus that an â€Å"imbalance of power† exists when bullying occurs and in fact contributes to the occurrence. As stated bullying behavior may be ‘direct’ bullying or ‘indirect’ bullying. Direct bullying is an open attack on the individual. Inclusive are physical attacks such as hitting, kicking, pushing, and choking. Attacking someone verbally or through harassment such as calling of names, threatening behavior, taunting behavior, teasing in a cruel and malicious manner, spreading rumors and slandering are all inclusive. Indirect bullying is often difficult to detect much more so than direct bullying. Indirect bullying is characterized by social isolation and social exclusion on an intentional basis, making faces and obscene gestures as well as manipulation of friendships and relationships. III. Common Myths Surrounding Bullying Myth 1: Insecurity and low self-esteem is suffered by bullies and they in turn pick on others towards the end of making themselves feel more secure. Fact: Self-esteem among bullies are average to above-average however they do have temperaments that are aggressive as well as a ‘lack of empathy and poor parenting.’ (Starr, 2000) Myth 2: Bullies are looking for attention however; ignoring the bully will stop the behavior. Fact: control is what the bully seeks and they tend to cease their bullying when ignored however if adults do not address the issue of bullying the bully generally is propelled toward another level of bullying. Myth 3: Boys will act like boys. However bullies general remain bullies and eventually get involved in a life of crime. Fact: Of all those finishing middle school that are bullies sixty percent will have committed at least one crime by the age of 24. Fact: Outgrowing bullying does not actually occur but it is redirected by the individual doing the bullying. 60 percent of bullies will have committed a crime by the age of 24. Myth 5: Standing up for themselves is something that needs to be learned by victims of bullies. Fact: Bullies generally pick those who are younger or weaker to bully and those who don’t have the skills on a social level for the development of friendships that are important and are unable to effectively deal with social situations on their own. Fact: Victims are generally chosen to be bullied due to their being â€Å"sensitive, anxious, and not likely or unable to retaliate, not due to differences on a physical level. (Starr, 2000) Myth 6: The environment in large classrooms and large schools are conducive to bullying. Fact: There has been no established link between the size of the educational facility and instances of bullying. In fact there is some research that contains findings that there is less and not more bullying in larger schools. Myth 7: The largest part of bullying occurs somewhere other than school grounds. Fact: Most bullying occurs on school grounds. Myth 8: Only a small number of students are affected by bullying. Fact: In the U.S. 25% of students are victims of bullying and 20% are bullies. It has been estimated by the National Association of School Psychologists that 160,000 children don’t attend school each and every day to avoid being bullied. Myth 9: If bullying is a problem in the classroom the teacher is aware of it. Fact: Reports by the victims of bullying instances are done only reluctantly out of fear of being retaliated against, due to embarrassment and because most bullies tend to justify their behavior. Myth 10: Sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you is an adage that should be followed by victims of bullying. Fact: Problems that affect students for life are low self-esteem and depression as well as suicide and mental health issues. IV. Preventative Measures in Counteracting Bullying in School Four basic principles for prevention of bullying and victim problems are stated as follows: â€Å"Awareness and warm, positive involvement of adults inclusive of teachers, principals, school counselors, and parents.† (Safe Schools Fact Sheet, Colorado.edu) Set and stick to firm limits as to what behavior is unacceptable firmly stating that bullying is not allowed or acceptable in the school. Consistent application of â€Å"non-hostile, nonphysical negative consequences for rule violation and unacceptable behavior; and â€Å"Encourage adults to act as authorities and position role models in students’ academic learning and social relationships in school.† (Safe Schools Fact Sheet, Colorado.edu) The Results and Outcomes of Bullying Behavior and Victims It is clearly without question that the victims of bullies have lifelong problems and issues that result from being bullied. Stated long-term effects on victims are that depression exists as well as low self-esteem. Clinical implications are stated to be a â€Å"risk factor for poor psychological health† (Rigby, 2003). The risk is stated to be greater if the â€Å"bullying is severe and prolonged and if the victim lacks adequate social support.† (Rigby, 2003) Further stated by Rigby (2003) is that â€Å"Various strategies or treatments may be considered to reduce the changes of a child’ further involvement in bullying that may worsen the condition. These include assisting victimized children to develop self-protective assertiveness skills and working therapeutically with bullying children to establish a greater awareness of the consequence of their antisocial behavior.† Other findings are that victims of bullying behavior have higher rates of absenteeism than those who do not experience bullying at school. Long-term adjustment is also affected by being bullied at school as well as the victim of bullies developing an aversion to the environment of school. (Rigby, 2003) In Factsheet Number 18 entitled, â€Å"The Emotional Cost of Bullying† it is stated that bullying can affect the physical and mental health of a child in a serious way. Children who are bullied â€Å"lack confidence, feel bad about themselves, have few friends and spend playtime alone. They may find it hard to face going to school and difficult to concentrate on their work. They may complain of various physical symptoms as a result of their upset. They may worry and try to avoid going to school. Others become very anxious, find it hard to sleep and may feel depressed, or even suicidal. These problems can carry on long after the bullying has stopped.† (Factsheet #18, Mental Health Growing Up)A large-scale study conducted in England and Wales found that children who suffer from being bullied are more likely to wet the bed and to not sleep well along with feeling irritable, nervous, and panicky after being bullied. Recurring memories of the incidences were stated by 32% of victims in the study and 29% of the victims found concentrating hard for them to do Interestingly the bullies also have long-term effects as well. Stated is that students who bully are also likely to engage in antisocial and delinquent behaviors such as vandalism, shoplifting, drug use, and truancy. This is particularly true of boys that bully. Bullies are also more likely (4 times more likely) to be convicted of crimes by the age of 24. Finally physical bullying is considered to be a risk factor on a moderate level for serious violence acts between the ages of 15 to age 25. 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Grandpa Essay Example For Students

Grandpa Essay GrandpaIn a stark room with the lights turned out, I sit alone thinking. In all of my years I have always had stability. There have been no drastic changes in my life. There was the endless time when my mother had breast cancer, but somehow I knew she would pull through, so it did not really phase me. Now I am encountering a situation that is sure to change my life forever. The one person who never questioned my intentions, always knew my thoughts, and always knew the right words to offer is going to leave me because of a terminal illness. As I wonder how I will ever survive without my grandpa in my life, I place my head in my hands and cry as memories and stories begin to flood my mind. The first memory I come across is swinging with Grandpa on a hill overlooking a beautiful lake at sunset. Grandpa has his coffee in his right hand while I am snuggled up close to his left side. I recall using times such as this to have heart-to-heart talks with the sole person who understood my every thought. He talked to me as if everything I had to say was of great importance, regardless of the topic. As I reflect more on this memory I realize my grandpa is a lot like the coffee he always had in his hand. The coffee provided him with warmth and comfort. In the same way, Grandpa was my source of warmth and comfort. He was always there for me in little ways. The days when Dad forgot me at volleyball practice he was there to take me home. He was there to take me shopping when I desperately needed a new outfit. He did not like to shop, but he went for me. Small things such as these gave me comfort. I knew Grandpa would always be there to help me if I was in a jam. This stability I felt was one of the most comforting thing in my life. My thoughts travel deeper into the subject I am contemplating and I realize there is yet another similarity between my grandfather and the coffee he loved so much. Many coffee drinkers are addicted to coffee like I am addicted to my grandpa. They feel insecure and incomplete without their daily dose of coffee.Like the habitual coffee drinker I am going to have a horrible time withdrawing myself from that ever-constant source of love and stability in my life. I know that it will not be easy, but it will have to be done in time. My mind begins to wander as I try to recall other memories of my grandfather. The image of Grandpa and Grandmas house on a snowy evening materializes in my mind. My sister and father are there with me, and we are eating with my grandparents. The smells of Grandmas cooking are so real that I feel as if I am really there. We sit around the table laughing and telling of our days. Grandpa interjects his off-the-wall jokes into the conversation, which keeps us from dwelling on our lives. My sister, Cheryl, once commented to me that Grandpa has this ability to make me laugh at the stupidest things. After dinner my sister and I venture into the living room and beg Grandpa to tell us a story. His stories were always the best. Sometimes they were fun and exciting, and other times they taught us about the history of our town or family. My crying subsides as I discern Grandpas motives in telling his stories. He wanted us to carry on his legacy to future generations so everyone might know what life is like through the eyes of a loving optimist. The scene of the living roo m fades and I am met with yet another memory of my grandpa. .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 , .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .postImageUrl , .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 , .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:hover , .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:visited , .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:active { border:0!important; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:active , .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9 .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u809911aac7f85881a1f95a1b2af310f9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The passage by Igor Stravinsky EssayIt is the last volleyball game of my sophomore year. Grandpa has come wearing a tie because he is going to represent my parents who are unable to attend. The announcers voice booms sophomore, Carol Russell. Escorted by Grandpa Earl Russell. As we walk out in front of the crowd I glance at him and see him beaming because he is escorting his little girl, of whom he is so proud. I am almost begin to laugh aloud when I make the connection that no matter what I did my grandpa would always love me. I would always be number-one in his eyes. Upon realizing the depth of Grandpas love for me I have a new sense of self-confidence. Yet another memor y fades into the depths of my mind. The memories come and go, and I learn a lesson with the passing of each one. Perhaps the most valuable message conveyed by my Grandpa came in a letter to my cousin. In it he wroteSometimes life can be painful, others rewarding. Too bad we cant bypass the painful times. It seems to me when we have problems we need to remember the prayer that goes something like this: Oh Lord, give me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the wisdom to change what can be changed, and the foresight to know the difference. It also helps to know you have people who love you to help you through the tough times. Always remember that I love you. The life-long lessons such as this that my grandpa not only taught me but lived himself are treasures I can carry throughout my life. I am still sitting in the same stark room with the lights out, but somehow it seems brighter. I think now about how lucky I have been to have a Grandpa who has taught me so much. I know what it is like to be loved unconditionally because of the love of this magnificent man. Knowing that there are people in this world who will never have the privilege of having a Grandpa Earl, I bow my head and pray that everyone would be as loved as I have been.