Tag: Life

They Are Wrong!

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

June 1, 2024

***

There is a common adage that one of the best things about bring a grandparent is that you get to say “goodbye” when you’re tired and give the kids back to their parents. There is this sense that walking away is great.

That adage is wrong.

They are wrong!

Today we said goodbye to our new grandbabies to head home after spending a few wonderful days with them.

Saying goodbye isn’t the best thing about being a grandparent. It’s the worst.

I want to stay with those little angels forever. I’m counting down the minutes until we see them again…

Saying “Hello” is what I’m looking forward to!

My Newest Name (Just Might Be The Best)

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

May 24, 2024

***

Throughout our lives we are given many different names.

When I first came into this world, I was given a name – Paul Russell Semendinger.  Along with that, I was also a brother, a son, a nephew, a cousin, and a grandson.  The names came quickly at the start.

As we grow up, we’re then given other names including nicknames, and such…

Paul became, at times, Paulie.  Among the kids, I became Sem.  That one stuck with me, in various forms, even to the present day. 

When I became a teacher, I was very quickly, Mr. Sem.  Years later, as a principal, with a new degree, I earned the title Dr. Sem.  Even later, as college instructor, I became Professor Sem.

All great titles.

Of course, in the years in between, I started to become known by other great names.  I became a husband.  That’s a great name. 

And not many years after, I became Daddy. 

I have always loved being Daddy.  I cherished (and still cherish) the years that my boys were young and I heard that name countless times a day.  It was the best.  The more mature, Dad, is also a great name and one I also cherish.

But the other day, I was given a new name.  I can’t even think of this name without smiling and being overcome with absolute joy and happiness.  And wonder.

The other day, I became Grandpa.

And that just might be the greatest name of them all.  

Life…Is Good!

Published on by drpaulsem2 Comments

It’s been a busy few weeks.

It’s been a busy few months.

It’s always busy.

And that’s a good thing.

Life is good!

And I’m saving the best news until the end of this article…

***

Continue reading “Life…Is Good!” →

Words Matter. Kindness Matters. Love Matters

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

Words matter.

Kindness matters.

Love matters.

This evening I received a message, just a few short sentences, that made my day.

Continue reading “Words Matter. Kindness Matters. Love Matters” →

4.3 Miles… For Mark (I Miss You, My Friend)

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

My dear brother-in-law Mark passed away in February. It was sudden, unexpected, gut wrenching, and very very very sad. It still is.

My life, and my family’s life, will never be the same.

Mark was a special person, a true kind human being who did not have a mean or angry bone in his body. He simply loved everyone and he saw everyone as his friend. Mark didn’t understand unkindness. It made no sense to him. Literally. It simply made no sense. He couldn’t understand it. More, he couldn’t even comprehend it.

Mark considered me his best friend. And I was. And he was mine, too.

Continue reading “4.3 Miles… For Mark (I Miss You, My Friend)” →

Making My Pitch…

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

It’s a cold and rainy early April day. It’s the kind of day that makes one not mind spending the day inside.

Continue reading “Making My Pitch…” →

365.2: A Runner’s Journey – RELEASED TODAY!!!

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

It’s easy to make a New Year’s resolution. It’s much more difficult to fulfill it.

Dr. Paul Semendinger, a 53-year-old father of three, an average runner (who runs about one marathon a year), an author, and a school principal, decided to run every single day for an entire year. That was his New Year’s Resolution. This is the story of his quest to do what, for him, seemed to be the impossible. There were no off-days, no chances to take it easy. He made a promise to himself to run every day in 2022. He worked to achieve that goal as one of the biggest parts of his life changed radically. This is his tale of running. It’s also the story of a year in his life.

Join Dr. Sem as he pushes ever forward. This is a story of motivation, of drive, of success, and even failure. The insights, the humor, the reflection, and the emotion that is part of this true tale is one that should motivate and inspire others to set their own goals for themselves and find ways to achieve them letting nothing get in the way of reaching a goal, no matter how unreasonable it might seem to others.

We all have goals, this book will help you reach yours!

Get the book HERE!

Loss & Sadness and God & Jesus and Hope & Faith.

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

Yesterday they buried my brother-in law- and my best friend, Mark. After a beautiful service, we drove to the cemetery, prayed during a brief graveside service, placed flowers on the casket, and said our goodbyes. We then returned to our cars and went to a repast.

And then life goes on.

Or it’s supposed to.

And it will, of course, but it’ll never be the same. It can’t be. How can anything be the same when a huge part of one’s life is missing?

I’ll turn to see Mark, and he won’t be there. I’ll think of something funny to share, but he won’t be there to share it with. I’ll think of his unqiue sayings and instead of laughing, I’ll feel am emptiness inside because I’ll never hear those words, from Mark at least, ever again.

We’re supposed to move forward – and we do. But it’s never the same.

Continue reading “Loss & Sadness and God & Jesus and Hope & Faith.” →

Now Available: 365.2: Going the Distance, A Runner’s Journey

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

My newest book, 365.2: Going the Distance, A Runner’s Journey is now available for pre-order:

“It’s easy to make a New Year’s resolution. It’s much more difficult to fulfill it. Dr. Paul Semendinger, a 53-year-old father of three, an average runner (who runs about one marathon a year), an author, and a school principal, decided to run every single day for an entire year. That was his New Year’s Resolution. This is the story of his quest to do what, for him, seemed to be the impossible. There were no off-days, no chances to take it easy. He made a promise to himself to run every day in 2022. He worked to achieve that goal as one of the biggest parts of his life changed radically. This is his tale of running. It’s also the story of a year in his life.

Join Dr. Sem as he pushes ever forward. This is a story of motivation, of drive, of success, and even failure. The insights, the humor, the reflection, and the emotion that is part of this true tale is one that should motivate and inspire others to set their own goals for themselves and find ways to achieve them letting nothing get in the way of reaching a goal, no matter how unreasonable it might seem to others.

We all have goals, this book will help you reach yours!”

That’s A Wrap!

Published on by drpaulsemLeave a comment

With an easy three-miler today, I reached 100 miles run in December. That concluded my second consecutive year of running 100 or more miles every single month. I’m happy with that.

Continue reading “That’s A Wrap!” →