Paul Luvera Journal

There are some specific events in my life which have played a significant role in how my life has been lived. In addition to having the extraordinary parents I had and the great variety of things which  I didn’t earn  but were gifts, some events were of particular importance. My high school basketball coach, William Taylor, was a huge influence for teaching me character and moral conduct. The priest at Newman Club at the University of Washington, Fr. William Dooley…

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Here are some quotes about living and life that I find inspirational. I hope you benefit from them as well. While they appear to be simplistic, they are profound enough to meditate upon: When we are surprised by the way people we thought we knew act “Sometimes it’s not the people who change, it’s the mask that falls off.” When we are hurt by the actions of others “Some people come into your life as blessings, others come out as…

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Ken Burns created a PBS documentary "Country Music" in 2019. The documentary includes the story behind the lyrics of the song, "Where've you been?" The song was released in 1989 and recorded by country music singer Kathy Mattea. It was co-written by her husband Jon Vezner. Among other awards, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1990. Mattea was awarded the Grammy for Best Country Performance for her recording. The song is a story about Edwin…

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According to a New York Times op-ed by Paul Krugman, we as a nation are suffering from an "epidemic of infallibility."  No one, president or not, wants to admit to wrongdoing, at least not publicly. When people do apologize they often say they are sorry, but offer excuses or rationalizations which is no apology at all. I hear politicians and prominent people who have made public mistakes for which they offer an apology, but not without combining it with an excuse,…

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You know how it is. You meet an older person you know and you greet them with "Well, how are you anyway?" only to be subjected to a long description involving bowel movements, illness or a detailed description of a recent surgery when all you were doing was being polite. Well, I'm giving you fair warning, don't ask me that question either because this week I'm having a hip replacement surgery and at eight four years of age it's likely…

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Old friends are gold.” That was the theme of the reunion luncheon for our law firm paralegals held at the Columbia Tower Club in Seattle on November 22nd. Lita arranged the entire affair. We were fortunate in having a number of people able to attend. These included Bonnie Mullen; Cathy Galfano; Darlene Walters; Deborah Scott; Diane Donohue; Fran Fee; Heather Thweatt; Jeanne Skeels; Jill Hatcher; Julie Olson Harris; Karen Forsman Eichler; Linda FitzGerald; Margaret Nidermayer; Marilyn Khalife; Mavis Estrada; Patti…

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Here are a few random things I've read recently that caught my interest. Perhaps you'll find them of interest as well.  The Babushka Lady There is an unsolved mystery regarding the 1963 assassination of US Pres. John F Kennedy. Captured on film recording the events is a woman, wearing an overcoat and scarf (resembling a Russian babushka), but never identified. For decades historians and scholars have speculated about who this person is that has never come forward to provide what…

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That's what the man said to me. At first I didn't hear him as I stood waiting to use the cash machine, but I turned and he repeated it. He was older than I was, but was in good shape.  "Yes, " I said. "How old are you?" he asked. I said "Eighty Two." "I'm ninety four" he said and walked into the bank. I'm at a point where I have gradually learned to accept the fact that I am…

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Benjamin Franklin said it well "Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late." as we approach Father's Day I can't help but reflect upon the wisdom of Franklin's statement when I think of my dad Paul Luvera, Sr.  From the perspective of my 82 years I see how blessed my sisters Phyllis, Anita and I were by who our parents were.  I regret my failure to fully and completely appreciate how unique my dad was until he…

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