As you grow older things change for each of us and you really start to appreciate life all the more with each passing year.
I'm blessed to have been born a "Forbes" and for the people that I surround myself with, including both family and friends.
A few thoughts on this past year - and forgive me for not mentioning 'everybody' because I truly do appreciate what each and every 'friend' brings to my life - but there are several things that I'd like to mention in this short reflection here with todays blog.
First off I love to 'learn' as much as I can and especially from the very special people in my life.
This past year I can't tell you how incredibly impressed and proud I am of my 'family' - and first and foremost my two daughters.
Rayanne Forbes fight with Graves Disease has been chronicled in her amazing blog at rayannesthoughts.blogspot.ca - and it's her approach to making a giant positive out of a tremendous negative that never ceases to amaze me.
This young lady has been through more physical hardship than 'any' one person I know - with horrible surgery procedures; constant pain; more pills than you can shake a stick at; and going through more Doctor visits than you can imagine - yet through it all her 'entire' focus is on 'helping others.'
It's sincere folks. Mere days after her 'botched' eye surgery she is up and at it again, not feeling sorry for herself, and chronicling what she has gone through so that others who read her blog from around the world can benefit from what she has learned.
There have been close to 14,000 'reads' of this blog from literally every corner of the world. Rayanne shares the emails she gets from these people and each of them carry a painful reminder of how cruel and relentless this Graves Disease can be to them.
There is no cure. There is little knowledge. There is no 'out' for it. There is no way to find out those important questions about 'longevity' of life - whether Graves can be passed on to their children - or what effect the 'next hit' will have on them.
Yet through it all Rayanne continues to go on television programs; write in her Edmonton Examiner articles; attend conferences; and passing along what she has learned to help others.
I don't know if I could be as strong - but I'm DAMN proud of her for not going the pity parade route and feeling sorry for herself so that she can remain positive and 'beat' Graves Disease as best possible.
Love you Punk. You make it so much easier for all of us - and have strength beyond belief. You have grown incredibly this year and that recognition from the FIERCE AWARDS is only the start for you as you continue to make an impact in life.
Keep going!
Lauren Forbes is the 'rock' of the family. A once shy quiet kinda girl Lauren is the one who is the centre of love in our family and she is 'always' there for all of us without question when we need her.
She constantly makes me laugh. She is a 'really good and thoughtful' person. She is liked by everybody who meets her and her support and love for Rayanne has been a huge help for both Kim and I at all times.
I once told Rayanne Graves is a 'family' disease and we are all there to fight with her - but it's Laurens strength and unquestioned support that has really helped 'all of us' get through whatever set back Rayanne goes through that makes a difference for everybody.
To my wife Kim Forbes, I know I'm not the easiest guy to live with - and that my nomadic lifestyle certainly provides its challenges to you - and to us - but I know that you know 'me' well and that the freedom you provide for me to galavant around the world only makes our time together all the more special.
Thank you!
Love you!
To my long list of friends - 'you guys rock.'
I love spending time with each of you. You make me laugh. You teach me things. You support my often 'crazy' lifestyle - and you too are there whenever I need you - so "thank you."
Next, my Radiowise Inc. project pals - people like Julianna Veldtman; John Cameron; Ken Regan; Tommy Banks; Bud Steen; Mike Steger; George Smith, Steve Baker; Tamara Plant; Gord Whitehead, Debbie Walker; Daryl Hooke; Alyson Hodson; Sandra Woitas, and any of the great folks that I work with in 'public service projects' - please know that you guys bring me great 'value' in life.
Being able to make life better for others is in the Forbes family dna - and each of these projects is 'so important' to me as a person,that I simply can't express how proud I am to not only know you as 'friends' but as 'real people' who share a similar belief.
Thank you.
To my media pals - 42 years of working with some of the finest people in the business brings me great pleasure.
Through our contact in Social Media; to getting together to talk about media; to working with fabulous people in radio, television, and print - also means a great deal to me. Since leaving the 'full time' radio world I've expanded my horizons greatly into exciting new areas and I couldn't have done any of it without on going support from you people.
Lloyd Lewis - Tim Spelliscy - Sandra Morocco - John Caputo - Melissa Kubek - Patrick Cardinal - Tamara Konrad - Kurt Leavins - Syd Smith - Chris Sheetz - Tim Schootz - Terry Evans - Kelly Walters - Steve Hogle - Stew McDonald - Craig Roskin - Dean/Sue Heuman - Mack Male - KJ - Len Theuson - each time I called on you guys with an 'idea' you opened the doors for me, which I value greatly.
To the 'old friends' who've joined me on Facebook and/or Twitter there is nothing greater than touching base with you one and all and especially remembering some of the great old days in media - again for which I greatly value.
It's so nice that "Decades turn into days - days into minutes - and miles into mere 'steps away' regardless of where we met, when we worked together, and where we currently reside."
Nothing hurts more than the passing of a great friend and I often shed a tear at the news of the loss of an old media associate whom I spent time with - and again I value the times we spent together.
RIP one and all.
So what will 2013 bring to Martin Jay Forbes?
More of the same.
More work in media. More 'learning' about social media. More 'mentoring' young people. More 'sharing' of knowledge.
More 'unfiltered but much needed' comments when I think things are wrong.
More community work. More media work. More frequent flyer miles north/south to Edmonton and Phoenix.
More travel. More motorcycle riding with my Tres Amigos buddies Gary Peruzzini and Brian Norrie - and others. More 'new' friends.
More 'reading.' More time with my family. More focus on sucking up every inch of life and opportunities presented to me.
PS: Karl Stark; Bryn Griffiths; Tom Luzzi; Barry Archer; bro's Gord and Ger - you're among the 'natural' list - always pals!
Happy 2013 - life can only get better from here on in....love and best wishes to you all!
