There are four exhausted Kreilings in the house tonight. Shortly after this post the boys and I are going to bed, which is where Becky and the dogs already are. The first week of school is always a long one, but there were a few extra things that made today even more tiring… and almost all of them were good.

Gavin was under the weather last night so he was a little more tired than normal. He had his first soccer games today and had a lot of fun. In between games he slept on the couch. After the second game he fell asleep on the couch. We played a lot of board games and he’s not even complaining about going to bed, a sign that he’s totally exhausted.

Dominic had his first day of soccer refereeing and was outside in the sun for most of the day. Between that and a full week of cross country practice he’s toast! Pretty sure he almost fell asleep at church tonight (which at least three of the four of us did… I couldn’t see Gavin clearly or it may have been all four).

Becky had her open house for the USGS and between prepping for and attending that, her prep for her PhD, and getting ready to be in the field for the next week she is also pretty tired. It was pretty awesome that she was able to head out for a little bit with Gavin’s game.

My day was full of shuttling boys to and from games and work, working on the garage, and playing a lot of games with the boys. Tons of fun, enjoyed it, but I’m ready to crash. Bring on a 10 mile run tomorrow and I’m sure I’ll be exhausted tomorrow too!

While we’re not the most exciting family ever this Saturday night, I’m still thankful to have a house full of exhausted Kreilings. We lived life hard in a very good way and I can’t think of a better way to… zzz… zzz…

Thanks!!!

Some often in life I spend time thinking about the moment, where I am, the present.  It’s a snapshot of where I am at the moment.  When I look back there’s mental gravity pulling my mind back to specific accomplishments.

Today I was able to spend a lot of time reflecting on one of the journeys of my life.  Not the present, not an accomplishment, but the challenges, the struggles, and the mistakes I made along the way.  I spent time thinking about the journey itself, the little wins, the painful failures, the obstacles and the challenges.  In the moments in which they occurred they hurt, but in retrospect I’m thankful foe each of them.  They’ve each made me who I am, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world, flaws and all.

I’m thankful for taking time to reflect on the journey today.  It got me thinking and reminded me that if I’m not struggling in some way in life, I’m probably not trying hard enough 🙂

Thanks!!!

 

While running this morning I paused and was thankful for running in the moonlight.  There’s something so peaceful, calming, and a little magical about running in the silver beams of light.  As I paused my thoughts for a moment I started mentally writing my blog for today about running in the moonlight.

On my ride to Eau Claire this morning I paused for a few minutes as I passed through Arcadia.  As I came went up the hill into town I realized that the fog and rising sun were going to be in just about the right place for me to get an epic picture of a view that I am always thankful for as I drive by.  I pulled into the scenic turnout and was already writing my blog about being happy for stopping.  It didn’t quite work out, the shot wasn’t quite what I was looking for, but I was thankful for pausing nonetheless…  and I mentally started writing today’s blog.

Passing through Eleva I looked off to my left and enjoyed the view of the pond as I drove past.  I took the picture above once when the timing was perfect and blogged about it last year (see the post here).  This picture always makes me think of my dad, this was one of his favorite pictures that I’d taken.  He loved the way the poles looked like crosses and the serenity of the lake.  As I passed by the view was not even close to the one above, and I realized how thankful I was to have caught it at the perfect time once before.  For at least the third time in a handful of hours I started re-writing my blog in my head for the day.

Several things happened through the work day that also queued up more blog posts.  They included sharing stories of children, getting in the zone on a client project, seeing the newborn daughter of a team member, spending time with great people, having direct and open conversations with clients, an email of appreciation for by blog from another friend, and figuring out new solutions.  So many times my head started churning thinking about how I would capture each of those things I was grateful for.

The ride home got long and I felt a little bummed.  Something about driving on a grey day just got me down a little.  Right on cue, my mom called and we had fun talking the rest of the ride home.  I was thankful for having time on the phone with her and was starting to write that blog too.

At home I got frustrated with a website I was trying to order some Scouting stuff off of and both Becky and Dominic heard my frustration.  At almost the same time they both reminded me that the little amount of extra expense was not worth the frustration that I was having – take a deep breath and relax.  I was thankful for Becky being there to walk me off the ledge and I was thankful for Dominic having that level of insight.  In my head the gears were turning for possibly two different blogs.

After the Cub Scout meeting my friend Toby shared some thoughts about my blog, losing his dad, and a few other things that had me beaming.  I was thankful for his enjoyment of this blog, his understanding and sharing of stories of talking with his dad, the way he shared some of his feelings, and the way he listened.  In that moment I had the chills and was reminded of why I blog.  There were two different blogs going through my head and I was mentally writing both.

Throw in a few other conversations with friends and co-workers and there were a plethora of subjects for today’s blog.

As I sat down on the couch to type tonight I was stuck for a minute.  It wasn’t the best of days, it wasn’t bad either, but it was a day that I didn’t quite feel up the whole time like normal.  Maybe it was the drive getting to me.  Maybe it was the claustrophobia I feel when I put together a schedule and fill up my calendar like I did yesterday.  Maybe I just had a “meh” kind of day.  Regardless, I sat for a minute and just thought about what I would be thankful for…

Then one of the memories I wrote about above came in…  followed by another… followed by another…  before long I knew my path for today.  As I typed a paragraph I paused and added a paragraph, remembering something I’d almost forgotten.  Before long, I realized this was one of the longer blogs that I’d written in a while…  And I ‘m smiling like a damn fool now.  So much to be thankful for today!!!  How did I ever think it was a blah day?  Had I not paused and thought about it, looking for what I was thankful for, I might have totally missed it and just went to bed.

And that’s what I’m thankful for today.  This is why I blog daily.  It’s so easy to get lost in the humdrum of daily life that I miss out on all the awesomeness around me.  I was watching for things to be thankful for, seeking them out, appreciating them in the moment, all because I knew I would do this at the end of the day.  Today was littered with reminders of why I blog, and I am so thankful for each of them.  My life is better and I am happier and more joyful because I paused to enjoy these moments and spent time thinking about them today.  I could’ve gone to bed thinking today was kind of crap, but now I’m smiling and glad that I was granted another day of wandering the earth.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this an amazing day!  I appreciate each of you and the thinks you did to brighten it up for today.  Thank you!

Thanks!!!

I am very open about almost everything, probably to a fault. Occasionally there are days when I’m thankful for something that I don’t want to share for one of a few reasons. Usually I think of something else that I’m thankful for and blog about that while I hold the other gratitude in my head.

Today’s a little different. It really is what I am most thankful for today, and I want it to be it. That said, it’s personal and something that I’m keeping to myself today. Probably the selfish thing, but if it’s only the second time I’ve done it in almost two years I’m not going to worry about it too much 😉

Thanks!!!

While I may be a huge fan of Paul Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story,” that’s not exactly what I am thankful for today.  It inspired me though, as it was a phrase an old friend used a handful of days ago as he told a story about my dad.  Over the past few days I’ve had the privilege of hearing several other stories of Dad, and each time I keep thinking back to that phrase, “The Rest of the Story.”

It’s kind of funny how those stories of Dad blend in with Paul Harvey’s.  As you read the Paul Harvey versions you get a chance to learn about how all of the little and easily missed details added up to the tale’s conclusion.  Once we see the conclusion we’re so easily able to go back and see how everything fit and why.  Without one or two key pieces the story would have been completely different.

Contrast that with my dad.  As I write about Dad I’m seeing more and more how few of those little details I knew of Dad.  Don’t get me wrong, I knew him very well, but there’s this bigger picture of him that I’m seeing.  Unlike the Paul Harvey version, I don’t get to know all of the details first, I just see the conclusion.  The more stories I hear of Dad the more the gaps fill in and I can see how Pete started here and ended there.  Each shared memory adds another level, a little more depth, more of the story of Pete.

It’s funny, since Dad died I’ve been realizing just how much more there was to him than just “Dad.”  Maybe it’s just me, but I always saw him through that lens.  Only after he passed and I heard more of these stories did I really start to see him as friend, sibling, church member, etc…  On a positive note, it’s helping me pause and take time to see my friends and family not just as being in that role, but in all of the roles that they have (the ones that they’ve shared, you know?).  Losing Dad is helping me take the time to pause, try to look at someone a little differently, from a different perspective, and try to understand “the rest of the story.”  So much for me to learn when I take the time to see others from a different perspective.

So today I’m thankful for “The Rest of the Story,” and all of the stories I’ve heard about Dad and other loved ones in the past week.  They’ve added a depth and perspective that only adds to my love of Dad, and all of my loved ones.  Special thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to share those stories with me, I treasure each of them!

Thanks!!!

There were many things that I’m thankful for today.  We had some boat time with good friends.  We got more done insulating than I expected.  Throw in a handful of other things and it was a pretty solid day.  There was one thing that really stuck out though, the joy I had while insulating the workshop with Dominic.

Gavin was cleaning his room and recovering from a sleepover and Becky took one for the team and went grocery shopping.  Dominic volunteered to help me out in the workshop and I was ecstatic that he did!  He saved a ton of time for me, being an extra set of hands.  With him grabbing materials and tools for me I was able to keep working.  There were a couple of projects he was able to do himself, no guidance from me needed, and he did an awesome job!  I’d have to imagine that it would’ve taken me at least one and a half times as long to get done what we did had I been on my own.

I’m also thankful that he helped as there were some new skills and concepts he was able to learn.  He was cutting, measuring, screwing, glueing, insulating, cleaning, and stapling.  Many of these he’s maybe seen or done a little of, but over the past couple of days he’s really gotten a lot of hands on practice.

What I’m most thankful for about his help though was an intangible that meant the world to me.  As we were working together it reminded me of the times when I helped my dad on project like this.  It was in moments like this with Dad that I learned the basics of carpentry (and retained more than I’d thought!) and started to get a passion for home improvement.  We would joke, laugh, learn, and work with each other.  He’d give me a hard time about things.  He’d encourage me when I’d done well.  He’d coach and support me when I made a mistake.  When he’d screw up I remember him laughing at himself while explaining why he’d screwed up.  We’d smile and enjoy the time together.  Sure, we’d get frustrated at each other sometimes, but the happiness is what really endures in my mind.

While Dominic and I were working together today I had so many memories come flooding back or working with my dad.  While Dominic and I created our own memories I’d smile to myself as my I’d hear my dad’s voice come out of my mouth.  When Dominic did something awesome I was so proud of him and then realized that was why my dad would sometimes smile hugely at me when I did something right.  Dominic laughed when I made a mistake and made fun of myself.  When he’d get frustrated with something I helped coach him through it, help him see how close he’d been and show him how to do next time.  We joked around, we smiled, and we had fun while working together to create something.  Yes, there were times when we both got frustrated with each other, but those memories are already fading fast.  What I’ll remember is how much we enjoyed each other’s company.

Today was another of those spots in which I find myself seeing the world as both a father and a son.  The memories I created with my son today reminded me of the memories my dad created with me and I’m so very grateful for them.  All this from Dominic wanting to help me insulate the workshop today…  How awesome is that?

Thanks for the help today dude, it was greatly appreciated!!!  I’m so glad that you enjoy doing things like this and that you like spending time with your old man doing it.  You made me so happy and proud today, something that you’ll probably understand one day when you’re working with your son in the workshop.  Grandpa Pete was there with us and smiling along with us today.  Love you Bud!!!

Thanks!!!

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times…  I can be a pretty slow learner sometimes (or often!).  Funny how sometimes I think that I’m actually getting the point, but then I have something that reminds me that while I may have started to close the gap between who I am and who I should be, it is a lifetime endeavor.

We had a substitute priest this week and he gave a pretty excellent sermon today.  It was focused on the story of Jesus telling the disciples that He was going to have to suffer and die.  Peter (my favorite disciple) steps up and says something along the lines of “nope” and wants to make sure his friend doesn’t meet that fate.  Jesus then reminds Peter that he doesn’t have God’s will in mind, rather his own, that of a friend wanting to take care of a friend.

I’ve probably heard that story over a dozen times, but it wasn’t until tonight that it actually hit me what it was all about.  I know, I can be pretty dense sometimes!  As I heard the story and the priest’s description of it all I could think of was the Thursday before Dad died, when I learned that I had to let go of the wheel (and wrote this post).  The story of Peter kept sinking in and my eyes misted up a bit.

I’m sure that I’ll need to hear this story and others like it many times over before it truly sinks in, but today I’m so thankful to have heard the same message in a slightly different way.

Thanks!!!

While there was chaos inside our house tonight for Dominic’s birthday…

I spent the majority of the night working on a project, insulating my workshop…

Becky and I decided to take on the insulation project over this long weekend and I wanted to get a jump start on it.  As per the norm, everything took a little bit longer than expected, but overall I felt pretty good about the progress.  There was something that just felt right working on a project that Dad and I started.  It was a good time to to something productive while hearing him give me a hard time in my head once in a while.

As I start to wind down for the night there’s a lot that I’m thankful for, it was a really good day.  At the end of it, knowing that I made progress and had a productive Friday night feels pretty awesome.  Special thanks to Becky for picking up Miller Lite for me, that was the icing on the cake!

Thanks!!!

My aunts and uncles have been working on getting headstones for Dad and Aunt Nadia to put near Grandma, Grandpa, and their other family.  Nick and I were happy to pitch in to help out and help make this happen.  Imagine my surprise this morning when I read the following text from my Aunt Renee:

How awesome is that???  I’m incredibly grateful for the generous gift that someone gave our family, they’re greatly appreciated!  That said, as opposed to being thankful for just that one person, let me broaden this out a bit.  The way they made this gift is also so fitting as this was one of Dad’s favorite ways to give to others – anonymously.

When you hear about something like that how can we all not be watching for ways to make someone else’s day?  Seriously, is there anything quite as inspiring as a gift being made out of the blue, seemingly without a reason, and without someone to credit for it?  There’s a magic to that helps bring us all together and inspires us to be better people.  Moments like this are when many people touched by the gift actively seek out ways to do the same for others, to help each other, to help strangers, to live better.

When someone does something like this there are so many people who are touched by it and look for ways to make a similar gift to others.  Then each of those people impact other people and it continues.  Think about it, if one person’s actions cause ten people to do something for others, and each of those people give there’s a cascading effect and now one person’s gift has had a positive impact on at least 100 people in no time.  Given a couple of more rounds of giving and thousands upon thousands of people are all touched by one person’s generosity.  How awesome is that?

At the end of the day, that’s what I am really the most thankful for today.  While I’m incredibly grateful for Anonymous’ generosity, I’m also thankful that one person’s very generous action has hopefully started an avalanche of positive experiences with my Dad’s memory at its heart.  Thinking that even though he’s gone he’s still making the world a better place fills my heart with pride and happiness.

Thanks!!!