Day 2,159

Tonight’s appreciation needs few words. Time for brothers to be together is sacred in a way found nowhere else in life. This evening was a double helping of brother time – experienced as a brother and a father. Both were amazing to be a part of and to observe. My gratitude for the magical moments like this is truly indescribable.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,158

There was something I noticed today which really caught my attention. While writing out some thank you cards I realized just how focused I was. In some ways I was almost in a flow state as I wrote the personalized message in each.

The process was the same for each. Pause and consider the person and why I am grateful for them. Think on the impact they’ve had on me. Consider how much of a difference they made in my life. Change gears to put words to my feelings of gratitude. Write a clear and succinct message that helps them see just how much I value their positive impact. Review the message, think of the person, smile, and sign the card. Nothing crazy, a process of maybe 5-10 minutes per person at most.

During that time the only emotions I had were joy and appreciation. There was no stress, no random thoughts in other directions, no pauses to look out the window or to check my email. 100% focus on the person and their impact – 100% joy and appreciation.

The power of appreciation finds yet another way to impress me. By focusing on appreciation I was also driven into a state of presence. How beautiful is that?

Thanks!!!

Day 2,157

With Dominic in his Senior year and Gavin in his Freshman year there’s a crazy dream I had. It was something I have zero control over and just had to cross my fingers for. They both play soccer and I was hoping they would have a few minutes in at least one game to be out on the field together. I figured if it would happen it would be late in the season for the last couple minutes of a game. LOL – I never expected this!

Thanks to all the hard work the boys put in together during the off-season, Gavin played out of his mind in the the JV game. Because of his hard work, Coach had him sit the bench for the Varsity game. Gavin got his number called with about 12 minutes to go in the first half and got to be on the field with Dominic.

Talk about a ridiculously proud dad moment! So happy for Gavin for busting his butt to earn the opportunity. So happy for Dominic for working with and coaching Gavin to help make the opportunity happen. Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,156

I may not know the question, but I’m pretty sure the answer is yoga.

Had a busy day and need to chill? Yoga.

Long weekend full of lots of car time? Yoga.

Want to focus on being present to better enjoy life? Yoga.

Need a good workout to relax before bed? Yoga.

I do not know the question, but yoga is the answer.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,155

Happy birthday to Gavin!!!

His year of being 13 has been ridiculous to say the least. I’m going through all the pics from the past year my jaw kept dropping. How we created so many incredible memories in one year blows my mind!

Tonight I’m grateful for another year of creating memories while spending time with my best-est buddy – Gavin!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,154

Yesterday the boys got home from their trip with their cousins and grandparents, a trip out to a ranch in Wyoming. Today Gavin disappeared a couple of times while hanging out at my brother’s house. I couldn’t help but laugh at the definitive proof of another successful Camp Grandpa!

So thankful for the boys having such an awesome opportunity to make more memories and have so much fun with their grandparents and cousins!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,153

Our run this morning started out pretty normal for us. Out the door right about 5am, headlamps on, starting slow and then speeding up. Then something happened that hasn’t happened for quite some time on one of our runs. It started to rain.

The temperature was just warm enough that it was pretty soothing and comfortable. In many ways it reminded me of the rain in Hilo, Hawaii. Running with the smell of fresh rain was amazing!

Quite often I’ll stick to the treadmill or reschedule a run due to rain, this morning we went with it and it was so peaceful and chill. I might have to do it more often!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,152

We wrapped up our offsite dinner celebration of our successful first half of the year a couple of hours ago and my stomach muscles are still sore from laughing so hard! OMG – we had so much fun laughing, joking, creating new games, and hanging out. The only work discussed was related to humorous things, nothing even remotely serious.

Spending time like this with my work family fills my heart on so many levels. I’m so blessed to have a team that both works so hard and plays so well together. Getting outside our office to bond and laugh was so much fun.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,151

One of my best friends got me a wonderful gift a while back. It’s a bottle opener with a beautiful quote.

They talked in the shorthand of friends and shared memories.

Dee Henderson, Before I Wake

That quote so eloquently touches on the sensation of getting together with the best of friends regardless of the time since their last meeting. While sometimes conversations need to be coaxed and cajoled out of hiding there are certain people in which the natural language of the friendship immediately springs to mind and the difficulty lays in finding how to say goodbye.

Tonight was one of those times in which the conversation flowed as if it hadn’t been well over a year since we last spoke in person or over the phone. What a wonderful testament to great friendship!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,150

Days like today are the ones when I miss Dad a little more than usual. My day was shaped on more than one occasion by wisdom Dad shared long ago. To paraphrase:

“When you get too frustrated, just stop, take a break, and walk away. The problem will still be there waiting for you, but you’ll have a much more cool head when you take it on again. Attempt to muscle through it and you’re only going to get frustrated. Walk away before you make it worse.”

– Dad, aka Pete Kreiling

I miss him as he would have smiled and laughed as I shared my use of his wisdom. He’d flash me his “I told you so” smile, and then we’d laugh some more.

Not only did Dad’s shared wisdom help, it made me smile as I thought of his normal reaction in moments like this. I miss him tremendously, and yet my heart is beyond full for all the time we shared.

Thanks!!!