Today was a great day, one filled with many positives that I am thankful for.  When I paused to think about what to write about tonight there were a handful of conversations that have really made my day special.

There were times in which I was able to learn from my teammates, colleagues and clients.  New work ideas, life insights, and a little bit of everything in between were tossed in my direction and it was great soaking them up.

Intermixed with these new lessons learned I was able to pay honor to those who’ve helped me grow…  I had the opportunity to help share some of the lessons others have taught me.

It was great to learn some new things to share with others later, and to share lessons with others that I’m pretty sure they will share with others.  Funny how the nurse trees keep popping into my mind so often lately. 🙂

Thanks!!!

When we run I always keep my phone in my hand, it’s nice knowing that the boys can call anytime.  While we usually talk when we run there are some runs in which I just need a little bit of tunes to keep me going.  Other times there’s a song stuck in my head or another that just feels right and I need to hear it. 

Becky’s preference is either quiet or talking so I usually respect that and keep the iTunes off.  Tomorrow morning I just didn’t feel right.  I was tired, dragging, hot, and struggling with the humidity.  I just wanted to quit.

As we paused for a DDB (dog deucer break) I thought of a friend of ours who listened to a specific song last night while running.  She and I have something in common, we’ve both recently lost our dad’s.  What was the song she listened to?  The Nights by Avicii.  I followed her lead, blasted it as loud as my little phone would play, told Becky why it was on, and we were off!

After that we moved into Wake Me Up and Broken Arrows by Avicii and then moved into another couple of songs that just felt right, Dreams and Right Now by Val Halen.  

As we got to the end I felt the need to sprint and give everything I had in the tank.  As I traded LuLu for Skywalker Becky smiled and let me take off.  Once again I played The Nights and I was off at almost full speed.

The song was wrapping up as I turned the corner, totally gasping for breath.  The music helped power me through what had been a rough run and it felt great.

There’ve been other days when I’ve been thankful for music while running or a specific song, but today I realized that I was most grateful for Becky being totally okay with me playing music, running without talking much, and taking off in a sprint at the end.  It was as if she could tell that it was what I needed, what my soul needed, and she smiled and let it happen even though it’s not her preference.  That was pretty awesome of her and I greatly appreciate it!


Becky, thanks for letting me blast my music and run like an idiot, I needed it in a bad way this morning.  Love you!

Thanks!!!

Over the past few vacations I’ve spent at least part of the way home putting together our pictures from the vacation.  Today I’m doing the same as Becky finishes driving the last leg.  Every time I go through our vacation pictures I laugh at just how much we did and how it seems like an eternity ago even though it was less than a couple of weeks ago.

I went through the pictures and picked one from each day that made me smile big and reminded me of what we did that day.

Saturday, 6/24/17 – Heading Out:  

Sunday, 6/25/17 – Exploring Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP:  

Monday, 6/26/17 – The Ancient Trees and Rainforests in Olympic NP:  

Tuesday, 6/27/17 – Second Beach in Olympic NP:  

Wednesday, 6/28/17 – Seeing the Awesome Raw Power of Nature at Mount St Helens:  

Thursday, 6/29/17 – Visiting Paradise in Mount Rainier NP:  

Friday, 6/30/17 – Traveling to the Other Side of Mount Rainier NP:  

Saturday, 7/1/17 – Touring North Cascades NP:  

Sunday, 7/2/17 – Crossing into Canada:  

Monday, 7/3/17 – Gondolas Galore and Flying Into the Clouds:  

Tuesday, 7/4/17 – Homeward Bound:  

Another awesome Kreiling family vacation is in the books, many new memories have been made, and I’m smiling as I type this and go through photos…  Life is awesome!!!

Thanks!!!

Today was the last day of exploring new National Parks for us, tomorrow we head up to Canada to get the boys out of the country for the first time in their lives.  The National Park we visited today was North Cascades, and it was pretty awesome.

 

There was a lot less hiking than what we’re used to, but the views were spectacular.  At times it felt like we were in the Canadian Rockies near Yoho.  

The waterfalls were incredible, the mountains gorgeous, and the lakes an unbelievable shade of green from the glacial run off.  It was awesome!

So now we’ve checked off 22 of the 59 National Parks and I’m pumped to check off the remaining 37 over the next several years!

Thanks!!!

1. Glacier 
2. Yellowstone 
3. Grand Tetons 
4. Badlands
5. Death Valley
6. Arches
7. Canyonlands
8. Capitol Reef
9. Zion
10. Bryce Canyon
11. Dry Tortugas
12. Everglades
13. Volcanoes
14. Wind Cave
15. Rocky Mountain
16. Theodore Roosevelt
17. Joshua Tree
18. Channel Islands 
19. Pinnacles
20. Olympic
21. Mount Rainier
22. North Cascades

While hiking in mount Rainier National Park this morning we hiked through another grove of ancient trees.  As we wandered in wonder of these huge sentinels we came across several “nurse logs,” the once giant trees fallen by the elements that has begun to decompose and has become a place for new trees to grow.  They’re beautiful in a few different ways, mainly in the beauty of nature and in the beauty of giving of itself even at its end.

We’ve seen many examples of these trees on this trip, the one above is a perfect example.  As its last gift to the world it provides a source of nutrition and safety, it gives new trees a place to grow.  There’s something about seeing them that just seems right, and I smile as I see them.

A little while later we happened past a sign that was explaining the way that nurse trees work and then included a quote by Edwin Way Teale.  As I read it I couldn’t help but think of my dad…

“For a great tree death comes as a gradual transformation. Its vitality ebbs slowly. Even when life has abandoned it entirely it remains a majestic thing. On some hilltop a dead tree may dominate the landscape for miles around. Alone among living things it retains its character and dignity after death. Plans wither; animals disintegrates. But a dead tree may be as arresting, as filled with personality, in death as it is in life. Even in its final moments, when the massive trunk lies prone and it has moldering into a ridge covered with mosses and fungi, it arrives at a fitting and noble end. It enriches and refreshes the earth. And later, as part of other green and growing things, it rises again.”

My thoughts immediately went to the memory of Dad.  In the past weeks his personality and smile have dominated my landscape.  He’s retained his character and dignity after death and I’m more aware of it now than ever.  Even though he’s gone he’s continued to enrich so many lives.  Many of his friends and families have done things to put smiles on the faces of strangers, have helped others, and done things they normally may not have, inspired by Dad.  He’s now risen to heaven and continues to live in us forever.

Just as the nurse tree Dad continues to provide a source of growth and food for my soul.  He raised me, helped instill his values in me, provided me with safety, and has continued to help me grow even through his death.

Dad, I love you dude!  I’ve been thinking about you often on this trip, wondering if you’ve seen these places before, and smiling knowing that you’re seeing them with me now.  Talking with you has put a smile on my face, I know you’re smiling too!

Thanks!!!