One of the benefits of doing this blog daily and then sharing it is the memoires that re-appear each year.  Today was a perfect example of this.  My post from a year ago reminded me of a wonderful act of kindness from a friend.  The post from two years ago brought a peace and calm that I’ll hope to convey through the next few paragraphs.

To properly set the stage I need to start from the start of the day.  My alarm went off and I laid in bed looking up at absolutely nothing in the dark in the direction of the ceiling.  I considered going back to sleep but opted for movement (quick side note – funny how many times something really cool happens when I talk myself into getting out of bed instead of sleeping in…  maybe I should do that more often!).  Once dressed I headed out for a run and as soon as I stepped outside my senses were filled with one of my favorite scents, freshly dug topsoil (I know, it’s weird, but trust me, there’s something magical about it for me).  I paused and took a big breath in through my nose and immediately felt a light breath of wind across my face.  Before the small gust had finished washing across my face I was thinking of my dad.

A couple of years ago today we were on a family vacation in Olympic National Park – exactly two weeks after he’d passed away.  Throughout the day I caught myself talking with him in my head when I had moments alone in the woods.  At one point on a hike that day I spoke to him out loud and said that I loved him and missed him.  Right after I said that a light gust of wind brushed across my face.  I almost froze in mid-step as I was in a densely wooded expanse of northwest rainforest that allowed very little air movement.  I can’t explain the feel in any way other than I could just feel in the core of my being that Dad was saying that he loved me too.  That moment is forever frozen in my brain.

Later in the day we went on a hike through one of the most serenely beautiful forests I’ve ever experienced, the Ancient Groves.  The trees were over 750 years old and had grown in peace for literally centuries.  My dad would have loved that place!  As we hiked through Becky followed her intuition and took the boys ahead of the trail without me a little bit and I lagged behind.  For a short while I felt the presence of Dad walking along with me.  I never actually said anything, I just walked with him and soaked in the beauty around us.  It was quite possibly the most peaceful and fulfilling walk I’d ever been on with him, or with him but without him as it was.  Memories of talking with him about his similar walk in the woods after his dad passed away slipped into my memory.  That was one that I’ll never forget.

This morning between the smell and wind and the general temperature I had such clear memories of that walk in Olympic.  As I ran I thought of Dad often, especially when I had this incredible sight in front of me as I turned a corner…

Thanks!!!

There were almost several different topics today; getting to know a teammate better, laser like focus, rolling up the sleeves, and a handful of others. While I’m still very thankful for each of those things I’ve just got to blog about something that happened late in the work day that still blows my mind.

We had something that had to be shipped out quickly from Eau Claire and after getting an initial quote my jaw dropped at the price. A friend totally stepped up and not only saved us a ton of cash, but they drove all the way up from Winona TODAY to help us out. How wild is that? Making a drive like that to help us out in a pinch! As soon as Ryan pulled up to the office he was smiling from ear to ear and was happy to help. Within a matter of minutes it was loaded up and on its way.

For reals, I was expecting it to cost a lot more, Be a pain in the butt, and just barely make the deadline. Instead I found someone willing to go way above and beyond the call of duty to help us out. If you need to send or ship anything please be sure to give Ryan and the Pac-n-Mail Express team a call – they are amazing!!! https://www.winonapacnmail.com/

Ryan, thank you so much for the help today!!!

Thanks!!!

Funny how there’s a mystique to certain numbers isn’t it? For the past month or so I’ve had today in the back of my brain and have been thinking about what I should be thankful for today. I’ve had ideas of being super deep and philosophical, thought about some type of a countdown of my favorite memories and/or posts from the past 999 days, and even pondered something humorous. The funny thing is that in doing that I was totally missing the entire concept of why I blog daily about something I’m thankful for.

Even throughout the night and day I was way overthinking today’s post. At least today I was tying in concepts from experiences, interactions, and thoughts from today. In putting that much thought into it over the course of the day there were so many things I was thankful for that could’ve otherwise been missed. Alas, I couldn’t quite nail down what the right thing was.

About thirty minutes ago it hit me right between the eyes and I literally chuckled to myself. It was the perfect post for today.

Tonight hasn’t gone anything as planned, but I’ve gotten to spend it with Becky. Who cares the situation, any night that I’m able to spend with her is one in which I’m thankful. In spending time with her tonight I’m spending time with my best friend. Why over think something so simple? I’m thankful for the most precious gift in the entire world, time with a loved one. How awesome is that?

Thank you to everyone in my life that I’ve spent time with in the past 1,000 days since I turned 40, I appreciate you all greatly!!!

Thanks!!!

When I wrote about Plan B yesterday I was focused on being in the moment with family. We had so much fun spending time together, chilling, and shooting the bull.  As we drove home this morning I realized that there was something else related to this weekend (okay, one of many things, but one that I’ll write about tonight).

As we realized the plans for the weekend we had kind of put in place were starting to unravel we went with Plan B.  Nowhere in the original plan for this weekend was the idea of staying at Nick & Jenn’s house.  As luck would have it, that’s where we all ended up.

With very short notice they were incredible hosts, taking care of everything from meals and drinks to sleeping arrangements.  Making room to have six additional guests is not easy work, but they were both completely chill and unstressed the entire time.  It was incredible!  Each time we’ve gone to their house to visit they always take great care of everyone, but this time was even more impressive to me because it was such a spur of the moment thing.

Nick & Jenn, thanks for taking great care of all of us this weekend, we really appreciate it!  We’re grateful for all of the memories you helped us create this weekend, especially on short notice!

Thanks!!!

The boys are outside playing and Becky and I are totally chilling on the couch. To be honest, I am pretty sure she’s asleep already, but that totally cool after the long week she’s had. It has been a while since we’ve had the opportunity to just snuggle on the couch and I’m thankful for these peaceful moments.

Earlier this evening we picked up ice cream and Becky’s choice took me way back to being a kid. Every single time I have a taste of butter pecan ice cream I immediately am reminded of summer evenings at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Each night we were there would end with ice cream and that flavor was the one that we could always count on having (unless they took us to DQ). All it took was one bite of Becky’s ice cream and I was ready to turn on the Brewers game, sit in the screen porch, spend time with my grandparents, and then grab a mason jar and fill it with the lightning bugs I was about to chase. All that from one quick taste of butter pecan!

Pardon me while I cut this short and go back to chillaxing on the couch with Becky … who totally is sleeping now 😉

Thanks!!!

In its totality it’s been a very good day and it really started last night. Just like I said I would my bed was my destination right after blogging. My eyes were closed before my head even hit the pillow. Almost eight hours later I woke up feeling very well rested. It felt amazing!!! I just might have to do it again tonight.

Today I really don’t think I need to say much about the sunrise I saw, the picture pretty much speaks for itself!

Hugely thankful for the help of our friend Courtney this week! With Gavin having Camp Invention, Becky being out of town and me working I am so grateful for Courtney’s willingness to pick Gavin up each day. The monster cookies she also made were dee-lish!!! Thanks Courtney!!!

I am super thankful Becky is coming home tomorrow. Sure, having a second parent in the house will be awesome too, but I am finding myself really missing her now that she’s been gone the better part of two weeks. I am pumped to spend some time with her tomorrow night and this weekend!

Thanks!!!

“If you would be a river you must be a reservoir.” ~ Father Mark Pierce

While Father Mark meant this in a more spiritual sense, this quote hit me differently today.  If I don’t take time to properly take care of myself I am unable to be the version of me that I feel I should be.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been going 100 miles per hour seemingly nonstop.  This has resulted in running myself down, losing good habits, and adding bad habits (have I ever mentioned how much I like to stress eat?).  In the pursuit of working on being who I should be I think I’ve overdone it a bit and need to pump the brakes a little.  It’s nothing too crazy or anything, it’s like a couple of years ago when I was thankful for feeling the wall with my hand before I crashed into it headfirst.  This reminder has been popping into my head every so often as I wrestle with my daily choices.

This evening as I just felt lethargic and run down that quote from Father Mark popped into my head.  It helped me remember to slow down (I can even hear my dad’s voice in my ear, “slow down Mikey!”).  Tonight I am listening to this advice and going to bed early.    The plan was to do some stuff with the boys, get some work done, and a few other random things, but instead I am heading to bed.  As soon as I’m done typing it’s pajama time, and off to hit the hay.  My alarm is already set for an early morning workout – after 8-ish hours of sleep.

Time to work on filling the reservoir back up!  Tonight it’s sleep.  Tomorrow it’s exercise and sleep.  Friday will be exercise, sleep, and watching my food intake.  All simple steps I can take to fill myself back up so I can truly pour myself back into being who I should be.

Thanks!!!

Yesterday was the last hike I’ll ever make in these shoes.  I know, it probably sounds kind of crazy, but I’m very much attached to these shoe.  To most anyone else they are an ugly, beat up, ripped, dirty, smelly, and goofy looking pair of hiking shoes, but to me they are so much more.  When gaze fondly upon these shoes I have awesome memory after awesome memory of moments that these particular shoes have been with me for.

When I look at these shoes I remember:

• Hiking up Grandad’s Bluff before 5am and walking past deer sleeping the side of the road and the company of my friends
• A road trip and a couple of long hikes with some friends in Colorado
• Hiking through Joshua Tree National Park with my family
• A random conversation at a Trader Joes in San Francisco that results din Becky and I seeing a crazy waterfall that drops right into the ocean
• Hiking through the Ancient Grove in Olympic National Park and having a conversation with my dad
• Another long road trip to Colorado to take Dominic out to accomplish a dream – summiting a mountain (Mount Sopris)
• Taking the boys on a hike up approximately 1.7 million stairs to a beautiful watch tower in New Zealand
• A jungle hike in Grand Cayman with friends
• Taking in the incredible view and feeling of history of Mayan ruins in Belize
• Touring around Isle Royale, my fortress of solitude
• Hiking to the top of a glacier in Alaska with my family
• Cruising through the lava fields in Hawaii with my family
• And so many hikes with my family in the bluffs near our house

One simple pair of shoes, so many memories they created with me!  Funny how those shoes were with me for so many mind-blowing moments.  When I think about it when I’d lace them up there was always a smile ahead.  I’d bet that if I looked back at my heart rate and stress levels during that time my heart was racing with excitement and my shoulders were totally relaxed every single time I put them on.  My body and subconscious just knew that adventure lie ahead when they were on my feet.  How awesome is that?

Sleep well in the big shoebox in the sky!

Thanks!!!