A few months before Dad passed away he and I were talking about Dominic’s transition into Boy Scouts.  Through the course of the conversation I brought up the Boy Scout pocket knife that my grandpa gave me once I had moved into Boy Scouts.  As we talked he mentioned that he needed to do the same for Dominic.  I’ve had my knife for many years (25+?) and I think of my grandpa every single time I use it and Dad knew that (I blogged about it a while back).  His wish was to give Dominic a similar knife so he’d do the same.

As with many things in our lives it never quite happened the way Dad planned.  Whether it was other things that had taken priority or it had just slipped his mind, it doesn’t really matter now does it?  Don’t mind me while I ramble for a second as something just crossed my mind.  There are many times in which I spend way too much time and energy thinking about questions like that…  was it because of this or because of that?  Once something happens it doesn’t really matter anymore, does it?  It’s already done.  How much of life have I wasted on meaningless questions like that?  How much energy could’ve been used elsewhere?  It doesn’t really matter though, does it?  It is done and learning from it is all that matters right now.  LOL – thanks for bearing with me on that one!

Anyways, I knew it was what Dad wanted, to give Dominic that Boy Scout knife, so while he couldn’t do it himself anymore I did the next best thing.  I got it for Dominic and explained that it was really from Grandpa Pete.  He smiled from ear to ear while showing the emotion that he truly grasped the gravity of what I was telling him.

When Gavin gets older I’ll do the same for him, just as Dad would’ve wanted.  As they get older and have kids of their own I’ll do the same for them, just as I want.  If I’ve done my job as a father, one day they’ll do the same for their grandkids, because they want to keep the family tradition alive.

Dad may be gone, but there are memories of him everywhere.  I’m thankful for each of them and the way that they help me look more deeply at myself.  This family tradition encapsulates this concept so well.  It involves giving, an activity that is near all of our hearts (scouting), we use it often, and it has one of Dad’s favorite mental tricks included…  Whenever you pick up a tool take a minute to think about who gave it to you, why they gave it to you, where it came from, and how you got it.  Think of those things, smile, and be grateful for them.

Thanks!!!

You may or may not know this, but I’m not a huge fan of large gatherings.  Give me time with a small handful of people and life is great, I’ll be smiling the whole time.  A bunch of people and the smile fades quickly and I get drained.  To be clear, I really like people, I just struggle with many at once.

That said, I get a little nervous when I hear a comment like “I’m having a bunch of co-workers over for dinner…”  They’re all great people and I have a ton of fun with each of them, but all of them at once and I get a little nervous.

Cue Becky, the Hostess with the Most-est…

So Becky to the rescue as she gets all the food prepped and ready, makes sure that everyone will have something that they will like, and that everything is set for a great night.  Never nervous or rattled, she gets everything in line and ready, including me.  Sure, I’m happy to jump in and help, but she’s the brains, the mastermind, behind any get together like this.  I ask her what she needs, she tells me, and life is good.  No matter what type of curveball gets thrown her way she takes it in stride, doesn’t stress, works her magic, and everything works out great.

Tonight was another example of that.  There were approximately 20 of us and everything went of perfectly!  Almost exactly enough food (enough leftovers for one meal), a great time, and everyone was smiling and enjoying each others’ company.  It was awesome!  Even me, the dude who’s not a huge fan of that many people at once, had an excellent time.  She was able to set the stage for everyone in a ways that there were always many conversations going and it never felt like 20-ish people.  It felt like there were a few small groups and every so often the groups switched a little.  It was perfect!

If it were left up to me there would only be small gatherings once in a while, that’s my comfort zone.  Thankfully I have Becky to balance me out and reminding me that I can have a lot of fun with a larger group.  As a matter of fact, I had an incredible night with many people that I wouldn’t have had without her.  I’m so very thankful for her hostessing skills that helped create an awesome experience for all of us tonight.

Thanks Mrs. Hostess with the Most-est, you’re the best-est!!!  Love you!!!

Thanks!!!

As I was heading to Chatfield very early this morning I was listening to The Book of Joy.   I know, you’re probably getting tired of hearing about it, but suck it up, it’s pretty awesome and there’s probably more posts upcoming 🙂

One of the stories they shared had my laughing out loud.  As they’re talking with the Dalai Lama, one of the most revered holy people in the world, he shared a story to demonstrate the way that humor and humility add to our joy.

He discussed a meeting with some Japanese officials at a very formal meeting.  As they were perfectly dressed, acting very professionally, and embodying the word “formal,” a piece of fruit rolled off of the table that they were standing around.  As the fruit rolled off the table they were scattering and diving for it, acting like normal people trying to catch something falling.  The Dalai Lama found this very funny and his laughter caused everyone to pause and laugh at the humor of the situation.  He said that in that moment everyone was human and everyone was smiling, feeling happiness.  The part that literally made me laugh out loud was was when he shared that ever since that moment when he’s in a very formal situation he’s secretly hoping for something funny to happen just so everyone can have a laugh and be more human!  How cool is that, someone of the Dalai Lama’s stature hoping for a trip or fall to add a little humor?

At yoga tonight we had one of those moments and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did everyone in the room.  While we’re all very focused, serious about our breathing, and concentrating on how we’re moving there was a direction from the instructor that half of us misinterpreted as a different direction.  Realizing that half of us had made a mistake we all broke into laughter and enjoyed the moment.  There was no focus, stress, or concentration, only the joy of appreciating a magical little moment of humanity… and it was awesome!!!

Those little moments eliminate the differences that stand between us and unite us all as simple humans.  Those little moments make us all smile and remember that there is no difference between any of us, we’re all just people appreciating life.  How awesome is that?

Thanks!!!

If you’re looking for something serious and incredibly insightful today, you’re in the wrong place!  The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and I’m head over heels in love!  Becky won me over (yet again!) by making an awesome lasagna for supper.  If parts of this don’t quite make sense it’s because all of the blood that is rushing from my head to my stomach to help me digest…

Seriously?  Almost two years in and I haven’t been thankful for lasagna?  What’s wrong with me???  Two years of neglecting my favorite food in the entire world?  Sad.  I know, I was thankful for being totally spoiled by my mother in law and that was inspired BY lasagna, but it’s just not quite the same.

Ahh…  Cheesy, garlic filled, pasta perfection…  Life is pretty freaking awesome!  Thanks again for making my favorite food ever Becky – love you!!!

Thanks!!!

Becky and I kicked off the morning with a nice six miler, the first long run of our training plan for an upcoming half marathon.  Running while it was cool and quiet on the country roads alongside the lake felt wonderful.

Thanks to Uncle Nick and Aunt Jennifer there was a boat for us to cruise around on the chain of lakes.  Between tubing, wake surfing, and cruising we all had a great time just soaking in the sun and maybe having a hoppy beverage or two!  All eleven of us fit on their boat very comfortably and it was fun shooting the bull and listening to tunes.

There’s something about being on a boat on a sunny summer day like today that leaves me smiling from ear to ear.  No stress, just relaxation.  At one point I had the front of the wake boat all to myself and may or may not have fallen asleep for a little while 😉

Pretty soon we’ll head out for a bite to eat, maybe an Old Fashioned or two, and the day will be complete.

Thanks!!!

I just want to give everyone a couple of warnings about the post today.  First, I never would have believed it had someone else told me the story, and even as I think about it I’m not sure if it sounds too “out there” to share.  Second, this was something that hit me very deeply and I may or may not dive into a ton of detail… it all depends on what happens as I type.  Last, it’ll probably help bring on a case of the feels…  just sayin’…

So yoga on Tuesday was absolutely incredible.  Not just the workout, it was much more than that.  After almost an hour of twisting, stretching, pushing, and pulling we end with the “Final Rest,” or savasana.  In going from strenuous work to laying flat on my back with my eyes closed and arms out I’m transported to a peace I rarely find elsewhere in life.  Usually when I get to this point I find myself chilling at one of my favorite places on Earth…  on the volcanic beach in Hawaii watching lava…  laying on a giant rock in a boulder field near Long’s Peak…  sitting on the shore of Iceberg Lake in Glacier NP…  you get the idea.  I just sit there and just exist, totally present, no thoughts or stress, just enjoying the feel of the air and savoring the incredible view.  This Tuesday was very different.

The last time I had gone to yoga prior to Tuesday was the last Saturday my dad was alive.  During yoga that morning I just couldn’t get into the swing of it.  Nothing was quite working right, I was struggling to stay focused, I was just off.  Try as I might I just couldn’t get myself to be present.  Finally I got into the groove, just in time for Final Rest.  As I started to go to one of my normal haunts something entirely different happened.  I was in an area that was pure white.  Had it not been for one thing in view I wouldn’t have been sure if it was a two dimensional view I had.  That one thing I saw was Dad.  Not angelic or anything, just my dad.  He looked at me and said “Hey bud, I’m leaving.”  No tears, no sadness, just a statement of fact.  And with that it was time to wake up from the rest.  As Becky drove home from yoga I told her what happened and I wept.  I knew that Dad wasn’t going to make it.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday.  With this being my first time back to yoga I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was able to get into the swing of it quickly and it all felt right.  Far from perfect it was all good.  Everything was clicking and I was totally checked in and present.

As I went into the final rest my mind led me somewhere different yet again.  I was on the porch of the house on the coast of the ocean in Hawaii… and Dad was with me.  We both cried, hugged, told each other we loved each other and took a little while soak in the moment.  “Dad, I’ve got some places to show you!” I said as we jumped from one of my favorite places to the other, all places I would’ve loved to have gone to see with Dad but didn’t until that moment.  It was incredible!  Without his earthly form we were free to go anywhere together.  We zipped from the coast to the volcanic beach and watched lava pouring into the ocean.  We chilled on the rock near Long’s.  We hiked along the rim above Emerald Lake.  As we ended up at the Ancient Grove we spent a little time talking and catching up.  As looked up at one of the ancient trees I laughed and asked him how much wood we could get out of that tree and we both almost doubled over in laughter.  We hugged, exchanged I love you’s…  and then our instructor told us to start moving.  

It took all of my strength to keep myself stoic as we wrapped up and headed out.  As soon as we got to the car I buried my face in my towel and wept as I told Becky about it.  She was concerned and wanted to make sure I was okay.  I told her the truth – I was awesome!  How incredible of an experience to have, to have that extra time with my dad?  

At the end of the day I know it sounds crazy.  All I know is that it felt as real as I feel typing right now.  It could easily be my mind playing a trick on me, giving me what I want so bad.  Maybe I actually fell asleep and it was a dream.  Regardless, I could care less what it actually was, for me it was an incredible experience with Dad.  Real or not, I’ll hold it close in my heart for the rest of my life. 

It has been a couple of days since this experience but I find myself thinking about it often and am so thankful for it.

Thanks!!!

I just want to give everyone a couple of warnings about the post today.  First, I never would have believed it had someone else told me the story, and even as I think about it I’m not sure if it sounds too “out there” to share.  Second, this was something that hit me very deeply and I may or may not dive into a ton of detail… it all depends on what happens as I type.  Last, it’ll probably help bring on a case of the feels…  just sayin’…

So yoga on Tuesday was absolutely incredible.  Not just the workout, it was much more than that.  After almost an hour of twisting, stretching, pushing, and pulling we end with the “Final Rest,” or savasana.  In going from strenuous work to laying flat on my back with my eyes closed and arms out I’m transported to a peace I rarely find elsewhere in life.  Usually when I get to this point I find myself chilling at one of my favorite places on Earth…  on the volcanic beach in Hawaii watching lava…  laying on a giant rock in a boulder field near Long’s Peak…  sitting on the shore of Iceberg Lake in Glacier NP…  you get the idea.  I just sit there and just exist, totally present, no thoughts or stress, just enjoying the feel of the air and savoring the incredible view.  This Tuesday was very different.

The last time I had gone to yoga prior to Tuesday was the last Saturday my dad was alive.  During yoga that morning I just couldn’t get into the swing of it.  Nothing was quite working right, I was struggling to stay focused, I was just off.  Try as I might I just couldn’t get myself to be present.  Finally I got into the groove, just in time for Final Rest.  As I started to go to one of my normal haunts something entirely different happened.  I was in an area that was pure white.  Had it not been for one thing in view I wouldn’t have been sure if it was a two dimensional view I had.  That one thing I saw was Dad.  Not angelic or anything, just my dad.  He looked at me and said “Hey bud, I’m leaving.”  No tears, no sadness, just a statement of fact.  And with that it was time to wake up from the rest.  As Becky drove home from yoga I told her what happened and I wept.  I knew that Dad wasn’t going to make it.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday.  With this being my first time back to yoga I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I was able to get into the swing of it quickly and it all felt right.  Far from perfect it was all good.  Everything was clicking and I was totally checked in and present.

As I went into the final rest my mind led me somewhere different yet again.  I was on the porch of the house on the coast of the ocean in Hawaii… and Dad was with me.  We both cried, hugged, told each other we loved each other and took a little while soak in the moment.  “Dad, I’ve got some places to show you!” I said as we jumped from one of my favorite places to the other, all places I would’ve loved to have gone to see with Dad but didn’t until that moment.  It was incredible!  Without his earthly form we were free to go anywhere together.  We zipped from the coast to the volcanic beach and watched lava pouring into the ocean.  We chilled on the rock near Long’s.  We hiked along the rim above Emerald Lake.  As we ended up at the Ancient Grove we spent a little time talking and catching up.  As looked up at one of the ancient trees I laughed and asked him how much wood we could get out of that tree and we both almost doubled over in laughter.  We hugged, exchanged I love you’s…  and then our instructor told us to start moving.  

It took all of my strength to keep myself stoic as we wrapped up and headed out.  As soon as we got to the car I buried my face in my towel and wept as I told Becky about it.  She was concerned and wanted to make sure I was okay.  I told her the truth – I was awesome!  How incredible of an experience to have, to have that extra time with my dad?  

At the end of the day I know it sounds crazy.  All I know is that it felt as real as I feel typing right now.  It could easily be my mind playing a trick on me, giving me what I want so bad.  Maybe I actually fell asleep and it was a dream.  Regardless, I could care less what it actually was, for me it was an incredible experience with Dad.  Real or not, I’ll hold it close in my heart for the rest of my life. 

It has been a couple of days since this experience but I find myself thinking about it often and am so thankful for it.

Thanks!!!