Blessings!
As I am about to depart for yet another great motorcycle trip, I am reflecting
on the many blessings in my life. I must always remember how fortunate
and blessed I am to be able to do these adventures.
Cathy
First, for my wife Cathy that again encouraged me to take this opportunity when it came along. She knows that as we age, some of these adventures will no longer be possible so she supports doing them now while I still can. Also, she was ok with the fact that due to the timing of this trip, we will not be together for Christmas this year. Cathy and I have been married 35 years and we have always been together for Christmas.
Family
I have 2 great daughters that are both doing well, are well educated as demonstrated by their Doctorate and PHD degrees, and are making major contributions to society through their work and lives. What more could a parent ask for? It is such a blessing to not have to worry about how a child is doing or what they are doing but rather getting to enjoy their many accomplishments!
As our family continues to grow with the addition of our first grandchild soon, it is also shrinking as now both my father (who passed away in 2014), and now my mother (who passed away earlier this year) and no longer with us. We have also lost other close family members this year. This being the first Christmas without them will be a little tougher emotionally.
Health
I must count my health as a blessing as well. So far in life, my overall good health has allowed me to do many things rather than being a limiting factor as it for some. While I know I could do much better in some areas of my health life, but I know I am more fortunate than many.
Employment
In 2019, I will complete 30 years of service with my current employer - Cummins. I have worked for only 3 companies during my adult work life; not many people can say that anymore! Cummins has provided me the opportunity to do, accomplish, and see many things I never even dreamed of growing up on a small farm in Minnesota.
Because of all of the above, the one part of this trip that will be hard is that I will not be with my family for the Christmas season. With our move from Minnesota to Indiana earlier this year, and with my children living in California and Arizona, I am seeing my family less already. Not being with any them during Christmas may be harder than I initially thought when initially contemplating this trip, but I know we will be together in spirit and I can rely on memories of our previous times together to get through this. Also, I am sure we will be having such a great time in Patagonia that the time will pass very quickly!
Blessings to each of you and families during the upcoming Christmas and holiday season. Remember to count and share your blessings with those you love!
Cathy
First, for my wife Cathy that again encouraged me to take this opportunity when it came along. She knows that as we age, some of these adventures will no longer be possible so she supports doing them now while I still can. Also, she was ok with the fact that due to the timing of this trip, we will not be together for Christmas this year. Cathy and I have been married 35 years and we have always been together for Christmas.
Family
I have 2 great daughters that are both doing well, are well educated as demonstrated by their Doctorate and PHD degrees, and are making major contributions to society through their work and lives. What more could a parent ask for? It is such a blessing to not have to worry about how a child is doing or what they are doing but rather getting to enjoy their many accomplishments!
As our family continues to grow with the addition of our first grandchild soon, it is also shrinking as now both my father (who passed away in 2014), and now my mother (who passed away earlier this year) and no longer with us. We have also lost other close family members this year. This being the first Christmas without them will be a little tougher emotionally.
Health
I must count my health as a blessing as well. So far in life, my overall good health has allowed me to do many things rather than being a limiting factor as it for some. While I know I could do much better in some areas of my health life, but I know I am more fortunate than many.
Employment
In 2019, I will complete 30 years of service with my current employer - Cummins. I have worked for only 3 companies during my adult work life; not many people can say that anymore! Cummins has provided me the opportunity to do, accomplish, and see many things I never even dreamed of growing up on a small farm in Minnesota.
Because of all of the above, the one part of this trip that will be hard is that I will not be with my family for the Christmas season. With our move from Minnesota to Indiana earlier this year, and with my children living in California and Arizona, I am seeing my family less already. Not being with any them during Christmas may be harder than I initially thought when initially contemplating this trip, but I know we will be together in spirit and I can rely on memories of our previous times together to get through this. Also, I am sure we will be having such a great time in Patagonia that the time will pass very quickly!
Blessings to each of you and families during the upcoming Christmas and holiday season. Remember to count and share your blessings with those you love!
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