2013- Already a year to remember

From the beginning, this year has been one for the record books.  Last year there was no snow and very little cold weather. I didn't have to scape ice off my windsheild one time. The law of averages caught up with us this year.  54" in a 3 week span.

We shovelled, survived, and began to wonder why we live in Kansas?  10 below in the winter and weeks well over 100 in the summer. Add our complete lack of scenery and you get an idea why we're asking that question. 

Spring finally arrived but brought a terrifying phone call from our oldest daughter's husband.  His quick message was the sort of things that bring any parent to their knees.  They were travelling in Texas and had a head-on collision at highway speeds. He told us that all were alive but please pray. He hung up quickly and we had no idea about injuries to Mandy, Marcus, or their 3 little ones.

Thankfully, there were no significant injuries to our family and, while the other driver suffered a broken leg,  all involved survived. God is good.

May brought another family milestone as we gave our youngest daughter in marriage. Brooke was absolutely radiant as she became Mrs. Thomas Sunderland.

We don't have all the photos back yet and I will blog more about this event later. It was a wonderful day and I felt like a King giving away a princess.


Shortly after the wedding, Joy and I began to discuss selling our business. There was an interested buyer and we wanted to begin the transition toward selling everything here and moving closer to our kids.

We opened this shop in 2002 and have enjoyed thousands of customers and the satisfaction of building a dream and hanging on for the wild ride that is part of any new startup business. It's been a great run but after 40+ years of dealing with folks in an insurance claims and retail setting, I'm longing to discover a new dream.

All was good and then Joy found the tumor in her left breast. This type of thing only happens to someone else but we found ourselves forced down a road where there are often more questions than answers. All sorts of thought jump to the forefront of your mind when the doctor confirms what you feared. Suddenly, selling the business and thoughts of travel were gone and a new giant stood before us.

Here's my sweetie on the Oregon coast last summer. Always smiling, kind, and living life positively. I know. We're proof that opposites do attract. She's everything I wish I could be and more. So, as we began this detour from the path of life that we'd carefully crafted, we do so with the knowledge that she can beat this and that attitude matters. All we have to do is keep moving forward and trusting God for the rest. We'll figure it out.