Sitting Still

Sometimes you just need to sit still, think, daydream, reflect, reevaluate your goals and then move forward.

It all depends on how much you have to think about, it may take just a few moments and sometimes it may take a day or two, but this has to be done in order to know what your next step is and how to get there.
Most of the time I have to force myself to do this mind exercise because who has the time to do nothing except think, right?

This weekend I had every intention to do just that. I wanted to get some much needed and neglected chores done around the house, then sit back to think. I needed to evaluate every project I have going at the moment. Finishing the house is top on that list but also the outdoor kitchen, the off grid spa area, the tool shed, all the fencing and what landscaping we will need. Then I needed to make the materials list and put a timeline and dollar amount to each one.
All that and then add in the new chili cooking year fast approaching and all that lintels. Where and how many times to cook, the money, the weekend cooking trips, take the camper or just tent it and then the first week of November at the world championship chili cook off sleeping in a tent, off grid, in the desert for ten days and trying to think about all we will need for that.
Somewhere in all that I also need to pencil in a couple or three weekend trips for fishing and relaxing. Where to go, what take, who to invite and the food. Then add in all the holidays, birthdays and whatever else we celebrate plus the with a demanding "real" work schedule, I don't even have the time to sit and write this post. I am already twelve weeks behind! I need to retire just to catch up.

But I didn't get to do any of that this weekend and I was mad about it until last night when I had the chance to sit and think. I didn't think about the projects, the weekends, the chili cooking or any of the sorts. Our one and only free weekend for the next two months and with all these plans to fill it, it was all changed. Instead, we celebrated our 25th year anniversary, went boating with my brother, went shopping and even rekindled an old relationship. We also stopped by a friends house and worked out some differences, had a beer and hugged it out. We also spent some time with extended family and to finish it all off, sat on the back porch with my parents and talked as the sun sank behind the hill.

So I guess it all boils down to this, you got all the time in the world to sit and think about all the things you have to do, but you only have a limited time in your life to do the things you need to do. The projects and work will always be there for the rest of your life, that is a guarantee. The people and things that matter the most, will not.  
           
Thanks for reading, see ya next time.
Jerry

Serenity

For my daughters graduation, I sent her and my wife on a little cruise. She has worked so hard these past 4 1/2 years and deserved getting away for a few days.

  I was not about to sit at home for a week so I pulled out the old bucket list and started planning.

 I ended up going to Oklahoma and doing some fly fishing. I have always wanted to fly fish and now I had the opportunity to get away, relax and learn something new.
I brought along a buddy of mine just so we could make fun of each other with all the tangles and beginner casting issues. We hired a guide to show us how this first time and to take us to the best places. Experiencing it for the first time I felt I needed a guide, but now his duties are no longer needed.
I can tell you, there really is nothing like it. I was so concentrated on my casting, placing the fly in just the right spot and watching the little indicator as it quickly floated by that nothing else existed in the world.



I also took a little time in the late evenings and early mornings to sit out enjoy a good book.
On this adventure I chose to bring "Rock Springs" by Richard Ford. It's hard to put this book down. A little slow at the start, but a few pages in and your hooked.
I highly recommend this read on your next outing, you won't be disappointed. 

    

Excitement Is A Understatement

Even though it was hard scheduling the family with all the events and everything that goes with it, we made it through. All it really mattered was Jessie having her day.

It Is Finished

A little over four years ago I did the hardest thing I have ever had to do as a parent, drop my oldest daughter Jessie off at college.

Like it was only yesterday, I remember the terrified look on her face as we said our goodbyes on the campus of Texas A&M and left for home. This was the fist time we had to do anything like this and even though we tried to prepare ourselves, it was a lot harder than we could have imagined.
Trying to hold back the tears but being unsuccessful, I had to keep reminding myself that every parent goes through this and she is only four hours away instead of across the country.
Two hours in on our ride home she called, said she wanted to come home, said this was stupid, said this college was not for her. It took everything I had not to turn around and go get her. I hated to hear her cry and wanted nothing more than to be her hero one more time, but I didn't. What I did know was, she needed to do this so she would have a better life than me. She needed this so she can make her mark one the world and not suffer and sacrifice like me and her momma did. She needed this for so many more reasons than I could count and by me not turning around, packing up her things and taking her back home, I was the hero, even though it didn't feel like it at that moment.
One day turned into two, then a week went by and she starting hitting her grove. We adjusted at home as best we could and with her daily calls and frequent weekend visits, time started just flying by.
Over the years she tried to call at least once a day just to talk. It may have been for only a minute, but it was really good to hear her voice and that is what got us all though.

And now here it is, the day we have been waiting for. I cannot believe it has already been over four years. Friday we will be traveling to Texas A&M to see my daughter walk across the stage as a college graduate. I have been waiting a long time to write that sentence.

To Jessie,
Baby, you did it! I could not be more proud of you. Four years ago nether of us could imagine this day would ever come. It was so far in the future that we couldn't see the end. Well, the end is here. You have accomplished your goals and dreams.
As I sit here and write this I can only imagine what the future holds for you. Just like when we brought you home from the hospital so many years ago, me and your mom would sit and talk to you about your life, about where you will go, what you will do, even the great deeds you will accomplish. Just days old and not even able to understand me, I would tell you what a miracle and blessing you are to us and everyone else you will ever meet. That has held true though out your whole life.
Thank you, it has been such a pleasure raising you up to the beautiful young woman you are today. Thank you for including us in your life and letting us be there every step of the way. Thank you for letting us go down this wonderful journey with you. Thank you, for being you.
Me and your mom love you more than you will ever know. We are so proud of you. 
WOOOOP