Roaming the Countryside: It's Good To Be Alive

My Dad & My Son Summer of '10
Family Vacation Memories

Caleb and I were shooting basketball in our neighbor's driveway the other night. Nothing serious, just playing Around The World. The basketball pole and hoop belonged to my friend Ron. I bought it because he had one that I shattered with a world-record 3 point attempt a few summers back. I was the only adult in the crowd... the ball left my hands and rocketed across the street, over the driveway, hit perfectly in the center of the square on the plexiglass backboard... and went straight through it leaving a perfect ball-sized hole.

All the kids took off running. And I was left to the evidence of my stupidity and found myself offering to pay for a new one. The next weekend I found one at the local sporting goods store (a little better than the one I shattered) and I spent time with Ron as together we raised the new set.

I think a lot of Ron. I miss the evenings when we drank coffee on his back porch and talked at length about life. He had raised his family and was enjoying retirement and grandkids. He was able to help me with perspective through some tough times. When I think of Ron, I smile and I am reminded of his words to me that I not miss this time in my life.

This is an incredible time. I love seeing the wonder in the eyes of my children and feeling the hand of my wife slip into my own as we realize the power of these days. There is so much noise in life... and there are real problems. But I am learning that these problems are insignificant to the legacy that I leave with my children.

My father installed a basketball hoop for me when I was in high school. We used to shoot around for hours. Those moments were incredible. Just spending the time together. As Caleb and I played in the waning light of the evening... I remembered those days. I was also missing my neighbor and was intensely feeling his absence while I envisioned him taking shots alongside us. The basketball pole seemed empty and alone.

My mind flashed back to when I left for college. I also left a basketball pole standing quiet and alone. I wondered if my dad ever walked out there after I left home for college... took a ball in his hand... and quietly took a shot while he remembered our times together while I was growing up.

I broke from my imagination and bent over and gave Caleb a strong, long hug. These days are incredible. Nothing compares. We are rich.

And it's good to be alive
To feel the wind in my face
See the blue in the sky
It's days like this I realize
What a gift it is
It's good to be alive

I had a conversation via Facebook Chat Mobile the other day with a co-worker. I saved the exchange and I have read it every day since. We were able to share along these lines:

Pay my bills, sell my house..be a missionary.

Thanks for the shout Ryan... you made my day and reminded me what a gift it is that we all really do have!

Well I wonder, what this day will see
Will I find my dreams or stare in the face of tragedy
Whatever may come
Whatever may be
Of this I am sure, I'm forgiven and free
And I will live like I believe

It's Good To Be Alive.

Roaming the Countryside

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

It's Good To Be Alive

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