I have gone around the sun 61 times. Recently I have taken the time to look back on my life and where I am now. I have to ask if I am happy where I am and where I am going. No I am not thinking about leaving the center. But, I am looking at what I want out of life.

Experiences not Things

My friend Lyndsey has taught me the idea that experiences are better than things. I have come to embrace this thought. Looking back it is the experiences that I remember. Despite how much I have wanted things at the time, they in the long run don’t really mean anything now.

I can remember my first trip to Disney world. My mom worked so hard to be able to take us there in 1972. I remember a later family trip where Mark, my brother, and I slept in the station wagon at Fort Disney. And the fun park was fishing with him at night.

I remember snowmobiling with my stepdad Roy. When he tried to cover me in snow hanging from pine branches but in trying he pulled the kill switch and the snow fell on him. Or the poker run we did together despite the temperature being below zero.

I remember coaching baseball, football and basketball for years. Watching kids grow and change. Trying always to be team happy.

I love to travel yet hate to leave home. Yet my days in Alaska, or Rocky Mountain National Park are some of my best days. My thin place is often in the mountains and almost always in nature. Quiet time in the parks of Utah. Sitting on the beach letting the sound of the waves was over me.

The closest thing to things meaning much are really not things. They are my dogs. Dogs who love me unconditionally, are excited to welcome me home. They have a special place in my heart. The first one was Barney, then KD, Magic, Belle, Sable, Kehni, Star, Momma Dog, Boomer, Pepe, and Max.

The trips as a youth director. The van time, the conversations. The former students that call to catch up or ask advice.

Family trips. Disney for the millinaium, cruises, renting houses. Cabo with friends who are now family.

Teaching confirmation, Baptizing the sisters, performing weddings, sitting with grief at funerals.

I have many wonderful experiences here in Pine Ridge. I often state I have the hardest job I ever had. And I have the best job I ever had. Often in the same day. The excitement of helping some one improve their life. The look on faces as we make cotton candy. The person who talks rather than going for a drink. The people who come visit and those who invited me to visit them.

I do not know what the future holds for me. I am not worried about it. I am going to focus on the present. I plan to have new experiences and make more memories.

God loves me this I know.