525,600 minutes. A year. As I age I find it increasingly difficult to differentiate time. It is harder to compartmentalize and mark discrete periods than I once did. Consider how a school "year" seemed so long when we were young! 9 months.... 9 short months. What folly. What youth.One year ago I was in the throes of a dream turned nightmare. I stumbled stupidly as the fruition of my hopes turned into the instrument of my despair. Owning one's own business is an ambition which is never for the feint of heart-- or for the short-of-funds. Nearly two years after realizing my greatest ambition I was cowed by a fear I didn't know enough to consider.... failure.
I have learned a lot in the last 525,600 minutes. I've learned to value friends and family. It is cliche, but it is truth. I value sunsets from the 18th floor; and cups of coffee after too many the night before.
I value the last snow on a ski slope so far away and so close to home that you will yourself down the ice. I am amazed at the Starbucks mornings and the Culver's afternoons in Chanhassen. I am surprised that a heavy metal burger became a job that saw me into managment in a few months. I've worked the magnificent mile with people I like and ridden the bus with people I didn't.
I've witnessed tragedy and unspeakable illness and waited with baited breath for news of new life. I've seen the frustrations of disease coincide with the advent of baby. Beautiful baby. I've seen a little girl I love fall and skin her knee and blame me... but forgive I suppose. I've played great golf and seen great golf played in spite of me. I've danced: Danced to the point of sweaty, gasping exhaustion. Real dancing... with people who can. I've witnessed love.
In the past I have noticed the small things that enrich life when life needs a kick. Today I respect life for the big things that kick us when we need enriching. The world is held in the balance, and we all sustain the load. Here's to holding fast... no matter what!
