No Regrets

If you haven't read my previous post, that's quite alright, but you might scroll down a bit and take a look at what I chose for a title to that post before reading my commentary this time.....wait! On second thought, maybe you should check out that title after reading the following story. I'm guessing you'll fill your pants either way, but waiting might help you fill them a bit fuller. Which, of course, is what I aim to achieve. So, here goes....

A friend and I hit the road Friday afternoon traveling due North, bound for the fine city of Sioux Falls, SD, for a shooter's school for pyrotechnics. We were very much looking forward to the opportunity to get away for awhile, make some contacts, and hopefully learn a few things we didn't already know with regards to the fine art of professional fireworks. Of course, Old Man Winter was still having a very hard time letting go, as is typically the case during a mid-West April. We fluctuate between winter and spring all month long, and this weekend seemed to favor winter. After checking the weather forecast, I packed accordingly and was prepared for a chilly weekend.

During our three-hour trek, my friend and I found ourselves engaged in a philosophical discussion on how precious life is, and how we tend to take it for granted all too often. We both have the same basic goal, that being not to take any regrets with us when our time comes. I came to the realization years ago that the only guarantee we have in this life is that we will die. And since we have no clue when that time might come, we had better make the most of the days with which we have been blessed. The discussion unfolded from there as we talked about goals and aspirations, achievements and failures. We've all had these types of discussions in the past, I'm quite sure, but they never seem to get old.

On the heels of this discussion we found ourselves driving into what was becoming a bit of a snowstorm. Now, mind you, I am from Nebraska and have driven through my share of pretty nasty winter weather. This particular storm was nothing, comparatively speaking. As we approached Sioux Falls, however, it seemed to be getting a bit worse. Even so, it certainly wasn't anything to write home about. At least not until after we had encountered, "the bridge."

Before I continue, allow me to sidetrack a bit: You know those annoying little signs they always post right before bridges warning you that the bridge may be icy? "CAUTION: BRIDGE MAY BE ICY." Even in the dead of August when it's 10,000 degrees outside, those stupid signs are still there. "CAUTION: BRIDGE MAY BE ICY" Hello? Roads department? Have you noticed how frickin' hot it is out here?? Could ya maybe consider taking down your god damn sign until it's really necessary? But I digress...you see, because those signs are up all year, I have come to the point that I don't necessarily pay attention to them anymore. I know they are there, but I rarely consider what they have to say might actually be true.

Back to "the bridge." We began to ascend toward the peak of a bridge, and as we crossed the actual bridge, I began to realize I had lost all control of the truck and we were sliding at 75 mph. In a fraction of a second, many thoughts went through my mind, including a recap of the discussion we had just entertained ourselves with for an hour. My natural instincts to over-correct the steering wheel kicked in, and I began to turn the wheel in the direction I felt it needed to go. I then realized (still within this fraction of a second, mind you) that if we hit the dry pavement with my wheels cranked as they were, we would most-certainly roll, and who knows if we would survive. So, I began to steer the wheel back a bit in the hopes of saving the spin once we hit the dry pavement.

We were sliding closer and closer to the median, and quite honestly, I had no clue how this was going to end. At some point during the split second we were out-of-control, I remember thinking we would be fortunate if all we did was end up in the median. I knew, even after correcting myself with the wheels, that rolling was a distinct possibility. Amazing what the mind can process in a such a brief moment of time. Somehow, someway, we fishtailed a bit after we got past the ice and ended up in the same direction we started in, and on all four tires. No harm, no foul. Shaken? You bet. Pale? Absolutely. Lucky? Without a doubt.

Now I don't know if this whole incident was meant to happen in order to reinforce to myself my own preaching, but the timing of it all sure seems sensational. I am thankful to have been blessed with life, I am thankful for having survived our South Dakota bridge incident, and I will go forward from here with an even greater appreciation. Oh, and I will damn hard to take no regrets to my grave.

Peace.

I'm Still Alive!!!!!

How in God's name can it be April 20th already? How is that possible?? I swear I just finished wrapping gifts and placing them underneath the Christmas tree, and yet here we are on the verge of Spring already. Funny how that works, because as fast as time has seemingly blown right on by, this winter has been especially long and harsh, at least compared to the last several Nebraska winters.

But I didn't come here to tell you that today.

Actually, I'm not at all sure what exactly I did come here to tell you. I've got so many different topics floating around in the dark crevices of my bean that I'm not so sure where to begin. In all honesty, I guess the real reason for this particular post is to simply let you know that I am still amongst the living and breathing. I'm still here. Usually. At least in the flesh.

Still, for lack of a better way of recapping all that has occurred since the last time I posted anything (which was about the exciting end to the adoption proceedings - you can read it here), I'm going to provide a short list of the events that have taken place:

Our church hosted its biggest outreach event of the year the weekend before Easter, called the Big Hunt. Hundreds of kids and their parents, thousands of candy-stuffed plastic eggs, tons of prizes, tons of food, tons of fun. My wife was a volunteer, which took lots of her time during the few weeks before the event. My contribution was to stay home with the kids so she could contribute directly. That's okay, right?

Our house officially went on the market several weeks ago, and we have begun looking for a bigger and better place. We have sort of stalled though. We've had a couple of serious lookers, but they have not panned out. At least not yet. Things just aren't moving very fast right now, though we've been told the market is on the brink of change. Still, it's proven to be an excruciating process thus far, if for no other reason that the waiting game.

Kaedyn started Spring soccer. He's in a more competitive league this year, though still run by the YMCA. He has really made some progress in his abilities. It's enough to bring tears of pride to his Dad's eyes. His first few games were on Friday evenings, which prevented me from attending due to work. But he had one this afternoon (Sunday), so I finally got to see him play. He really has command of his game, and communicates with his teammates very well. He even scored this afternoon, too! It was quite exciting!!

Mandi and I attended her sister's wedding in Florida this past weekend. It was amazing. Seriously. We flew out of Omaha early Saturday morning, and it was blowing, snowing, and cold. When we landed on Marco Island, Florida, it was 86 degrees, sunny, and wonderful! We spend three days at Marco Beach Ocean Resort, and made the absolute most of our time. We went on a excursion to see dolphins and hunt for sea shells, spent lots and lots of time on the beach, went on a private cruise into the gulf to watch the sunset, then enjoyed a fancy dinner and drinks after the wedding itself. An incredible time we won't soon forget, and I will post pictures very soon.

And finally, you had to know this was coming. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Huskers officially kicked off the Bo Pelini era with their annual Red-White Spring Game this weekend. It was only the second time in NCAA history that a Spring game has been sold out. 82,000+ packed the old stadium to cheer on the...uh...er...Big Red, and, um, Big White, I guess. Anyway, so it was just a practice. If you don't know anything about Husker Football, I can't possibly expect you to understand. It's exciting. Anticipation is once again very high, and lots of folks are hoping the new coaching staff will usher in some good old fashioned Nebraska-style smash-mouth football.

Well, that's mostly it. I've had a few other events dotted in and amongst what I have listed above. Definitely enough to keep me very busy. I will leave you with this - I briefly mentioned in the past a new adventure I have begun. I am growing more and more passionate about this adventure with each passing day. I am going to do a full write-up on it in my next post, which will be in the next few days, and I can't wait to tell you about it. Until then, peace.