A Daughter's Love and a Blind Date

January 2019 Wezie and I made a conscience decision that we were going to focus our lives and energy on making memories. In the preceding 18 months I had been in the hospital 6 times, either for testing, surgery, or visiting the ER. Currently, I am doing well.

Wezie and I talked about simplifying our lives. We started planning fun adventures. We planned a spring break trip to New Orleans. We spent our 33rd wedding anniversary driving to Dallas to see Alan Doyle and Cory Tetford. We were on the right path.

March 2019 I received a text from my oldest daughter, Rebekah, that said "check your email." Rebekah was a first year teacher. She had a great deal of college debt. She was working on her teacher's certification for New Mexico. Needless to say she was overworked, underpaid, and she owed a great deal of money. Rebekah had spent the last nine years listening to my stories about the kindness and beauty of Newfoundland. She knew this was my dream holiday. The email was simple, it was a confirmation of tickets for a trip to St. John's, NL. I couldn't say anything. Tears rolled down my face. I looked towards Wezie. She smiled. She had known that Rebekah had been trying to make this happen for some time.

I now had a blind date with a province. The months leading up to my date were fast and furious. We sold our home of 22 years and downsized to an apartment. We helped Rebekah move into a new place in Santa Fe, NM. We helped Molly, our youngest child, move into a new place in St. Louis, MO. We helped George, our middle child, move into an apartment here in Fort Worth, TX. We took a family cruise to Mexico and Wezie and I flew to Central Pennsylvania to check on her parents. This past spring and summer have been incredible. My life has been changed by prioritizing what is truly important, appreciating each and every day as a gift.

Next week I will greet my students: "Congratulations, this morning when you woke, you became one day closer to death." I will go on to say, "Once you realize this and truly believe it, you will not waste your time and energy. you will focus on what is important in your life."

My blind date was WICKED, not only did she have a great personality she was also beautiful. She helped me make some very special memories. Our courtship continues with daily interactions on Twitter. I hope to have a second date in the future.

Blessings of Peace and Love to ALL.