|
As we near the end of another year, it has me thinking about what we have accomplished and what is in the future for our family. Les and I have a nice little outside living room, our "thinking" garden, where we ponder our life and where most of our deep discussions take place. Tonight's discussion revolved around the idea of "success". What is it? How do you define it? Is it different for everyone? I think it is. For instance, in my family, I often feel that my older brother is held out as a model of success. He graduated from University (the only one of us three children who did), has a beautiful wife, three great sons who are good students, athletic, musical (they get mostly 'A's, are in hockey, band, and play guitar). He owns his own home and I believe his own business, if he hasn't gone back to working for the BC Gov't. Successful, handsome....I love him but it's hard to live up to that definition of success. As for me? I married a firewood cutting logger, who has through our lives together, been a daffodil picker, ice packer, ceramic pourer, roof painter, forest fire fighter, shake cutter, driving school instructor, notary public, court reporter, office manager, high school teacher, pastor and a wedding minister. I have probably even missed a few careers in there. We have lived in 3 different cities, 4 different villages, 1 province, 1 state, 2 islands, and more homes than I can keep track of. Over our 26 year marriage we have lived in apartments, trailers, beautiful wood homes and some not so beautiful. Our family has moved half way across the world and have survived 3 major typhoons and several minor ones, not to mention countless earthquakes. We have birthed 9 children and seen 4 enter into the arms of their Savior Jesus. And yet still we are here. Together. Happy. Enjoying life together. And looking forward to another 45 (God willing) more. Are we successful? Maybe. In a way we are. Life has been fun. We can look back at so many great memories. And even the not so great ones helped bond our family closer together. Life has been an adventure for sure. Not everyone in the world can say they got to live on a tropical beach. Or that they got to climb a mountain and camp beside a stream where bears walked by less than 5 feet from your shelter. Or to have seen the Great Salt Lake and helped bag sand bags to stop the great floods of SLC in 1982. Or to have driven the coast of Oregon with a newborn baby. Whether it has been here on Guam, in Canada or in Salt Lake City, my life with Les has been well worth it. An adventure. If my children grow up and have their own adventures then I believe they will have reached success. It doesn't take a school or a degree to do this. It is living life and wondering at the glory of His Creation. And remembering that Life is an Adventure. Live it well. |
Comments
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by PamLa
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by
|
|
|
|
|