A Man and His Mower

I've got to catch up a bit. Here are some thoughts from more than a week ago until now.

The springtime has brought so much to our lives lately. I got out the mower for the first time in ages because of the gentle and not-so-gentle rains that recently passed over. That, combined with some very gorgeous weather has sparked up a growth spurt at this start of this spring season. As I made the usual trek around the yard with my trusty red push lawnmower, several things went through my head, the most memorable of which was the meaning of manhood.

I came to the realization of being a man means so much more than having the wife, the house, the life of a mature... "boy." I think there are so many areas of consideration - being a man of respect toward others; being a man of knowledge and opinion; being a man of conviction; being honest and humble. For some reason, boys are always looking forward to becoming a man. But (recalling from my own experience of growing up and being a boy who longed for manhood), boys often times miss the entire meaning of becoming a man as just being able to grow facial hair, wearing bigger shoes, and making a family (and the acts that go along with that!) It makes me think of when I have children and the lessons that I believe I can pass along to them. If I have boys, I'm not sure they'll ever quite understand this lesson until they find it on their own. But when they do, it will be amazing. It will be the day they find the backyard a bit too overgrown, the sky a little too blue, and life a little too perfect. It's exactly how I found that day last week.

In other news, we got to judge two wine events last weekend. It was a lot of fun. I was invited to Triple R Ranch near Whitesboro for a blending competition, and then later on that day I was invited to a Celebrity Wine Judging in Grapevine. The event included a stay at the Gaylord Texan, a wonderful steak dinner, and of course a judging of 14 wines (7 red/7 white). We were so delighted to take part in both of these tastings. We have really gotten in to the wine scene of North Texas, and it's just a great way to make new connections, friends and show how much we love to drink wine!

We are looking at some possibly new, possibly exciting new adventures. Who knows what will happen, but I have come to the conclusion that life is just so neat. With the windows open in our home, the air around here right now is so fresh. It's a time to remember how lucky I truly am. The love inside this house is bursting. I am so lucky to have my wife, and my two dogs. Our recent trip to New York City reminded me of how awesome our friends our, and as I told Rachel -- it doesn't matter where your friends are; it only matters who your friends are. With many of our friends stretched across the world really, that statement has never been more true. John and Mica are in Belize; Todd and Rachel in NYC; Jesse, Mike and Anna are holding down the fort in central Texas; Princeton is in California; Janette's a quick drive to Dallas; Butler is in KC.

New adventures are always waiting for us, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with the people in my life... Sarah, my family, Sarah's family, and the family of friends we have.