I am sitting in the airport in Santa Ana (aka, hell) after a busy week training my replacement at....well that place I used to work. Kind of makes one sit and think about things. The first year living here was pretty good. We made a few good friends and life seemed to be ok. Then ALL of those friends moved away, the church we found didn't really seem like home anymore, and I felt terribly alone. I spent the next two years pretty much bitching about everything. I decided we lived in hell and I'd never like it. But slowly it got better. And I didn't even notice because I was so busy telling myself I hated everything. I made new friends, we found a new church, and still, blah, blah, blah...the negativity.
Now, we're gone. This is my last hoorah at...that place I used to work. I realize that despite all the crap, I really did enjoy working there. I feel like I made a big contribution to the company, I met some fantastic people (and a few clunkers) but all in all, it was good. AND I DIDN'T NOTICE.
So for all of you out there in "hell", I apologize for not recognizing how wonderful you are, how much fun I had working and playing with you. I know it now, because I miss it. So the old adage about not knowing what you have until it's gone is Totally True.
New resolution, look for the good things and deal with the bad. I am now anxiously awaiting the Great things that are in store for us in this next chapter. And I'll try to recognize them as great in the moment, instead of in hindsight.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Good vs. Evil
We took the wagon train (aka the car) to Tombstone yesterday. It was a beautiful drive. The kids were arguing over whether the land was burnt, just dead, or in the shadows from clouds. It's still a mystery, but I'm thinking all of the above. Weird sticks growing out of small palm trees, other trees with bark as dark as soot, yet a hint of green on top, dead grass, beautiful "mountains" surrounding us. Fun times.
So, you tell me, Wyatt Earp, good guy or bad. After a day in Tombstone, I'm not really sure. I think it is the quintessential example of the line between good and evil being very narrow. All the western movies and folk lore show him as a lawman bringing peace to a wild town. But, some of the stories in Tombstone say there might have been more to the story. A lust for power, a grudge that needed settled. Were the Claytons ambused at the OK coral, or did the Earps defend themselves. Don't think I've got that one sorted out in my mind yet. But, it was a fun day of gun fights, saloons, and graveyards with stones that read like this "Lester Moore, 4 slugs from a 44, no less, no more." When we got home we rented the movie "Tombstone" to get the Hollywood perspective on the story (always correct I know.) Megan said, that hearing the story 4 or 5 different ways, kind of bored her. But they were all good sports.
I think today, the line is still pretty blurred. We've found that you can find some "evil" people at your local church, and some "good" people at the local bar. It's weird to me, how narrow minded and closed off we can become (myself included.) Our recent experiences have helped me realize, we need to be on the lookout for both (good and evil) no matter where we are. We need to actively search for the good in the world, and all the while, be vigilent to protect ourselves and our families from the evil. Deep, I know.
Enough of all that, and on to VISITORS. My daddy is coming! I'm looking forward to visiting with him and sharing some of the local attractions (mostly cactus) with him. I love having visitors. It is weird that we've had more visitors here, than we did when we lived in CA (minutes from Disneyland with free passes.) But, I'm loving it. We had a party for Ken's staff on Friday. It was so fun getting to know all the people who work with him. They are all on the "good" side from what I could tell. I love when people can just relax and laugh and have fun. Hopefully we were able to accomplish that. You would think that someone who hates to cook and clean as much as I do, would dread having visitors, but I love it! I guess it's because I don't care if I serve Costco food in a less than spotless environment. (Though I'm nothing like the people on "Clean House." Have you seen that show? Gross!)
That's all I have time for today. If I write too much you won't read it anyway. Take care, and start planning your trip now. We're so popular, you might need a reservation. I've got some of you booked already. Dad, Melissa, Bekah, Keyli....who's next?
So, you tell me, Wyatt Earp, good guy or bad. After a day in Tombstone, I'm not really sure. I think it is the quintessential example of the line between good and evil being very narrow. All the western movies and folk lore show him as a lawman bringing peace to a wild town. But, some of the stories in Tombstone say there might have been more to the story. A lust for power, a grudge that needed settled. Were the Claytons ambused at the OK coral, or did the Earps defend themselves. Don't think I've got that one sorted out in my mind yet. But, it was a fun day of gun fights, saloons, and graveyards with stones that read like this "Lester Moore, 4 slugs from a 44, no less, no more." When we got home we rented the movie "Tombstone" to get the Hollywood perspective on the story (always correct I know.) Megan said, that hearing the story 4 or 5 different ways, kind of bored her. But they were all good sports.
I think today, the line is still pretty blurred. We've found that you can find some "evil" people at your local church, and some "good" people at the local bar. It's weird to me, how narrow minded and closed off we can become (myself included.) Our recent experiences have helped me realize, we need to be on the lookout for both (good and evil) no matter where we are. We need to actively search for the good in the world, and all the while, be vigilent to protect ourselves and our families from the evil. Deep, I know.
Enough of all that, and on to VISITORS. My daddy is coming! I'm looking forward to visiting with him and sharing some of the local attractions (mostly cactus) with him. I love having visitors. It is weird that we've had more visitors here, than we did when we lived in CA (minutes from Disneyland with free passes.) But, I'm loving it. We had a party for Ken's staff on Friday. It was so fun getting to know all the people who work with him. They are all on the "good" side from what I could tell. I love when people can just relax and laugh and have fun. Hopefully we were able to accomplish that. You would think that someone who hates to cook and clean as much as I do, would dread having visitors, but I love it! I guess it's because I don't care if I serve Costco food in a less than spotless environment. (Though I'm nothing like the people on "Clean House." Have you seen that show? Gross!)
That's all I have time for today. If I write too much you won't read it anyway. Take care, and start planning your trip now. We're so popular, you might need a reservation. I've got some of you booked already. Dad, Melissa, Bekah, Keyli....who's next?
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