A LITTLE LESS BRIGHTER...

It has been a month since my trip to Colorado, I climbed and conquered a peak that literally took my breath away.
I’ve sat here wanting to share the lessons I learned on the side of a peak within the Rocky Mountain range, I wanted to convey the strength that overcame me as I made my way over the ridge. I wanted you to know that your limits are only limited by what is in your heart and mind. But I couldn’t.
I couldn’t muster within me to sit and write about how that mountain changed my life. How reaching my limits and determining I will accomplish this climb, and doing it gave me the confidence I needed to know I can make things happen in my life. But I couldn’t make myself write. I hate not being able to write…


…I can write now. But it isn’t to tell you to reach within and discover your potential. It isn’t to talk about the peak and self doubt I conquered. It is to admonish you to take time for family and those you love.
…last night I found out I lost my grandfather. I truly shouldn’t be surprised. He was 84, since my grandmother’s passing seven years ago, he hasn’t been the same. The trips out to the lake house became fewer, the childish escapades on the jet skis disappeared, the spring in his step was not as spry.
…It doesn’t change how much I miss him. It doesn’t change how I regret that I didn’t get out to see him this summer in AZ. It doesn’t change how much I miss him now that I don’t have him anymore.

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…my grandfather was more than just my grandfather, he was my inspiration. He was the one who pushed me to open the clinic. He was my family’s first entrepreneur
He never worked for anyone. Owning rental properties and a string of pizza restaurants and bowling alley’s, earned him the right to own lake property in the same neighborhood as owner of Haribo and Johnson and Johnson. He worked his butt off to make his life better for me and my brother. He taught me the merit of hard work and perseverance.
I could write for hours about the life and lessons my grandpa taught me, but I fear they truly only mean something to me. What I want to share with you is, it wasn’t the mountain that taught me  that there is great potential and strength inside myself, it was my grandpa Wright. It wasn’t the mountain that motivated me to do great things…it was my grandpa. The peak reminded me of the greatness and potential HE saw in me.
I couldn’t write about about the power of the peak because the peak was just a symbol of the impact my grandpa had on my life.
I want to admonish and press upon you to take time. Take time for those you love and love you. We never really know when they will leave this world and leave a void in our hearts. Life is meant to be lived and we are meant to leave an impact on those around us. Take a lesson from my life….
There is always time to earn an education, there is always time to make more money, but there isn’t enough time to make memories and share the moments in our life with those we love.
I was blessed to know, be loved, and mentored by the silliest man I know. He taught me to find beauty in the little things, laugh as often as possible, and smile, smile even when you don’t feel like you can smile…because that smile will brighten the life of another person.
My life is richer because of my grandpa…this world is a little less comforting because he is not gone….
As always….Be passionate…Take action….

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