I've had the most challenging and amazing past year and have finally found time to reflect on the facts of this year.
January 2, 2009 the most amazing little boy was born in Davenport. I learned (2) things on this day. I learned an entirely new appreciation for my beautiful wife. The day I met her I knew I needed to be with her. The day she had our child I knew I needed to learn from her. She had spent the previous (9) months reading every book that Borders could offer her on how to raise the perfect little baby. She talked to her midwives and my mother, as well as hers to gain their wisdom/experience. I am still in awe with the way she took all of the information in and used it to develop her own great ideas about preparing for, having, and taking care of our new little guy.
The second thing I learned this day was concern for someone else, more than myself. I felt love the first moment I saw Braden, but more importantly I felt significant. I believe I was guilty of concern for myself above others and wouldn't say I'm proud of this. But, the day I laid eyes on Brady for the first time I knew that he needed me and his mom. Needless to say this was a great feeling.
As always I get a blessing and I start looking for how to make it better. It was a couple short months after Braden was born that the opportunity we had hoped for presented itself. A business position in the Chicago metropolitan market doing what I had been doing for (3) years. After much discussion between Amanda and I, we decided to go for it. The opportunity came together and before we knew it our house was up for rent and we were moving to a (2) bedroom apartment in Lincoln Park.
At risk of dragging on I could sum things up for the next few months.
Unimportant:
1. 2 bedroom apartment in Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL.
2. City viewing, park fun, beach fun, restaurant experiences, shopping, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, etc....
3. Work stress, new middle boss, new upper boss, competition like I've never experienced in my own workplace, new boss again.
Important:
1. City viewing, park fun, beach fun, restaurant expereinces WITH BRADEN/AMANDA...(occasionally)
2. New boss moves me from downtown office to suburb office and sales territory is no longer downtown Chicago.
Basically what I am getting at with these lists is the fact that I gained appreciation again. I learned that work is what I do and not who I am. I learned that not only does my child need me, but he wants to be with me and his mom. I learned that no matter how much money I make and how many hours I work, my wife only wants me around and my boss doesn't care how much I work (assuming I hit numbers either way).
While writing today I am 26 years old with a wife, child, dog, mortgage, car/student loans, debt and more love than I could have ever imagined. There are bumps in the road that will not be fun to cross, but the joy that is ahead makes me excited for the journey.
Merry christmas and a happy new year and wish us luck for things to come.
