Bowling & Bonding

On Saturday, January 14th, my oldest son Isaiah and I took part in the Oklahoma City Metro Chapter of the Oklahoma State Univeristy Alumni Associations Cowboys for a Cause event. The area chapter elected to support the Special Olympics of Oklahoma's bowling championships. It was my first time to volunteer with the chapter and, in hindsight, I regret not having participated in previous years!

I was planning to volunteer by myself but, the night before, I asked Isaiah if he'd like to go with me. To our surprise, he said "yes!" I was so excited to see his desire to get up and about and go with me but it also introduced some doubt... he's not a morning person at all and being introduced to and interacting with strangers is not necessarily his thing. 

The alarm went off early the morning of the event and there he was. He was eager to go and hang out with me for the day. I had to prod him a bit to be on time with a totally unhealthy breakfast but we made it to the bowling alley and he dutifully followed me inside to the volunteer registration area. For the next three hours, he stayed by my side, cheering on the athletes and serving as my deputy score keeper. I couldn't have been prouder of his demeanor and willingness to take part.

That morning was important for us. Isaiah conquered his own doubts and insecurities by meeting strangers and chatting with some of his dad's old friends. He mustered his courage and held a conversation with Dr. Ann Caine, our new president for the Association. It was my first time to meet her too so I could't prep the conversation with some "did you know's?" I even noticed him wandering over to Pistol Pete and sneaking a high-five.

Isaiah is a special olympics athlete. He will be competing in May at the state games in Stillwater. He was excited to do that even before the day of volunteering but he left the event even more excited about competing with others and taking part in the Special Olympics experience. 

Milestone events like our experience a couple of weekends back are important. In the not-too-distant future, Isaiah will leave our home and start his walk of independence. I truly appreciate the Alumni Association for letting us take part and am joyful for experiences like this with my children. Parenting introduces what feels like way too many setbacks but when the positive experiences come, they are worthy of celebration.

This week, it's my hope that you will experience a moment of togetherness and a sense of accomplishment in the presence of a loved one.

Three Breakfasts and a Lunch

 

Dang it, I’m not getting it done. Despite my very best intentions, I find myself a full week plus behind on publishing. I’ll get better. I appreciate those who prod me to get going. It’s what a network of friends is all about. The fellowship is wonderful and the shared experiences memorable. However, the accountability factor and constant encouragement to complete a commitment is highly valued.

Wednesday was quite the day. Completely lost control of my scheduling … three breakfast meetings, a lunch, a dinner, and a night in Stillwater for Bedlam basketball. That’s not counting the other obligations that filled my day.

However, as I thought about the Thursday following, I wasn’t the least bit fatigued; rather, I was upbeat and energetic and ready for the next flurry of activity. And appreciative of the day before me. Maybe not fond of the calories consumed in all those “meal meetings” but content to know I got to hang out with some people that I really admire, appreciate, and value.

A decade ago, it seemed like a rhythm like this was par for the course. I evaluated my success by the filled meeting blocks on my calendar. Busyness was seen as an attribute.

That’s different today. One of the lessons I’ve learned (after several mentors bludgeoning me over the head) was that more was not better. That to successfully compete for the long-haul, one had to find time for relaxation, visioning and reflection. I’m still not good at it but getting better.

Look at my calendar monthly view now and you’ll find full days with no obligations. Simply opportunities to recharge and reorient. On occasion, it still seems counterintuitive to me that I can accomplish more by “doing less,” but it’s proving to be very true.

One of my favorite verses from the Old Testament is Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” I think there’s so much merit in that admonition and I’m learning to appreciate it more every day. Stillness and confidence in recharging are an attribute to be pursued. Just as some of you have done in terms of my blogging enterprise, I hope you will hold me accountable for moments of stillness and contemplation.

Pizza & Friendships

Over the last couple of years, Lisa and I have really focused on broadening our leisure time, hopefully as a prelude to what life might look like when we reach retirement or semi-retirement. I hope to use this space to document favorite activities and places visited.  Sometimes my posts might be strictly reviews but in other cases, like today’s, there will also be lessons learned I want to share.

In the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), Lisa and I wandered up to Excelsior Springs, Missouri, for a 4^th of July getaway. We stayed at the historic Elms Hotel and had a great time hitting some local wineries and dining spots. However, it was the final visit on our trip that has lingered with us for the past 30 months… a trip to Van Till Family Farm Winery in the small town of Rayville, MO. Driving to the property one could easily convince themselves that they were lost but after many hills and curves on the highway, we found ourselves visiting the most delightful establishment. It would be easy to say if you’re in the area drop in but that would be a stretch. I don’t think you’d just happen by the vineyard. Let me rephrase things and say that a specific trip to visit the winery is highly recommended; don’t just rely on being in the neighborhood. Plan to get yourself there (and visit dozens of other nice wineries in the Missouri area).

The Van Till property is beautiful and the wines of good quality. However, what caught our attention the most was the brick pizza oven built into their tasting patio and the owner’s friendliness in visiting with patrons about his vision for the property and why he left California to open his shop in rural Missouri. He attentively participated in multiple conversations as he churned out brick oven pizza after brick oven pizza. The pizzas were incredible, but the evening of fellowship, storytelling and friend making were the absolute best. We found ourselves engaging in conversation with others enjoying the evening … people we had never met and will likely never interact with again.

Fast forward to Christmas 2022 and what appears under my tree as a gift from Lisa but my very own Bertello pizza oven! I’m hoping it’s a gift with foreshadowing because we’ve both talked about how cool it’d be to replicate the Van Till experience in our retirement years. A quick level-set… I’ve got a long way to go to achieve a pizza one could call delicious, but I love trying. I’ve even included a couple images of my first night of pizza-making as evidence of my endeavors.

The pizza we consumed at the winery was indeed excellent. The enjoyment though went beyond great food.  What made that evening in the summer of 2020 so special was not the pizza or the wine specifically. It was the fellowship and camaraderie of sharing life with others.  It was the act of making new friends and listening to great stories and experiences.

I’m forever grateful that we found Van Till Family Farm Winery. At some point we’ll return. But the lessons learned are still with us in Oklahoma City. I can’t promise you a great pizza, but I’ll give it my best if you’re ever interested in hanging out and chatting. Enjoying ommunity is when we are our best.