The Bridge

For whatever reason, the afternoon of August 1st, 2007 was maddening. I don't remember if the kids were being unruly, or if I had had a trying day at the office. I just remember being frustrated.

Then my mom called.

"Turn on the news!" were the first words out of her mouth.
"Why?" I answered back.
"Just turn it on." And so I did.

And so I stood in front of the television, dumbfounded at what I was watching. The whole bridge is in the water? All those cars? All those people?

Oh my God.

My oldest son was standing next to me watching the TV coverage and I slowly realized something....

Both he and my parents had been on that bridge that very morning. Oh my God again.

I won't pretend to know what it was like to experience what so many people experienced on that day. I hope that I never have to face a destiny like that, but who knows. 13 people lost their lives that day, many more injured physically, mentally, and spiritually.

In my selfish world I wonder what could have been.

This is what $10/gallon of gas looks like

I'm no tree hugger. Anyone who knows me will tell you that. But if you think $4/gallon sucks here is what $10/gallon looks like. Think about what you drive and how you drive. Just sayin.

Amsterdam Epilogue

I've been back for a few days now. My last couple of days were hectic but it was nice jumping on that bird back across the pond. The funny thing is that this was the first time that I had flown westbound over the Atlantic on a full airplane. Usually there are only a couple of us onboard.

When I arrived back in MSP I felt as if I had been gone for half a lifetime. For one the temperature was close to 90 degrees and I was driving a car that didn't have a clutch pedal. And I noticed how big American vehicles really are.

By the way, my family was really glad to see me.

So what have I learned from this experience? I've learned that time alone isn't a bad thing. I also know that people miss me when I'm gone. Selfish I know but that's something important to me. So what else?.....

Children grow up faster when you are gone. At least there hair does.

I appreciate home, but I also appreciate the rest of the world.

So would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I look forward to the opportunity.