💗🙏🏼 Choosing Kindness ...and other Lessons from my future Father-in-Law
(+🍫✊ the S'mores Revolution)
I just spent a week in Grand Lake, CO with Lisa and my future in-laws.
I had moments when I checked in online, but tried my best to ignore the world-at-large to focus on the land and people around me.
I also got to witness and celebrate Lisa’s dad’s 80th birthday.
Lisa made a bound book out of the MANY Denny-appreciation letters of appreciation that people sent to her.
Most of his career was as a High School Associate Principal and golf coach.
But the talent he has mastered is of giving recognition and making people feel welcome.
He created and gave out “Winner’s Circle” awards for student academics, athletes, and artists..for YEARS.
He chats up strangers wherever he goes.
It boggles my mind to consider how many people have tasted a little of his sweetness over the last 8 decades.
He is a gentle, beautiful man.
And it was a true pleasure to witness the love he is reaping from a lifetime of sowing kindness.
Being with him reminded me of spending time with my Grandpa Caleb.
And it made me think a lot about the Men’s Groups I’m in.
The world that Denny has lived in is much different than the one that lies ahead for us.
But still, I have to believe that no matter what is happening around us, we have lots to learn from Denny.
It takes work to choose kindness.
To choose optimism.
To continue to see the best in people.
To resist bitterness.
Over and over and over.
Day after day after day.
Thank you all for helping me remember what matters.
Love,
John
CO photos by April Ellis
BONUS for people who scrolled to the end:
Sneak peek at my new S’mores-based startup!
