6570 days

From the time a child is entrusted to you you have 6570 days till they turn 18. During those first 18 years values are instilled, lessons taught, and memories are made.




You teach, instruct, correct, model all the things you can to teach a young boy how to become a man. The days seem to pass slowly and yet with incredible speed and along the way you take care to number them, savor them and enjoy them.



You laugh, cry and at times scratch your head. You wonder how that little tyke grew up so fast. You see them grow and look you one day in the eye and then grow taller than the parents.



The birthdays tick steadily by and the activities evolve too.
In Mike's case:
from a white belt to black belt
from green beginner slopes to black diamonds
from lil bumps on the bunny trail to a State Championship
from kindergarten to the University of FL




There are tough times along the road but they are lessons learned and they serve in the long run to make you stronger. There are people who touch your live and then pass on for Mike a few of them would be Grandma Connie, Uncle Jack and Granny and Grandpa Hale. Each in their own way left a mark on his life and are missed.


Cycling has taught him many things: discipline, perseverance, focus, laughter, and patience. It has availed him friendships that will last for a long time--- Darrell and Uncle Bob.


It has forged a strong bond with Bernice and I as well as with his brother as together we forged first from San Francisco to Salt Lake City then from Coast to Coast this time last summer.


He finished his studies at the University of Florida. He has all his licences in place for a career in Financial Planning and joined me 8 weeks ago in my practice.


By the time I write this next week he will be married to Cayce. We look forward to having her as part of our family. She is a sweet girl from a great family and we welcome her with open arms.