ROAD WARRIOR

While I was at Syracuse for Parents' Weekend, Cate was away another weekend with her travel soccer team - her second weekend trip to another state in two weeks. I was fortunate to join her with Kathleen last weekend as we traveled to Milwaukee and then Madison.

We were able to catch up to one of my good friends from med school, who lives in Milwaukee, and then it was on to a weekend of soccer!

Cate's team won the first game 3-2, coming back from two goals down. In the second game, we again went down but fought back an tied it up for a 1-1 draw.

More than just watching Cate's exploits on the field, I enjoy spending time with her and seeing new things. I realize she will be gone from our house in just three years, and I want to take in as much time as I can with her until then. 

I have seen with Nicholas just how quickly time flies, and before they both fly the coup, I will try to drink up every minute we have together. Life is a sweet gift, but it is until further notice.

51

Earlier this month, I celebrated another milestone - my fifty-first birthday. I am not one to think too deeply about birthdays or aging, but it is hard not to at my age!

In thinking about the 51 years I have spent on this earth, I am struck by how lucky I have been and what a wonderful life I have been blessed with.  My dream of being a doctor came true. I have been able to have the career I always dreamed of as an academic physician. My parents are both still well, and I get along with both of them. I love my siblings, and I have a wonderful wife and children, who are incredibly talented and who are growing into remarkable young adults.

I have been able to weather personal and physical challenges and am still able to get up each day and go for a run without limitation or discomfort and clear my mind. Because of my job and the people in my life, I have a better appreciation for the beauty of nature and the everyday kindnesses that are easy to take for granted.

Altogether, I feel very fortunate to have had the life I have had. I do not know when my last day will come. Let's hope it is not for a while! However, if it comes tomorrow, I will die knowing that I have been blessed by so many amazing people, places, and opportunities. I will try to remember this truth everyday - and not just around birthdays - and to appreciate all I have to be thankful for. 

PARENTS' WEEKEND

I was fortunate to visit Nicholas this weekend for Syracuse Parents' Weekend! It had been a little over a month since he left for school, so it was so nice to see him again and catch up in his environment.

Like last year, he stayed in my hotel with me for the weekend, and we took in the sites and tastes of Syracuse. 

We even saw a football game, in which Syracuse blew away Holy Cross! Go 'Cuse!

More than the wonderful food and sites, I enjoyed spending quality time with Nicholas most of all. It is hard to believe he is 19 years old and that he has navigated his first 13 months of college so well. That is a testament to his focus, character, and maturity. I know I was much less mature than him at his age, and I am not sure what has made him so wise beyond his years.

As we spent time together, I was struck by just how grateful I am to have the amazing family that I do. In the end, what more is there in life than time and experiences and expressions of love with the people we care about. In so many ways, that is the lesson that life has revealed to me over and over again, and I will try to remember that virtue the next time I feel cynical or down about the state of the world or about my life. 

I cannot imagine anything more important than seeing my kids grow into the people they will become and supporting them through their ups and downs. My parents have always been that source of support for me, and I feel privileged that my kids might think of me in the same way. 

Nicholas will be back home on fall break in two weeks. Until then, I will fondly recall the memories of this past weekend with my guy. You are one of my favorite people in the world, son, and I am so lucky to be your dad.

STATE OF MINN

This weekend, Kathleen, Cate, and I traveled to Minnesota (MN for short) for the Labor Day weekend. It had been a few years since I had visited, and we packed a lot in to a long weekend.

On the first day, we went to the State Fair. It was packed, and we took in al the sights and sampled a variety of fair fair! I even bought a Harris-Walz t-shirt!

We visited with some of Kathleen's old friends and went to a nice farmers' market in Minneapolis the next day followed by a tour of Kathleen's alma mater, Macalester College in St. Paul. We feasted on some decadent cakes and then headed back to her sister's house for some games!

Today, we enjoyed a barbecue with family before heading to the airport.

I was struck most of all by just how nice people are in Minnesota - noticeably nice than in Michigan, which definitely has an edge to it! Minneapolis is also dramatically bigger than Ann Arbor, though that also means big city problems. Nonetheless, this was a trip to remember. Minnesota Nice is the word I would use for it!