Categories
Life

Chapter 4 – Falling In Love

The first few ultrasound appointments were so exciting. Getting to see those little babies squirming around in their momma’s belly was truly miraculous.

Then came the gender reveal. I had a hunch, and I was right – a boy and a girl!! Brooke and I fell in love with those cute little black and white ultrasound blobs immediately.

We started kicking around a few different names. I’ve always loved the name Brittany for a girl, but my wife vetoed that one almost immediately. We have both always really liked the name Bo for a boy.

The next ultrasound was equal parts excitement, elation, hope, joy, and anxiety. Our little girl, aka “Baby B,” was not growing as fast as our little boy, aka “Baby A.” But, both of their sweet little hearts were beating loud and clear.

They were so cute snuggling in Momma’s belly. Their heads were always right beside each other!

When I heard about the growth discrepancies, I began to worry. Feelings of fear and despair began to grow deep within my core. I’m sure every father of a little girl experiences this at some point in their life.

I’m talking about the fear that something might be wrong – my little girl might be in danger – and I‘m helplessly unable to protect her.

I never once worried about our little boy. My gut told me he would be just fine. But that darling little baby girl had me in knots…

Categories
Business

Chapter 2 – Risky Business

Some people are risk-takers. Some are risk-averse. I’m somewhere in between I guess. I take risks, but only after lengthy deliberation and precise calculation.

Sure, I took a risk leaving my home state of UT at the impressionable young age of 23. But this was after a nice long deliberation period. A six year deliberation period to be exact. And during those six years, I managed to get a couple very useful college degrees (precise calculation). I was ready for an adventure!

Fast forward 16 years – married to a smoking hot wife. One beautiful son and one more in the oven. Living rent free in an investment property that pays for itself. Two cars bought and paid for. A boat. I guess you could say we were pretty comfortable. But here’s the thing about comfort. It‘s boring!

If you stay in your comfort zone for too long, you start to slip. You lose a step. You get fat (at least I do). You lose your edge.

This guy gets it!

So naturally, right when things got super comfortable, we decided to risk everything and head home. We sold our duplex, sold most of our shit, packed up a Uhaul, and it was “Wagon’s East!”

We didn’t really have a calculated plan, but we knew we’d have plenty of help. First stop – Kenilworth. You’ve probably never heard of it. It’s an old coal mining town with a population of about 400. Kenilworth is a stunningly beautiful place. It also happens to be where my parents live. They graciously invited us to stay at their place while we sorted things out.

Things were looking pretty good. There we were, together as a family, with Grandpa and Grandma helping us out. We were surrounded with love, sunshine, and laughter.

How could we have prepared for what happened next? How could we have known…

Categories
Life

Chapter 1 – False. Evidence. Appearing. Real.

FEAR. It may be the single most destructive human emotion in existence. How many times a day does fear creep in? Are we even aware of its presence, or does it just live inside us like a parasite slowly consuming its host with each tick of the clock. Who put it there, and why? Who propagates it, and for what purpose? Can the battle with fear ever be won?

At some point, we all come face to face with our own worst fears. I’m reminded of the scene where Yoda sends Luke into the cave to face his fears.

“What is in the cave, Yoda?”
“Only what you take with you.”

Many of us spend our lives running and hiding from our fears. Luke is forced to confront his worst fears in order to grow and become the warrior he is meant to be. What was the risk involved? What did Luke have to lose?

Nothing you nerds, it’s only a movie!

Seriously though, what would happen if we decided to confront our fears? What’s really at stake when you decide to take those risks?

I’ll tell you what I risked in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!