Fall is a very nostalgic time. There are strong memories of going off to elementary school in my stiff new blue jeans and white shoes with a trapper-keeper under my arm. When I left for college I was terribly homesick and cherished coming home on fall Sundays to get a big dose of home that was so satisfying and comforting. The game of football plays a big part in my nostalgia of fall. As the high school and college seasons start to wind down and as Thanksgiving approaches each year, I begin to explore the things I’ve learned and the things I’m thankful for. Here are a few.
Time. It is one of those mysterious things, but time keeps slipping by. 3 of my 4 kids are in high school this year, and by golly, I just can’t believe I’m that parent! I’m perpetually astonished that I keep getting older. I am closer to 60 than I am to 35, and I take great pleasure in knowing that things just keep getting better in life. According to clients, each decade is better than the last all the way up to your 70’s, then it depends on your health. My father passed away at the tender age of 48, so this year is a big one for me. Lesson – the future is coming sooner than you expect. I am thankful for the ordinary little moments every day that make up life, especially the moments you share with loved ones.
Kids. We have been in a bit of a time warp with kids. My wife and I witness families with young kids and fondly remember dirty diapers and food on the floor. Things have definitely changed since then. Every time I stumble over a pair of shoes at home, I just remind myself that this is the year of peak activity at our house. We start launching kids in about 9 months. For the first time, I can kind of see what the next phase looks like… and really like what I see! Lesson- each phase with kids is unique - embrace it. I am thankful for the glimpses of wisdom in our kids’ lives and the playful banter at our house, especially when they are kidding me about one of my rules. Deep down… I think they appreciate it.
Home. We own a 1960’s two-story house in West Des Moines, and we are getting to a spot in life where I can’t handle the size of the home improvement stuff anymore. The projects are getting bigger and bigger and my willingness to climb up on the roof or a tall ladder is dwindling rapidly. Windows, flooring, roofing, siding, they are all approaching the end of their useful lives. My style of home improvement has always been the ‘facelift’ variety; paint and a few new fixtures. We are in new waters now. I am thankful for our spot. It has provided our family with an oasis of nature and peace in the middle of the city. Lesson - with any luck we’ll be in this house for the next 30+ years so I suppose it is time to bite the bullet and pony up!
Thankfulness. I am thankful for many things. But what I am most thankful for are those moments that I am REMINDED to be thankful. I’ve come to really value these reminders because inevitably they reintroduce me to something good in my life. Recently I was talking to a friend about how we all seem to be doomed to repeat this ebb and flow all through our lives. Why do I need to be reminded to be thankful? He said “Aren’t you glad that you CAN be reminded?” Thank you, friend. Yes, I am glad, and THAT was a good reminder.
Here at Compass Financial we are constantly reminded that we are thankful for YOU, our clients. We are thankful that we get to share life with you and walk the highs and lows together. We are thankful that you give us the opportunity to spend time together and help you plan for the future. We are thankful for your trust, which is a deep and meaningful thing. Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving from Guy Leman and the Compass Financial Team