Inspirational Speaker Tim Richardson writes…

Today was an AWESOME day. I slept like a baby with the windows open and woke up to a quiet cabin in Pomona Park, FL. I slipped out the door and was soon joined by my son on the dock. We watched the morning unfold and listened to the sounds of night become more and more faint until they left with the dark sky. Then the fun started. The Master Craft ski boat roared to life and I watched with pride as my son learned to ski.  As much as I had wanted to be the one to teach him, it didn’t happen after many attempts in the summer of 2007. Just because you can do something with a certain level of competence doesn’t necessarily mean you have the skills (or patience) to be a great instructor. It seemed fitting though that the same person who taught me to ski many years ago also taught my son. Later as we drove away from the lake, we talked about how cool it would be if he also taught my son’s son. Though my daughter didn’t learn as I had hoped, she is now more motivated and wants to learn when the water is warmer (we have “booked” both older kids in the Bill Walter Water Ski Camp for two sessions in 2008!)We spent the day on the lake, eating breakfast and lunch outside. My heart pined for my native Florida as we rode in the boat and even jumped in the lake without wetsuits. After a picture perfect day, we drove to Daytona Beach, my old high school stomping grounds. The most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen stretched from the north end of Daytona to the south. We met my best friend Roger at his parents house and enjoyed a fabulous dinner. My 11 year old cast a line out on the dock, behind Rogers parents home, and caught the biggest fish he’s ever caught. I caught up with Rogers parents as Roger helped my son fish. I heard Rogers parents talk about the day they met (Friday the 13th in 1947). They told of their first date. They also described dancing all night while the band at Chicago’s Glass Slipper tried to play a music for which they didn’t know a dance. We sat outside and watched the night sky until what seemed like forever. Then I relented on my decade ban on Krispy Kreme doughnuts and ate right by the HOT sign with my kids thinking ‘”dad has lost it and we LOVE it!”. Now it’s lights out and I feel a sugar induced coma coming on! Â