Kelly's Memorial Reception

I must say that this was a truly wonderful experience. Strangely, wonderful is not always associated with easy though as this was not an easy day in my own life as well as many others. If you were there though you could definitely feel there was something in the air. Obviously, there was love and music, but most important there was a feeling of one big family. A family that I'm blessed to be a member of. If there is anything I can share with you from this experience is to cherish every moment of life. I know that sounds a bit cliche or cheesy, but it is so true. I sometimes find it challenging to ensure that I'm living life to the fullest. I think all of us can relate to times where we feel guilty for the fear we are not living life to the fullest. For me, I sit in front of a television or sleep in til' noon on a perfectly good saturday morning. When I stop and think, or wake up I think sometimes, man I just took it for granted right there. But, I've figured out through this experience in loosing my father that those things are o.k. as long as you are doing them to the fullest. Basically, be where you are at. Live in the moment and don't regret anything that you are doing. If I lost you there here is an analogy to clear things up.

Climbing Mt. Everest is a very cool thing to some people (but only if you enjoy climbing mountains) some people don't enjoy that stuff so for them to do it, YES, they are not living life to the fullest.

The point is doing things that are considered "cool" by others is taking life for greanted. Doing the things that YOU think are "cool" and enjoy doing is living life to the fullest.

Remember: LIFE IS A GARDEN...DIG IT!!!

My 3 rules for life:

1) Embrace Challenge
2) Cross bridges when you get to them
3) Play your tune, even if its a little off key.

PS - I was decided today that I should have minored in Theology :)

One of My Favorite Kelly Pics

I really love this picture of Kelly because of his wonderful smerk, it reveals so much about his character that maybe not everyone knows. Everyone knows Kelly is a very fun, personable kind of guy, "Get To Know Me", as he would always jokingly say. But, what you may not know is how wise and relaxing Kelly was to be around. He is such a cool, calm, and collected guy. This picture really shows how nothing could really beat an morning after breakfast at the River Side Cafe just talking about and enjoying life. If there is anything we can learn from him is how to enjoy life. He never missed a day of it :)

When I met Kelly... PLUHhhhh story :)

This is such a cool picture. This picture had to have been taken around the time that I first met Kelly. For those of you who don't know, Kelly is my step father, and this is the story of one of the first times I was ever at his house. As you can tell from the pic he was a cool bachelor dude and kept his place pretty nice and tidy. Well, I would have been 5 or 6 at this time and was just playing innocently enough in the bedroom while my mom and Kelly watched a movie in the den. As I was playing I started feeling a bit sick, so like any 6 year old I started to run to my mother to tell her. So I took off on a sprint down the hallway towards the den (passing the bathroom along the way) and as soon as I got to the den, i said, "I think I'm going to be si.....ck PLUHhhhhhhh!!!" I threw up all over the floor. LOL. I just remember Kelly wondering why I ran past the bathroom to them, instead of throwing up in the toilet. He must have really like my mom, cause we were obviously invited back again afterwards:)

The Vagabond Night

This was a great night with Kelly. We kept trying to take pictures of out coasters as we tossed them up in the air. Sounds juvenile and EASY, but the catch was that the camera has about a 3 or 4 second delay. So the timing issue made for some good drinking game entertainment.

The Purpose of the Blog

The purpose of this blog is for me have a place to write my thoughts and memories of my father Kelly. This way I can access pictures of him from anywhere and read my own words later about the thoughts, feelings, and memories I have from here on out. This blog is public so the many people who know and love Kelly can read and add too it if they feel like it. Basically this will serve as an electronic journal for me that friends and family are welcome to interact with. I love you all very much and will always look forward to sharing stories about my father. I love you Kelly.

- Dustin