American Faces #29

The wide-eyed wonderment of an almost 2 year old girl named Eden easily earned its place as an American Faces candidate. First, because I am her grandpa and second, because she is totally honest in her every reaction to the world around her and that soothes the soul. For me, these past months have not been easy ones. My dad passed away in August which leaves a huge hole to fill; maybe that hole really isn’t meant to be filled. I am okay with that. Maybe the wide-eyed joy as a little girl marvels at a tiny acorn that fell from a giant oak tree is what makes moving forward easier. I see unfettered smiles and an innocence in life that warms my heart. She hasn’t known heartbreak, struggle, or loss as you the reader has. She only knows love; the love of her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and a myriad of others who are wonderfully woven into her life. That wonderment in her eyes is what fuels a grandparent to sit and play with beads in a bowl by the hour, or sit down beside her and touch the newly treasured acorns from the day’s adventure.

Live today with a bit more wide-eyed wonderment. We all need it!

American Faces #28

The world we live in can seem like a pretty bleak place when we turn on the T.V. or read random reports on our news feeds. But our world is made a whole lot more bearable by men like Lonny Evans. Lonny is the Director of Volunteers and Outreach for Loaves and Fishes in Minnesota. His eyes light up as he talks of the impact Loaves and Fishes is making in the lives of people all over our state. There is a passion for people in each careful word he speaks. You can hear it. He knows people are not just numbers to be fed and cared for, but people like you and me who sometimes need a bit of help. As we walked around he introduced me to several volunteers – the folks who provide needed groceries and supplies to the people at each site that Loaves and Fishes serves. Lonny's smile, and his heart for people, make you feel welcome the instant you shake his hand.

Outside of work, Lonny serves as Director of Operations for the Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey (MWBH) program. He sees his role at Loaves and Fishes, and MWBH, as the C.E.O.O. – the Chief Encourager of Others and Opportunities.

May we all strive to be a C.E.O.O. like Lonny Evans and make this world a better place.

American Faces #27

Rick is the friendly Floridian face for this American Faces installment. My family and I met Rick as he guided us in kayaks through the mangrove tunnels near Anna Maria Island, Florida. This guy who has lived his whole life in the Anna Maria area knows the mangroves tunnels like the veins on the back of his tan hands, which was evident as he adroitly lead on a winding and informative trip. He is wonderfully knowledgeable about the aquatic creatures that are plentiful below the water, the small crabs that call the mangroves home, and the birds that had their wings set on the coastal breeze above the bay as we kayaked. Men like Rick are gems. We were given more than just a tour as he talked about life and how much the mangroves mean to him. The gentle strokes of the kayak paddle as he guides people through the mangroves have been a salve of sorts for this man with a salt and pepper beard. Guiding visitors is not his first vocation, he is a 61 year old retired respiratory therapist.The sights and sounds he saw in his four decades in the healthcare industry with most of those years as a respiratory therapist were not always easy. I suppose one can say the saltwater has been good for his soul.

Slowing down and taking time to paddle gave my family and me time to experience the mangroves and the serenity they have to offer. It also gave us a time to meet Rick, a man who shared a bit of his life with us on a sunny day in Anna Maria, Florida.

If you are in the mood for a kayak tour in Florida check out this link: https://www.amipaddleboard.com/