Day 1461 – Grayson’s Journey

Hello again old and loyal friends!

It has been a LONG time since I last posted.

Today is the fourth anniversary of Grayson’s injury. Grayson continues is his existing state – not much change from month to month. Each day is different depending on whatever magic invades his brain that day. He is happy and comfortable and every morning is a gift! We are looking forward to snow in Mammoth and hope for a prolific ski season this year!

Life has been full, busy and eventful. While things are calm and stable with Grayson and our new life with him, life by its very nature presents new and exciting opportunities at every turn. As we entered 2013, I expected “more of the same” and not much change in 2013. God has a way of adjusting our expectations!

After 36 years and 8 days of working for the Boeing Company, the successor of the space business of Hughes Aircraft, I have retired effective October 25^th. Now 3 weeks later, it still seems a bit unreal – especially considering the crazy and exciting special assignment I was working up until the last. That special assignment gave me the opportunity to visit and speak with friends and colleagues from all over the country – St Louis, Philadelphia, Houston, Huntsville, Phoenix, Seattle and Southern California. What a wonderful capstone to a career!

I’m writing this at 39,000 feet above mean sea level, and we are just passing over New Orleans. Regina and I are on our way to Miami where we will be embarking on a 7-day cruise to celebrate our 30^th anniversary. I can hardly believe that 30 years have passed since that joyful day in 1983 when we were married. Wasn’t it only yesterday that we had our honeymoon? And that trip to Europe? And brought Grayson home from the hospital? And Austin? And Lauren? Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts? Confirmation? High School graduations? Wow! What happened to the time? One thing is certain as I watch my beautiful wife lay sleeping peacefully here beside me on the plane – our love endures and continues to grow. I’m not sure that I ever could have expected to have been so fortunate to have experienced the gifts of joy that come from a life of faithfulness to a woman that I love so dearly.

I sign off now over the Gulf of Mexico leaving you with a special public thanks to Lauren, our primary back-up, as well as Zack, Rita, Austin and Xixi, for all of their help in enabling our anniversary voyage – a gift beyond belief!

Pax!

Brant