Reflections of Gratitude

Do you ever wake up with the idea that you have missed something? Sleep is an amazing gift, an opportunity for our bodies to heal and minds to rest. I woke up today with a reminder that another year has gone by. It is almost like my body and soul caught up with each other while on this journey.

The Psalmist teaches me “to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). I have a visual of two jars in front of me filled with seeds that represent the days I have spent and the days I have left. If I knew how many days I had left, I would pick up each one and treasure it as it goes to the spent jar. That is counting our days, knowing someday I will reach into the jar with no more seeds. Wisdom says to treasure them all. Somedays, I am guilty of not measuring the beauty around me. Today, on a Saturday, I am up at 4 am focusing on reflection and gratitude. I am also reminded to live and savor each one of those days I am given.

The past year has been an incredible whirlwind. There is also something brutal about the aging factor that makes the days go fast. Again, I feel like a time traveler as my body and soul catch up with each other. The summer of 2022 was big for me, my wife, and my blessings called children. In March 2022, I accepted a position in Arizona, resulting in a June start date. In May, the house in Ohio sold, and we downsized and shipped belongings to the desert. If you want to break your attachment to material items, go through that practice. Deciding what we really needed or that brought us joy was so freeing. The effort was a few years of training by digesting material from The Minimalists.

An adventure like this will also cause emotional and relational growth. We were responding to an experience and the permission to dream and do something new. It is hard to explain the nudge like this other than a call, and we answered. Some of our friends and family loved it and supported us—some needed help understanding. Either way, relationships have flourished through the journey. ?

August 6, 2022, was a great day and a joy. My daughter Megan was married to her Prince (aka Cameron), and another son was added to my life. It was a celebration. It was beautiful. It has been equally beautiful watching those two walk on their journey. They both have big hearts; together, they exemplify what can be good and right in this world.

At the end of August, we had a house full of guests, mostly college students making the pilgrimage back to the desert before the semester started. The colleges around here are wise to get the young folks out before the real summertime heat and bring them back as it cools. My youngest, Abby, was the first to come to the desert. I thought she was crazy to move here, but I have learned she is quite brave. After some visits, we saw the attraction here. Being the homecooked meal spot and hanging out with her friends has been fun. It helps keep me up to speed on pop culture references.

In October, my son Wes asked to come live and adventure with us. He was also looking for something new and different to invigorate his view. He found a job and soaked in the beauty of this land. It has been wonderful to watch his growth and see him do something new. Having a sports and metal concert buddy in the loop is also nice. It is great to see the relationships he has forged.

By December, I had some stirrings inside of me that I can only explain as indicators of why we were pulled here. One of the advantages of being out of well-worn comfort zone grooves is that I can see the world differently. The opportunities give way to permission to dream and grow. Core, essential matters of the heart opened me up to possibilities. After 25 years, I was a full-time college student. The advantages of online education and the desire provided no more excuses. I tend to look ahead and felt like I had recaptured a plan that started all those years ago, but then…..

Joy gave way to more as I joined Moonshot Missions in March 2023. I will never forget the night I saw the job posting from Mission Command George Hawkins. I wondered how they knew this was the dream job I had been looking for my whole career. I am overjoyed at the idea of helping others with the skills I have gained on the journey. The “Mission” is so meaningful and at the core of my existence. I have seen things that break my heart, but I have also seen in our people the resilience with which hope can flourish. The team at Moonshot is nothing short of amazing. There is so much talent and brilliant people that amaze me every day. I am equally amazed that the talent is free of ego. These folks are so humble in their approach. They lead with their passion for people, and their excellent ability is revealed in servant leadership. The meaning of locking arms and forging ahead with these folks to make a difference is life-changing. I have found my people, my tribe, and “all my words fall short” to express my gratitude fully.

So all this to say, it has been a year of change and arguably significant life changes. What a journey, a fantastic adventure, and I live in the present with hopeful anticipation. I am grateful to journey with my wife of soon-to-be 25 years. I am thankful for the gift of our children. I am grateful for the new and tenured friends who have been encouraging and supportive. I am pleased that we never stop growing and learning. Dear sweet life, you are indeed equally intriguing and stimulating.

Friends, I encourage you to be you. You are never too old to pave a new path, make a new dream reality. Take heart, fellow travelers; some of your dreams may have died on the vine only to give way to new fruit. Be fruitful and share that sweet goodness with a world that needs you!

Godspeed!

NW Coey

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