2017 - The Best Year of My Life

My company's 30th Anniversary trip to Las Vegas (Tom is in the yellow hat)

Two months have flown by since my last post, though it doesn't feel like that to me. At the end of September, I found out some devastating news about my boss Tom--he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He was given a diagnosis of one to three months and this turned my world upside down. My boss, mentor, and friend of 13+ years wasn't going to take treatment and would instead spend his remaining days surrounded with family and friends. His faith in God is like no other that I have witnessed.

Just two months and one day into his diagnosis Tom took his last breath surround by his family. During his service, the priest said some words that struck quite a few of us. "Strive to live your life in order to have as many people at your funeral as Tom had." I have never attended a wake or service with so many people at it--over 1400 people attended the wake and there wasn't a seat available at St. Gabriel's Church. There were so many other sides to my boss' life that I was unaware of his impact. 

So needless to say, my end of 2016 wasn't ideal, but I have learned some really important lessons that I'm carrying into 2017. 1) Life is unpredictable - live every moment like it's your last. 2) Being the nice guy does pay off.  3) Every moment is a moment to remember, no matter how big or small. 4) Do the things that bring you joy. 

So as part of living out these lessons, I am dedicating myself back to my love of writing, including writing about the city that I love, Waukesha. And 2017 is a year that holds big things for me and I plan to bring you along for the ride. It's truly going to be the best year of my life and full of so many amazing events.

1) I marry the love of my life in April and we begin the next chapter of our life together. 

2) The purchase of a new home that is larger for all of us. 

3) A hiking trip with my ladies to Colorado in June

4) And of course all of my ventures around the city. 

Though I didn't make many formal resolutions this year like I have in past years, I did make one to be more organized. This will help my life in so many ways. I plan to get on a more routine schedule, keep my desk organized at work and keep my household clean. This will help us be prepared for selling, and by doing these things, I will make more time for ME! 

See you soon!