Yes I know, that’s not how the saying goes but that’s how I feel right now. I figure I spent 25 years in my first career so I’ll probably do the same with my next. I really don’t ever see myself not working, maybe not employed, but not, not working. So when I start looking at where this ministry is going, things I’d like to do and accomplish, it is from a time perspective of the rest of my life. Thus, lots of stuff to do and lots of time to get it done.

Now my dilemma, parring it down and figuring out what to do first. Well, keeping this website active and keeping a relationship open with you folks, yes if you are reading this we have a relationship of sorts (or so I’m told). After being off line for a couple of weeks, coming back to my “to do” lists has caused me to try and bring some order to this time of transition.

First things first, next week is the annual Minnesota Chiefs of Police annual ETI – Executive Training Institute. I have some Chaplain responsibilities at the event and am looking forward to seeing many of my old peers. Next I have to review and compile the lessons learned at the Retirement Academy I had the opportunity to facilitate last month. It was a great event and with a few modifications I think it will be even better. Doc Geiger and I are looking forward to doing more work together on the “Retirement Academy” project in the future. Then there is the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Task Force” that I am on as a representative of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. This is turning out to be a very significant and worthwhile project for the ministry. I’ll be sharing more in the future. Then there is my own personal professional development. This is a big one. My objective is to become an ordained ELCA Lutheran Minister, with a focus on specialized ministry, specifically in public safety chaplaincy services. I’m stating the process to transition from the Masters of Arts program I’ve been in at seminary and switch to the Masters of Divinity program in the fall.

Well, that’s a glimse of “So Much to Do” but there is “So Much Time” too………

After two weeks of spring break / visiting relatives in Florida I’m back home and back at work.  Since my retirement from the PD back in January, “back at work” has a whole new meaning.  Although I was greeted with a backlog of e-mails (many of which I kept up with while I was gone)  the only work waiting for me was the work I had left undone 2 weeks ago when we headed south.  No personnel issues, no emerging crime issues, no critical incidents in process, nothing but the work I’ve created waiting for my attention.  And that feels different.  Not better, not worse, just different.  Actually though, after 25 years of basically the same thing, I believe different is better.

I intended to spend a fair amount of time on our trip reflecting on my past and planning for the future.  Although there was some of that, as usually is the case we spent the majority of the time fixed in the present.  We stay at Cam’s mom’s house when we visit Florida.  We got word during the drive down that her mom had some medical issues and was in the hospital.  Without going into detail, we spent much of the time dealing with the inevitable issues that arise with aging parents.  So regardless of what our plans are in life, looking at the past or looking to the future, life happens in the present, we live in the world of today.  And that life is good.

We had a good trip, Cam got to be there through the medical issues as opposed to being 1500 miles away.  Sophia got to spend a lot of time with her big sister Amy.  Amy got to get the tan that was her objective of the trip.  And I got some of the best sleep I’ve had in a lot of years.  When I slept, I slept hard and on occasion it was more than once a day.  (and George you can save the trouble of sending the inevitable comment, I’ll do it for you: “So how’s that different from when you were Chief?”)

So it’s good to be home, back at work, and sharing stories.