Wealth & Riches

Can I just say I have the best mom and dad in the whole world? They truly amaze me. Here they are on a recent Alaskan Cruise with 3 of their grandchildren.

If I didn't know better, I'd believe these two were rich. Dad is a retired state trooper. Mom's a retired teacher. So it isn't as if they had high paying jobs. Being retired doesn't mean doing not working. Mom is no longer in a classroom, but supplements their income teaching online college courses and developing curriculum. She takes classes herself, every chance she can.

Mom started out as a stay-at-home mom or more simply, a homemaker. Before going to work for the State Highway Department, Dad worked for the phone company and actually got to climb telephone poles. By ages 24 & 25, they'd blossomed into a family of 6. Twenty years later, they'd raised 4 great kids-one of which happens to be me. Smile.

Mom & Dad are the most generous, fun-loving people I know. They've ventured to Europe for 2 years. Mom taught and Dad learned more about his German heritage. Since then they've taken 4 trips and 6 grandkids to Europe. These excursions, high school graduation gifts, were their way of giving their grandchildren an expanded world view. When overseas travel was not recommended, they embarked on a Mexican Cruise with two grandsons.

They've zip-lined through Mexico, white water rafted in Alaska,

ventured through London Cathedrals and wandered through Stonehenge and Castles,


explored Scotland in search of Nessie, the loch ness monster, hiked, biked, and for their 40th anniversary took the entire family hot-air ballooning.


(This is Hilary rock wall climbing on board the ship.)

My parents have invested so much into their kids and grandchildren. I've only mentioned some of their adventures. There is so much more. They've welcomed grandkids into their home not only to visit, but to live for varying times and seasons-along with adopting stray pets.

Mom is currently giving once-a-week art lessons to her 6 year old granddaughter who seems to have inherited her grandmothers artistic talent.

Mom and Dad took their great-grandson, Ethan, on his first trip to Disneyland.


In addition to investing into the lives of their family, they somehow find time to volunteer their time at church on committees, ushering, using creative talents to bring beauty into their world and so much more. And of course taking the time to pray for others.

I could go on and on about how much Mom and Dad have given to others, but I will end here. In the beginning of this post, I mentioned that my parents are not wealthy, but I was mistaken. By enriching the lives of others, they too are richer. Abundant blessings spill over to everyone they meet.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the wealthy heritage! Your generosity astounds me.