Home again…….

Last night after we shut down the Nikon office at the PGA, I struck out for home, I knew I couldn’t make it all the way, about four and a half hours, but I could get closer and that was good enough. It must be an indicator that I’m closing in on retiring, wanting to be home more than wanting to be on the road. For the past 25 years I’ve been traveling a great deal, averaging over two hundred days a year away from Sherelene. It’s a life that both of us have gotten use to, but never happy with it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, the people I work with, and the work is, (most of the time), interesting, but being away from home is not my idea of ideal. Many people have jobs that require travel so I’m certainly not all that different from millions of others. I have to say that it does have some up side. After forty two years of marriage, I still love my wife and always enjoy coming home to her. I appreciate my home, my home town, my church, my friends and the life of living like most normal people, when I get the opportunity. Then again in the last twenty five years I’ve been to Africa, the Galapagos Islands (three times), France, South America, several trips to Canada. I’ve also gotten to extensively shoot the National Parks, virtually all of them, over 25 times. That has been a real blessing, but yet, my favorite evening is snow falling outside, a fresh log in the fireplace, and cuddled up with Sherelene reading a good book.

Life is not always exactly what we want, to be paid, we have to go where the work takes us. If it means time away from home, that’s just the way it is. With my limited talents, (I can write, photograph and like and get along well with people), there are only so many jobs out there. I’m
blessed to have this one. I’ve been asked often by friends and associates how I’ve handled such a heavy travel schedule. It’s simple;

1. I trust God with my life, my work, and my family. I know they are under His supreme care and knowing that allows me to concentrate on the work that must be done.

1. While I think of Sherelene and my family often, I don’t dwell on how far apart we are. Thinking
constantly about how much I miss them will not get me home any sooner, and it makes it
impossible to do the work I’m paid to accomplish.

1. I work on the things that Nikon needs me to do and work hard at becoming a better; man of
faith, photographer, and craftsman at what I do.

1. I spend some time everyday thanking Him for all He has given me. A life worth living, a great
family, wonderful friends, and exciting experiences.

1. I pray that God will help me to grow into the man He wants me to be and give me a mission
worthy of devoting a life to.

Thank You Father for another day, another day at home, another day to belong to You, to serve You, to honor You. Thank you for a better family, better friends and a better job than I deserve.
Thank You Father, Amen.

Be blessed,

the pilgrim

As Paul said, “I am not in prison, I’m in the Lord.”

* Photo Note: Image shot with the D7000, 200mm Micro Nikkor, ISO 3200. Match head color changed from
green to blue in Capture NX2.