Being of Service

As a parent, I believe one our greatest hope’s is that our children grow up healthy, happy, safe and become a productive contributor to society.  Josie and I have the honor and pleasure of experiencing just that and obviously very proud of our son Eric.  We’re also grateful to include our awesome daughter-in-law Lauren with those same feelings.  Both she and Eric have been volunteering at a place called Adaptive Sports Association (ASA) for the past several years.  ASA is a non-profit organization located at the foot of the San Juan Mountains in Durango, Colorado.  Adventures of a lifetime——-for people with physical and cognitive disabilities.   Their mission is to provide outdoor, sport and recreation experiences for people with disabilities.  Activities are provided regardless of individual financial limitations and create an atmosphere for learning and enhancing self-esteem.   Both management and fellow volunteers recognized Eric’s natural gifts and talents and he was offered a paid staff position with ASA, Durango.  He recently told me how grateful he is to get paid, doing what he loves to do!  And so, with the help of Elise, a young lady that just moved to Durango and having joined the Adaptive Sports Volunteer Program, I got to witness and experience firsthand the feelings one gets by assisting she and Eric with teaching a young man by the name of Colby, how to ski.  The gratification from serving others is no stranger to me.  Josie and I have volunteered in some capacity in every community we’ve ever lived.  However, it never ceases to amaze me how the feelings return as if it were my first time.  The reason Josie and I recently sold our home in Minnesota is of course a selfish one, we wanted live closer to Eric and Lauren.  Eric being a Military brat (children raised by a parent serving in the military), never lived in Minnesota and he and Lauren have chosen to call Durango their home.  And so here we are, temporarily living in our RV, calling Durango our home base.  Josie and I have many adventures awaiting us and look forward to sharing our stories with you.  In the meantime, if you’re not already involved serving your community, I highly recommend you do.  You won’t regret it.