A Life Choice

I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.
                                                                               -Oprah Winfrey

Anyone who knows Mike well, knows that he has this magnetic force with children.  Whether it is with his own daughter, his nieces, the neighbor kids or the young athletes he has coached, they are drawn to him and his youthful, yet guiding soul. 

After a few fateful changes in our lives Mike has decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in Human Services.  After a lot of soul searching and remembering a time when he was truly happy, we kept coming back to the discussion of him coaching high school football.  The discussion was rarely around throwing the football with the kids or calling out plays, it was mostly about the relationships he developed with the kids and the impression that he left on some of them.  This time spent even warranted some kids to send a letter, inviting Mike back to watch a game played in dedication to the personal influence Mike had on that young man, even after he was gone from coaching. 

Our discussions whirled from a new career path to school and back again.  We finally settled on school, but the question then became what?  We barely even touched on how?  Or even more importantly, are we crazy?!  We both knew in our hearts that this was right and that we are going to make it work.  He considered teaching, but after more research has settled into Human Services.  Ideally working with youth that are less fortunate in their personal environment...providing a strong, male influence in their lives, a friend, a mentor. 

Over a very short two weeks, we went from the feeling of what's next?! to a new dream, a new path, and a new sense of purpose beginning with class on June 4th!
Mike - Lila and I are so proud of you for taking the road less traveled.  It would have been easy to make the "safe" decision, but you chose to follow a dream!  You have an extraordinary gift of compassion and we are so excited to be on this journey with you, we are standing right beside you as you take on this new chapter in your life!  We Love You!