Good Luck, Ryan!!

During our Pa. visit last fall, we witnessed the BEST GIFT I EVER HEARD OF...Denny Keefer's three boys gave him a completely restored pick-up truck.

Not just any pick up truck. This is an exact replica of 'Denny's very first truck.  He had it all tricked-out, and this was the vehicle he and Kathy used on their first date...

Their oldest son grew up hearing his parents' love story. A chapter in that story is that when Denny Jr. was born, the truck had to be sold to pay the bills. And Denny Jr. looked for years to find this truck...the right year, the right color...

They sold that first truck over 40 years ago...but it was for a very good cause.

And they raised three boys, who became pretty amazing men (Denny Jr., Danny and Ryan).  So it all worked out exactly the way it was supposed to.

When Ross moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he had a job in a strange city, a U-Haul, and no place to live.  Kathy said he could stay with them until he figured things out...and after just a few days, the Keefer house felt like home.  Kathy even made his chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for his birthday that year...And he STILL raves about her cooking!!

Even though that was eight years ago, Ryan still acts surprised whenever Kathy bakes a pie...saying, "what? Is Ross coming for a visit?"

Ryan's beautiful wife, Leslie, with their oldest son, Owen.

Ryan's house -- which he renovated, board by board, brick by brick...

Yep. These are good people...salt of the earth...and I am so lucky they are a part of my life.  It is my most fervent hope that someday, one of the Keefers will come west to IOWA so we can return some of their hospitality.

But today -- this post is for Ryan.  A broken neck is a life threatening condition and that surgery was terrifying.  Your Iowa family is happy that you are recovering and making new life plans... 

As painful and difficult as this has all been,  I think there's a good chance that one day you'll look back and understand this wisdom...

Most days, you can't tell you good luck from your bad...

GOOD luck with your new business!!