20/20
We often hear people say that “hindsight is 20/20”, but writing this summary in December 2019 reinforces our experience that the mind is the first to go. While we are experiencing some minor aches and pains that come with approaching 60, those are understandable given what our body’s do for us over the decades. What’s harder to embrace are the “senior” moments:
- Getting up to walk downstairs, then after arriving forgetting why we went down.
- Having a thought in the middle of a conversation, then forgetting what I wanted to say when it’s my turn to speak.
- Deciding not to write something down because it’s too important to forget, then being unable to recall what was so important.
Life is good, but it’s even better when we stay in the moment. Requiring a little extra time or developing a technique to recall its milestones are minor inconveniences while enjoying our journey (as long as I remember to take it a little bit easier during my workouts).
80 for 20
Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto developed a principle in 1896 stating that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. As we gain additional life experience (i.e. get older), we find ourselves spending more time on fewer things that generate even higher benefits. We’re still open to new ideas, thinking and experiences, but are finding we see the Pareto Principle working daily in our lives based on the choices we make with our most valuable asset – our energy.
Much of our travel in 2018 was focused on family, from the left coast of America to the splendors of Central Europe:
- We celebrated Rick’s birthday in Nashville and were fortunate to get backstage seats for a concert at the Grand Ole’ Opry.
- We visited the Barron’s of Richmond, VA to attend Grace’s High School Graduation/18th Birthday Party, then…
- …visited Williamsburg, VA for the 2018 Barron Family Reunion.
- Rick then headed to Europe with Grace and Will to visit Berlin, Dresden, Munich and Vienna.
- Followed by a trip to Cleveland to tour the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and visit his fraternity brothers (that counts as family).
- Followed up by a trip to Sonoma, CA for a family wedding and a long weekend visiting family in Santa Cruz and exploring San Francisco with Mom & Julie, and…
- … a Christmas celebration in Sylvester, GA with Anita’s parents.
The Final 20%
Here are a few other highlights from our 2018. They’re just as memorable as those mentioned above, just grouped here for brevity:
- Rick’s Grand Daughter Anna received academic recognition from Johns Hopkins University.
- Rick gave his first presentation before a Vistage group.
- We saw Dennis DeYoung (the voice you recognize from Styx) in concert.
- We wholesaled our first single family home (a real junker) in Somerville, OH!
There are likely other events/activities worth mentioning, but as stated above they’ve passed from near-term memory. Here are links to Sally, Kevin, Kendra, Mia, Andrew, Will and A.J.‘s 2018 photos for your convenience. You may also want to see updates from Manny and our cast of kitties.
100% Accurate
We guarantee this content is 100% authentic, that our interest in sharing it with you is 100% genuine and that we’re 100% hopeful you’ve enjoyed reading it. Having written it from the perspective of already writing the 2019 Summary, we’re 100% confident you have more to look forward to reading from us.
With All Our Love,
and 