Taking Risks

Like all of us, my father in law Ernie had many sides to his personality.  I've heard many memorable stories shared about him since his death two months ago.  He was a risk taker.  One of my favorite stories of him is from when he was a young man.  Ernie had a 1966 Pontiac Le Mans.  The cops tried to pull him over on a dirt road one night but he managed to outrun them in that car.  By flipping a special switch on his dashboard, the taillights would go dark on the back of the car.  He could leave the cops in the dust since they couldn't track his taillights.  Ernie also had a cautious side.  He wasn't the most comfortable person in social situations.  You would never seem him at the coffee shop with local farmers, shopping at the grocery store, or out and about at farm auctions very often.  He would rather be outside driving the tractor and keeping to himself.  


It's good to take some risks.  I'm a person that takes risks, but these must be calculated risks.  I don't like heights, driving really fast, or not being near a basement during a thunderstorm.  When it comes to big decisions, I usually have to write lists of pros and cons, talk to dozens of people about the decision, and pray about it.  I'm so glad I took the risk to switch jobs a few months ago and work for Thrivent Financial.  In the midst of mourning Ernie's death, I had to focus on studying for my financial exams.  It was hard but I never doubted my decision.  I've always been a fan of learning and enjoyed college and graduate school, so studying for these exams has been right up my alley. 


Life is so short.  Dan and I feel like Ernie was taken too soon.  But is there ever a time that would have made losing him easier?  He probably took some risks that I wouldn't have (like trying to outrun the police), but he lived a life without regret.  Ernie lived a good life.