This was my view of the sunrise this morning. It was taken going about 6 MPH near the 405/101 interchange. I hate that interchange. Normally I’d be more than a bit upset that I couldn’t get to a great spot to “properly” photograph a moment as colorful as this one. Not today. Today I am simply thankful.

I am thankful for my mother. As soon as she heard about Rocky’s accident, and without my having to ask, she booked a flight and flew out from West Virginia. She actually didn’t give me a choice. I would have told her it wasn’t necessary. I needed her, and I didn’t know it. I do now.

I am thankful for our community of friends who have gone above and beyond to make sure life was made easier as she recovers. I fought their help initially. That was wrong. Having now received it, I can’t tell you how much it has meant. Our family needed them, more than I could have imagined.

I am thankful for those who are picking up and dropping off children at schools and thankful for the endless stream of positive thoughts, and prayers from friends and family all over the world. We need all of it, still. Without it, I would not be sitting on this plane right now.

Two days ago I was ready to cancel this business trip. It is an opportunity we’ve been working on at RealSatisfied for several years. This opportunity demands a face-to-face, live presentation. I knew that was true. And the ONLY reason I can even begin to feel comfortable leaving my wife and family for the night is because of the tremendous outpouring of kindness we are experiencing.

So… as I sat in traffic watching a glorious Los Angeles sunrise, I allowed the kindness of friends and family to continue to change my perspective. Everything looks different through the lens of kindness. Thank you all for providing that lens.

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