Morning, all. Have some exciting news to share. I’m going on a cruise! I was lucky enough to end up as a winner in the Norwegian Cruise Lines Giving Joy contest.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful, supportive people. People near and far were kind enough to cast their votes to put me in 13th place with 2301 votes to get into into the semi-finals (top 60). From there I had to submit video, photos, and quotes to make it into the top 30 to win a cruise. Now I am hoping to make into the top 3, so I can win a cash prize for Cheney High School.

It has been a long six weeks with lots of anxious moments as we moved through the various phases of the contest, but the last week has seemed an eternity, for I knew I had won, but I couldn’t tell anyone, so I had to lie to a few people, including my mom. Sorry, Mom.

We will find out the grand prize winners in Seattle on May 3rd when Norwegian Cruise Lines flies my wife and me to the awards gala, where I will meet the other twenty-nine winners from all over the U.S. and Canada. Sadly, only thirty won, and I was lucky enough to be among them. Every teacher deserves such an award, so I am counting my blessings.

Of all, I am excited to be able to take my lovely wife on a cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary next year. She is also a teacher, so I am pleased that she, too, gets to experience the joy of such an honor. We have never done anything like this in our twenty-seven years together, so it will truly be a treat. Thank you to any and all who supported us along the way. We are eternally grateful, and we will enjoy every moment of our upcoming experience. Thank you.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing as writers as we work through the various pieces of our This Is Me projects.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Thursday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.