Rolling in the dough

After breakfast on Tuesday we went to the Denver mint where Gma loaded up. Or at least that's what she said she was going to do. The instructions were clear and the warnings precise. Get there on time or you would not be admitted to the tour. So we left early and after parking just below the capital building, we went to the capital steps to find the mile high step and took pictures.

We soon secured a parking spot, and went down to the mint to prepare for the tour. The tour was delightful and very interesting. It produces 39,000,000 million coins everyday and is not funded by tax money or govt handouts. The coins, badges and collector items provide enough sales to effectively sustain the operation. ​

Across the way in the civic center, there was a large group of food trucks, so we walked up and down the line of trucks to see the various eats. There was waffle trucks and ice cream trucks and Mexican, oriental, hot wings, burgers, and Hawaiian grill trucks...and much more. I didn't stop and count them, but there was probably between 20-30 food trucks with tables chairs and umbrellas. It was lunchtime so I got wings and Linda and Elaine bought hamburgers and fries. It was all delicious. And a fun atmosphere. ​

​The highlight of our trip occurred next. We drove out to Arvada (map) to visit Dale and Lydia. They live in a beautiful little spot with lakes and golf courses and lush trees and forest around them. Dale greeted us and invited us in to introduce us to his wife Lydia. We sat in their comfortable living room and visited. Dale was married to his first wife for only a couple years.  He and Lydia have been married for 30 years.

It occurs to me that our families are made up of people who can change our lives and add so much to the world in which we live. Lydia is one of those kind of people. She is fun and talkative. She is kind and welcoming, and we felt a natural affinity for her. Dale said that his mother died giving birth to his little sister. Linda asked Dale if he had in memories of his mother, Thelma. He said he had one. He remembered her sitting at the makeup counter putting on her makeup. That was the day she went to the hospital to deliver her baby. Lydia's father is living with them currently. We were looking at many pictures down memory lane hanging in the hallway and said hello to him but unfortunately failed to take time to visit with him at all. Then just before dinner, Lydia invited us to sit around the table in their dining room. She served us French-dip sandwiches, salads, and drinks. And we continued visiting until late. She served delicious fruit cups and cakes that looked like they came from Kneaders. Lydia confided in us that she wants to begin a blog for people faced with the challenge of handling elderly care and dealing with some life decisions that we often fail to prepare for. She and Dale have become friends we hope to keep in touch with for many years to come.

We travel through life with an opportunity to reach out to others and influence their lives for good, but in reality our efforts only serve to bless our world more abundantly. This doesn't just affect your acquaintances, friends, and immediate family. This truth goes on to bless many others—your extended family, people who witness your cause, and the whole world eventually are edified—that's what dads do. Thank you Elwood, Gaye, Milton and Dale. We are better because we know you.

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