Shiny Things

“Life is about perspective and how you look at something… ultimately, you have to zoom out.”  – Whitney Wolfe Herd I have a friend who finds great enjoyment and some amount of solace in having something to look forward to. It doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as it is in the reasonably…

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Ridin’ The Storm Out

REO Speedwagon is a 70’s rock quintet named after a light motor truck introduced in 1915 by the REO Motor Car Company. The REO Speedwagon (the truck) served as delivery, tow, dump, and fire trucks, as well as hearses and ambulances. REO Speedwagon (the band) was founded by Neal Allan Doughty who, like the founder…

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Happy New Year?

When we wish someone a ‘Happy New Year’ it is not the emotion of happiness we are invoking, rather we are wishing them a fortunate and lucky year. Interestingly, a wish is a strong desire for something that probably won’t happen. So as we welcome in the new year, we are (mostly inadvertently) saying, “I…

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Imagine

This weekend I got to reconnect with my cousin, Vera, who is 3. She is named after my grandmother, whom I loved very much, so she is special to me. She lives in California, so I don’t get to see her much, but I really enjoyed getting to spend a little time with her and…

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Arise & Shine

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 That verse is kind of the second part of a story. The first part is dark, but I will get to that in a bit. 2018 has been a bright year for the Kimray family. It feels…

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Hope Is Not A Strategy

“Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.” Italian Proverb Today is a first at Kimray. Something happened today that has not happened before in our 70-year history. Today Kimray has a female executive. I am very excited to welcome Kelly Jennings as Vice President of People…

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A Stone Of Hope

I was in Washington DC last week with my 14 yr old son, some of his classmates and a few of their parents. This is an annual trek to the nation’s capital organized by the school to afford the students an opportunity to view firsthand the monuments, museums and locations that detail and preserve the…

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I’d Give Anything to be a Philanthropist

I told someone the other day that my Grandfather, Garman Kimmell, was a philanthropist. I often include that in my description of him when I am relating some part of our story. However, on this particular occasion I found myself wondering what the other person thought that meant. What does it mean to be philanthropic?…

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Finding Joy

I am reminded every day by my own responses and emotions that I am far too reliant on my circumstances for my serenity and joy. I let trivial things derail my day. I allow thieves of expectation and entitlement to break in and take what is truly valuable. I exist when I should be living.…

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Losing

I read this really great essay by Bonnie Priebel Blaylock: https://getpocket.com/a/read/1432577576 Toward the end she says, “If I’m holding with white knuckles to those things I’ve lost, or am afraid of losing, my hands are too full to accept all the other great gifts waiting for me.” I have lost a lot in my life.…

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