It was so comforting to feel the feeling.

In all honesty, I do like my alone moments. Perhaps it’s my introspective leaning personality, but those times to collect, sort and arrange thoughts are very important to me. It’s my hope you have periods of peace, too.

However and obviously, there is another element of life all of us need and that is the presence of other people. Presence is a powerful time for us to build relationships, to discover and to hang onto the past.

In a bit of time, our family will be coming together to celebrate the presence of each other. It’s not an event to take lightly – familial presence is critical to all of us. Certainly, we all lead our own lives, but such family gatherings remind us how important we are to each other.

We might have to share a snifter of E&J XO Brandy. It’s such a pleasant way to end the day. That brandy will always be a presence in my humble existence.

During our local Concerts in the Park events, it’s so pleasant to see people walk/run to each other and give each other a hug. The smiles and laughter are indications that these folks feel blessed by each others presence. Of course, the presence of music brings these folks together so don’t ever minimize the impact of music in your life.

While our children were growing up, music played an extremely important part in their lives. They all got into heavy rock/metal music, and, currently, they will all attend a Metallica concert together. As a parent, I feel so good to know their presence to each other is still a growing thing. That presence is now being passed on to our grandchildren.

Speaking of family, I was recently attending a Happy Hour event, and one of the organizers began to tell me about her family’s history. What really struck me was that the family came form various parts of Germany, and, then, she told me about a Bible her great grandmother brought across the ocean. Besides the clothes of her back, that book was the only item she carried across the ocean.

Why was it important to her? The old Bible contained her family history dating back to the 16th century. It’s still used today to keep the family history alive. There, my friends is the presence of the past. It’s my hope to see that Bible one day and feel the history it contains.

At that Happy Hour time, I interacted with a lot of folks. They were not only enjoying their special cocktails, but it was quite apparent those attendees were having a heck of a lot of fun with each other. Presence was palatable.

Being Minnesota Nice, I had to have a bit of something, too. I was directed to a bottle of Hendricks Gin which is distilled in Scotland. I’ve tasted it before, but the liquid always interests me. The bill of ingredients is kept secret, but, at the finish of a sip of it, there’s an interesting taste of cucumbers. The presence of all the other botanicals within the liquid makes it very unique and darn good.

One last thought…

I’ll always raise a glass of wine – whatever variety – to our nations rule of law and freedom for all. The presence of laws and the founding documents of our country are there for all to enjoy. Let’s stand together for our country’s freedoms and equality so one day we wouldn’t wake up and ask: “Where is it?”.

So don’t take presence for granted. Join with your family, your friends, your favorite liquid and with your past. Presence is found in the past, the present and in the future.

May you always be fulfilled with whatever presence is important to you. Where is it? All around you.

As always, eat and drink in moderation, but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!