The past week has given me a perspective on life.

In fact, he almost stopped me in my tracks and gave me a swift kick in the butt… My focus, attention and spirit needed an overhaul…

I had forgotten what is really important in this world, and with a word I have been given a deep insight into what is really important…

This probably won’t come as a surprise to any of you, but for my hardhead from time to time, I need a hit to tune in. You see that the most important thing in this world is love and being with the people you love. It doesn’t matter how many cars you have, houses or iPods, iPads, Maxi Pads… all pads! It’s who you love and who loves you in return…

That’s really all that matters, in fact that’s all that matters.

Now make no mistake, I understand that we can’t shop for groceries with love, or pay our cable bill with love (well, maybe in Vegas, but that’s another kind of love), but if your intentions aren’t based on love , you will do it. Never be truly free and live your true purpose.

I don’t consider myself a religious man, but I do consider myself spiritual… I believe in a power greater than all of us and I believe without a doubt that we were put on this earth to love one another. …

And that extends beyond simply loving in a human way. I think it extends to how we treat our animals (yes mom, even the squirrels that eat the birdseed you take out), how we treat the environment, and ultimately how we approach every interaction every day.

This has been an extremely challenging week for my parents and family, but it has also been incredibly enlightening for me…

This is what I know; I am the sixth child born to a farming family in southern Saskatchewan. My parents have never had much money or material possessions, but my brothers and I are probably the richest people you will ever meet. We have been bathed and surrounded by a love that could light up a sunrise…

In recent years I have spent a lot of time studying and reading about gratitude. Although our family is being challenged in our life right now, I know there is deep gratitude that extends a mile deep. In fact, as I sit here tonight, I wonder what the hell I did to be so incredibly lucky to have what I have. AMAZING parents, a loving family, amazing friends, living in the best country in the world, a warm bath every night, a hot coffee every morning, and ultimately, love in my heart.

I’m not always known as a cheesy guy, in fact some people probably think I’m insensitive, but here’s the truth, cheesy or not… I know tonight as I lay my head on the pillow… that I’m a product of pure love. I can’t deny that.

Mom and Dad have given me a gift greater than all the gold in the world. You’ve shown me what love is like. I will spend my life in gratitude for this gift and do my best every day to live by your example.

Whatever happens in the coming weeks and months, we will treat it with love, because it really is all that matters!

Dad, you’re my hero…sorry it took me 39 years to tell you…I love you…Jim