2025 has been quite the year for our family. Engagements, recognitions, home purchases, and funerals. This is just the top layer. John’s mom was our most recent funeral. He was able to spend time with her on this journey. There was a house closing the morning we left for her funeral. (All of our adult children are buying homes this summer.) The move-in was delayed. This is life. New beginnings and endings. In between is “the dash”. How we live these moments matters.
One of the best things about a funeral is learning all about your loved one from others. The whole picture comes in how people remember you. Barb was remembered fondly.
Did you stand or did you fall?
Build a bridge or build a wall
Hide your love or give it all
What did you do?
What did you do?
I have been able to spend a lot of time in reflection as we navigate this year.
Did you make ’em laugh or make ’em cry?
Did you quit or did you try?
Live your dreams or let ’em die
What did you choose?
What did you choose?
When it all comes down
It ain’t if, it’s how they remember you
Danielle and I attended all 3 events below in June. We had a great time networking and promoting Iowa. Danielle attended one more meeting. It was our insurance meeting in Cleveland. John was to go, but this was at the end of his mom’s life. We were blessed to have Danielle surrounded by a surrogate mom and dad (bus friends from PA and OH) when his mom died. While death is not pretty, it is beautiful. Barb was surrounded by family, Be Not Afraid was playing and love permeated the air, all the way to Cleveland.
This was a dash moment to cherish.
When you’re down to your last dollar
Will you give or will you take?
I discovered this quote in Winterset:
“It is simply service that measures success.” George Washington Carver
During June’s iTIP Summer Celebration, I was honored to be among these award winners. Listening to all of their accomplishments made me very proud to be an Iowan.
My award was the iTIP Partner of the Year. This year, I have been given the title of mentor. This is not a title I sought or thought I deserved. But I value the people who used this word to describe me. And, if I trust them, who am I to deny what they see? So, I accept the title. I am humbled and honored.
2026 will be a busy year! These are the same links from my last newsletter.
Next summer, the United States will experience a nationwide shortage in bus availability due to the FIFA World Cup, which will be held across North America from June 11 to July 19. Kansas City is the closest host city to our area, and we’ve already received inquiries from as far as Seattle.
As always, we are committed to serving our clients and helping you plan effectively. To ensure you can budget and secure transportation as you have in the past, we encourage early bookings.
Please note that those who wait may face limited availability and increased rates due to supply and demand.
We are currently accepting reservations.
U.S. Travel Association: FIFA 2026 World Cup Task Force a Welcome Development
As a company, we care about “The Dash”. Your experience with us matters. We care about how we will be remembered. How can we be of service to you today?
Smiles,
Kim Grzywacz
