Beginnings and Endings

This week I started my new job. I'm the Freight Manager for Columbia Sportswear. It's a new outlet store at the Prime Factory Outlets on International Drive. Our Grand Opening will be Oct. 20th. Since this is just their 12th store and they are planning to expand at 20 or so stores a year for the next 3 years at least, there will be lots of opportunities for growth within the company. Next year they will be opening another store in Orlando and by early to middle next year my current Manager will be promoted to a Regional Manager type position. So there will be 2 store openings for me to apply for. After becoming familiar with Columbia's product, I'm very impressed with the quality of their stuff. It's all very exciting.
On a more somber note, my Great Grandfather passed away on Thursday. He was 98 years old. He left behind 1 Child, 4 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren, 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, with at least 1 more on the way. He was a great example of what James called "Pure Religion". He visited the sick and the elderly in his church congregation, even when they were younger than he was. Now he will have the wonderful opportunity to be reunited with his wife in the post-mortal world, I'm sure he has missed her dearly.