Last week my daughter and I drove by our old house, the one we left back in June as we downsized our lives and removed the wasted spaces in between. We drove extra slowly as we approached the section where you could see the back pasture through two sets of fences on the side yard. 

There they were grazing, Tater Tot and Daisy, our two original miniature donkeys.

Both looked happy.  

We were so grateful to catch this glimpse, since you can only see a small part of the land when you drive by. We stopped in the middle of the road to enjoy the moment, then saw Kit Kat and Donkey Kong join alongside the first two. All four of our former pets looked healthy and content in the pasture that remained their home even after we moved on.  I was emotional as I watched them wander around because they were so much more than just donkeys to our family.

In 2024, we miraculously discovered that our then three-year-old son had brain cancer. That spring and summer, he underwent months of proton radiation, and my entire family endured a grueling schedule together. He was sedated each morning, his PICC line needed constant attention, and he suffered through a few hours of nightmares almost every night. That year, our plans were upended, and we had to cancel many of our summer traditions, including our family vacation. Thanks to his PICC line, our son couldn’t get in the pool or even enjoy a splash pad. 

Knowing we needed something positive to rally around, we used the money set aside for vacation to buy four miniature donkeys instead. I cannot properly explain the joy, adventure, excitement, and togetherness the donkeys brought to our family as we spent most evenings on the back patio watching them race about or chase coyotes. They created a shared experience that took our focus off the difficulties of each day, and they gave us a chance to smile, exhale, and laugh together regularly.

I didn’t mind selling the house, but it was hard to leave Tater Tot and the gang because they were more than just donkeys. They were hope when the news was bad. They were energy when the sleep was fleeting. They were entertainment when we were running on fumes. They were galloping when we struggled to crawl. They reminded us of God’s beauty and our littleness when the day's issues felt so big.

Even though the donkeys have great new owners, they still play a key role in my life, reminding me daily of the bigger picture of everything I do.

• Undivided Life is more than just growth consulting and marketing services – It is a call to walk the narrow path of business excellence and human flourishing and a reminder to lead well and live whole.  
• Howdy Homemade is more than just ice cream and jobs for adults with special needs - It is a reminder that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God and that, in itself, is the source of our inherent dignity. 
• Our podcasts (The BeatiDudes, The Catholic Gentleman, and Catholic Working Mom) are more than just faith-based forms of entertainment – they are communities where ongoing formation leads to personal transformation and desires for growth become lifelong commitments. 

Looking back on the arc of my life, I can see this pattern of higher meaning at play. 

• 5 is more than an energy consulting firm – it's proof that intentional culture building creates companies that lead the way on all fronts, as 5 provides the best energy advice to clients and the best place to work for its team members. 
• In My Shoes is more than just a maternity home for pregnant women facing homelessness – it is belonging, accompaniment, and confidence towards independence for mothers and their children. 
• CARPOOL is more than a ride home for students at Texas A&M - it is a contribution to the common good, help for a stranger, and a comma in each patron’s life story that enables them to continue pursuing their dreams and aspirations. 

Sometimes we look at our lives and see just a job (or just a donkey), and we miss the chance to appreciate the unseen part of the picture – the bigger part, the part that matters more. 

Hope - Dignity - Love - Contribution - Faith - Joy

And Tater Tot... who is more than just a donkey.