Thomas was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1954 where he grew up with ten siblings. After high school and two years of working in the resort hotel industry he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He subsequently worked at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque for fourteen years. In 1993 he and Nancy moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry. Between them they have five adult children. Since retiring in 2020 Thomas has continued actively participating in long distance running and cycling events. He will run the 2023 Boston Marathon in April and looks forward to participating in the 50th Registered Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa in July. Together, he and Nancy love going to new places and cherishing outdoor splendor.
A Life of Joy
The Simple Joys of Growing Up in Old Santa Fe and the Adventures of the Happy Years That Followed.
by Thomas Hesch
A Life of Joy
The Simple Joys of Growing Up in Old Santa Fe and the Adventures of the Happy Years That Followed.
by Thomas Hesch
Published Apr 22, 2023
154 Pages
Genre: HUMOR / Form / Essays
Book Details
The Simple Joys of a Life Well Lived
In Part I, An Idyllic Life in Old Santa Fe, Thomas tells humorous and anecdotal tales about growing up in a large family. He details plenty of mischief-making, tender family moments, and unexpected acts of kindness from total strangers. In the chapter Bone Ghosts he describes terrifying nightmares as the demon he called Ben mercilessly exploits his imagination. Part II, The Simple Joys of a Life Well Lived, is a continuation of Thomas’ adventures, including a story about unexpected events hitchhiking around the Southwest. He takes us on a motorcycle adventure to California along with his buddies. He describes tragedies and triumphs in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and he takes us on a six-week road trip with two friends packed tightly into a VW Bug. In Part III, A Road Trip to Remember, he describes the breathtaking beauty of the northern California coastline and the many adventures he and his wife, Nancy, share as they travel through various national parks. He details the magnificent giants in the Redwoods National Forest, the stunning monolithic granite cliffs in Yosemite Valley and the magnificent splendor of Kings Canyon. He concludes with a brief commentary on the good-natured people they met along the way. Come join the journey and experience the joys of a life well lived!