What life is about

I do not want this blog to be just about politics. I know this is what has happened so far. But, this is just because we are facing the most historic election in our history. No matter who wins, the face of America is going to be changed. There is either going to be a man of African American Heritage (OK half and half) or a Woman in the White House. But, that is enough of politics for today.

Today is about life. It is about celebration of life. It is about what is important in life. Today is my birthday. And what better way to celebrate a birthday than contemplate what my life has meant. True, there has been a lot of turmoil in my life. I have seen and lived through tough times that I hope none of you ever have to live through. But, those times are not important. In fact, most of the details of those times have faded into a jumble of things that never come to surface.

What I do think about are the times that:

Erica was helping me load some firewood into the back of the truck. I had a log, perhaps about 70 pounds. And she, just about 3 years old, had a twig. “Help me Daddy. It’s heavy!”
Brad would practice his ROTC drills in the yard for hours. Every move had to be perfect. He had to be perfect.

Angie was bitten by a dog. She wouldn’t tell us where that dog was, because she was afraid that the dog would be impounded and put to sleep. The fact that she would rather go through the rabies shots than allow a dog be put to sleep says something about her character.

The smiles as each of you reached each milestone in life, the first step, the first word, the first bicycle ride without training wheels. Each little step toward growing up made my life better. And now, as you are getting along in years, you are seeing some of the same joys that I saw.

There are many stories of watching you kids growing up. There are things that, at the time you were too young to understand. And, as time passed, I had hoped that you would have forgotten about. There are some things that you may have heard, that may not be true.

I have collected a fair amount of things. But, things are not that important. I have the house, the land, the truck, a motor home and a bus; a tractor and all the things that make life comfortable. But, these things are not what make life good. There is a difference between comfortable and good. Comfortable is the warm home when the cold winds outside are raging. Good is the warm smile that is seen across the table at family dinner. Good is hearing the stories of how the day went. Good is hearing the laughter of a child (even when they get older and have children of their own). Good is sitting under a tree, watching the river go past, and holding the hand of someone that I should have known long ago. Good is reading the letters and cards that I have gotten from long ago that tell me how their lives have been impacted by being my kid.

Life had been good. Life is getting better. The thing about life, is the best part of it is when you are a child. Then as we grow up, we are told that we should give up our childish ways. This is true. We should give up SOME childish ways. But, we should always retain that inner child in us that makes life so wonderful. Sometimes, this is hard to do. Sometimes, life gives us such a hard hand to play that it may be impossible. But, the quest to re-find that inner child should be followed. I have done that. And now, in respect to someone (Trinity) who has helped me find my inner child, I am going to sing a song:

Happy Birthday ME
Happy Birthday ME
Happy Birthday, Happy Birth Day
Happy Birthday ME.

Love you kids.