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| 5 weeks old, 1967 |
It was a Friday, the day of my birth. What a way to start a weekend for my parents.
I have some reflections as I prepare to celebrate my 49th birthday.
In general, I have not treated people as special as I have felt treated throughout my life. If I were to ponder why I would name a degree of being shy, stretched, and selfish. I am thankful and blessed to be treated as I have been by my family and friends and the faith communities I have served. Even more, I am blessed by how much I am loved by God.
I laugh more than I cry, and I love to see other people laugh. Maybe because I know when what I did is now a joke, I’ve been forgiven. Maybe because you all look so much better when you laugh. Regardless, I count this as a blessing and I contribute it to my family, my church and God.
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| first birthday, 1968 |
It turns out the “ugly duckling” story is true. Pretty much felt like one of those not so handsome ducks in language arts throughout public school. Though not a grammar guru, I have found a love for language. Can you guess I thank my family, church and God for this? Now for the image in the mirror. . . .
Hope is real. I’ve always been encouraged to reach out and to grow. Sometimes I fell. In both my success and my failure, I experienced the reality of hope. It is so much more than optimism. Guess who gave me that gift.
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| me and Dutchess, Aug 1969 |
As I near the mid-point of my life, I am thankful for so very much. Even more, I am inspired by what lies ahead. It is going to be amazing! That you and I are invited to participate in the future is one of our most cherished opportunities given by God. I am especially excited about sharing the future with my son as I watch him become a man.
I’ll turn 50 on a Friday. I’m guessing that will be a fun weekend.
