It Was 47 Years Ago Today...

"It's a long December and I've got reason to believe,

That this year will be better than the last..."

--Counting Crows

Another year older, not altogether certain if I am another year wiser, but with experience comes some forms of intellect.
What can I write about being 47? I have gone through about three of the most stressful situations one can go through in the last five years—major illness, divorce, remarriage. I can say I have gone through all in a positive sense and am a better man for it.

In the last year, I am perhaps more spiritually lifted than I have been in quite some time. My sense of purpose has been opened to me. I am more loving than I have ever been, and I thank Jen for it. I have felt a kinship with the members of the family. I have also felt the occasional need to bite my tongue more. I am still debating if that is a “good thing” or not.

I have a feeling that the relative smoothness of the last year will continue. The wedding in October went off well. The subsequent “life together” has flown by with nary a problem. I have my health. I am resigned to the idea that every day is a gift and I have a purpose on this Earth.

As far as my popular culture moments, Batman has been a much better read than it has been in years. I am disappointed in how badly Daredevil’s Shadowland concluded. I was hoping for more from the Avengers, and I am confused by the book. Thor has been a fine read, and Captain America is good. DC-wise, other than the fore-mentioned Batman titles, Superman’s “walk across the US” series has been great, Blackest Night is dragging on much too long, Flash is horrid, and Green Lantern is dull at this point. Ok, I have proven I am still a geek.

Moving on in my annual birthday blog. Good Old Foggy is becoming just that—old. She is having difficulty eating kibbles and I am now feeding her soft food. She lost some weight as of late and her eyes are less clear. My fear is that her time is winding down. Chumley, speaking of losing weight, has lost none. He must be eating Foggy’s share. Guinness is Guinness and is as loving and annoying and neurotic as usual. We introduced Jen’s cat Babbett to the household and the transition has been fairly smooth. She and Guinness are liking one another, which is frankly the very last thing we expected. Both are relatively nuts, so it stands to reason, but I guess crazy loves company as much as misery.

The job is going well. The house is coming together. We have now transferred our attention to Jen’s house to make it ready to be sold in the spring.

I will close with a thought that I continue to live by. If every day you are here, you touch someone else’s life in a positive way, your life will continue to have meaning.
Here’s to another 47…