Time To Count My Blessings In This Incredible Life

Sorry I have been away so long. Time, commitments, life, etc. have all contributed; that and a bit of apathy to write. I have not been inspired to write, until I went to church last week (Wesley United Methodist for those keeping score) and the sermon had me thinking. The sermon was about Mark and how Jesus let the younger children come to him and said basically that we need to look at the world with the eyes of a child and sense of wonderment. It made sense.

I know I could carry on and on with some medical transgressions I have had, but that would be fairly boring; yet one would be remised if one did not notice that I have survived some fairly incredible odds with somewhat experimental open heart surgery in 1964 at the age of two months and again at seven years old in 1972 and a massive stroke in 2009. Still I am fine and that should cause anyone some amount of wonder.

That aside, I have led a fairly incredible life.

I went to the Super Bowl in 2006.

I met many of my favorite football players in the likes of Tom Waddle, Doug Buffone, Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Jim Harbaugh, Jim Morrisey, Hunter Hillenmeyer, and Kevin Butler.

I actually met, chatted with, and had dinner with one of my all-time inspirational people in Adam West.

I met and flirted with Julie Newmar.

I have seen some of my all-time favorite musicians in concert such as Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Jethro Tull, Steve Earle, BOC, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Brian Setzer, Bob Dylan, John Hiatt, The BoDeans, and countless others.

I have sampled some truly wonderful tastes in some unique beers from all over the world.

I have read some of the greatest literature ever. From Shakespeare to Poe and beyond, I have read passages into the soul of humanity.

I have read and own some of the greatest artifacts of popular culture ever in comics. I highly recommend Batman 251 (Joker’s Five Way Revenge), The Killing Joke Graphic Novel, Amazing Spider-man 121-122 (Death of Gwen Stacy), and Dark Knight Returns to savor.

I have awesome friends who respect, tease, and build me up.

I have the best job in the word teaching the best students ever. My career is perfect.

I have been blessed with some unique pets—Pepto the intelligent cat, Foggy the kindest cat ever, Guinness the most emotional cat ever, Chumley the friendliest cat ever, and Babette, the most independent cat ever. They all touch my personality in some unique way.

I have been blessed with a loving and supportive family who have gone through thick and thin with me. My parents set a positive and hard-working tone on the three of us and deserve credit for raising pretty intelligent and industrious kids in a difficult time 91960s and 1970s and 1980s). My sister is incredibly kind and passionate. Her husband is a gentle guy and her kids are very respectful and kind. My brother is probably the most giving person ever and I am a better person having him as an older brother. His wife is a treasure.

I have a beautiful wife who loves me and who supports me. She is also incredibly gorgeous, incredibly intelligent, and more tolerant than she should be. Being a knowledgeable Bear fan helps me more than ever, as I have a football partner for life.

People need to spend more time counting their blessings and less time whining. Next time something more whiney, I promise.