I'm not generally a maudlin person...

Saturday, December 22, 2007

... but some days I wake up and feel overwhelmed by the number of good things in my life.

For example, I have ...

..... children who gave my life meaning and direction
..... the expected health of a 61-year-old, not bad, could be better
..... grandchildren who give me a 2nd chance to enjoy a child's youth
..... a husband who loves me and keeps me going in the right direction
..... a brother who inspires me
..... sisters-in-law I respect
..... friends who are loyal
..... enemies who don't matter
..... fewer nightmares
..... enough memories to call upon when I need them
..... outlets for my ego
..... curiosity
..... the same values my parents tried to instill in me when I was young
..... a belief I would give my life for
..... the potential of every new day

I have a few regrets but the important ones fall under the category of

..... Wish I hadn't said, or done, that.
..... I wish I had not disappointed my oldest child; I miss having a relationship with her.
..... Wish I had set a better example for my kids.
..... There's probably going to be no trips to Alaska, Cornwall, Switzerland or Australia as I had hoped, but that's why God made TV and books.

My suggestion to everyone is to live your life as if this was truly the last chance chance you have to do or say anything meaningful.

I wouldn't worry about doing something fun because "fun" wears off so fast, like lipstick after you eat a muffin.

What will be meaningful for me today will be to tell my loved ones how good they made my life.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!