I recently celebrated my 44th birthday (man, I can't believe I'd ever say that). This isn't a birthday post but I had to thank all of you for the birthday wishes. I didn't think I'd have as many as I got so it just shows the character of the people I get to associate with on a semi-regular basis. I also wanted to say it here because I didn't get to respond (or click the "like" button) for all of your posts.
New Year's Eve, and dad's birthday. 2014 has been an interesting ride: The legalization of marijuana, the NSA, Benghazi, same-sex marriage, Fort Hood, Donald Sterling, immigration, Ferguson, Ebola, Michael Brown, Bill Cosby, ISIS, the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, North Korea, "The Interview", Malaysian Airlines Flights 370 and 17, Vladimir Putin, Boko Haram, The World Cup, all the celebrity deaths (Robin Williams being the most notable), and all other newsworthy items.
Through it all, dad's been in a care facility so my birthday wishes have to be blogged.... okay, so they don't HAVE to be, but it reaches a wider audience this way and for some reason (probably some form of narcissism) I want people to know that I love my parents. They gave me a great childhood, so great that I still don't want to grow up. I'm sure there are other external factors but the Star Wars dress up is pretty cool and it's an awesome fountain of youth (at least emotionally).
Through my nerdiness (and coming from the nerdiest state in the country) I have made friendships that I wouldn't have otherwise. I've always known that I should treat everyone with respect (another product of dad). I'm a white mormon kid from Utah so after interacting with such a diverse group of people I've been able to put it into practice. I get to interact with people from multiple clubs and multiple walks of life and life stories. I'm blessed to have done so and I think everyone should be blessed with such an opportunity. I'd like to think that my experiences with the people there have diversified my outlook on life as well. An objective third party may be necessary to determine if I've been at all successful.
My greatest fear is that I'll eventually reach the age that I won't fit in there. It won't be because I'm shunned by any of the members - they're better than that. If it happens it'll be for health or financial reasons (I refuse to let age be a factor). I can't even fathom it would be because it stops being fun.
I have been blessed. There is no getting around that. I have had my challenges, to be sure - everyone has. I think the biggest mistake people make is that they have to face them alone. I know that sometimes the phrase "Let me know if we can help" sounds like nothing more than a trite platitude, but one of my resolutions is to use that phrase honestly. I can't help anyone much financially but if there IS anything I can do to help someone in a time of trial I won't offer up that phrase unless I can follow through.
I'm not big on resolutions. If you want to better yourself you don't have to wait until you have a new calendar to begin your attempts. If I can help there, PLEASE let me know. I'm all for self-betterment. One of the biggest sins I believe we are all guilty of is ingratitude. If someone deserves thanks, thank them. I hope I haven't slighted anyone of a sincere thank you but if I have I offer up an apology and a sincere thanks. I am the person I am today (for better or worse, but I'm working on better) as a result of all my life's experiences, and you all are a part of that, so THANK YOU.
I don't know why I feel the need to say this, but because I'm touting the subject of gratitude you'll never find me at a Black Friday sale mere hours after the holiday named THANKSGIVING. People have been injured and killed at these things so no matter what happens now a precedent has been set.
I usually find something I don't like in the way I've written something and I'll go back and edit it later. For now I'm feeling pretty lucid though, so I'll conclude now. As tomorrow is the beginning of a new year I'll leave you with a message that can apply at any time. It's from the Donny and Marie show in the 70's so I'll just post the lyrics. If you're a glutton for punishment you can youtube it. ;)
May tomorrow be a perfect day
May you find love and laughter along the way
May God keep you in his tender care,
'til he brings us together again.
Adieu.
