The Big Five Oh

2021.  What a year.

It's 6:27 am and I've been soaking in the sounds of shea shanties, OTR, and several other old friends.  All while sipping another old friend, coffee :)

And now we're here in 2022, with another milestone (birthday) right around the proverbial corner.

50.

I'm recovering from my second bout of COVID as I write this. I'd be okay if I never got this again.

At some point, I suppose, someone can explain to me how you can get a sickness after having the vaccine.

And while I do understand that the vaccine does reduce the symptom's havoc (I can attest to this), it doesn't make it any easier.  

But for now, I am grateful. Grateful to be alive.  Grateful that this time around there was no hospital beds, no "I can't breathe moments." And more importantly, no $10K hospital bills to contend with.

Grateful.

As I come up on the big 5-0, I've thought a lot about time.  Seems that with children and grandchildren and jobs and fun and family (whew!), it all starts to run together.  And I've found myself reflecting more, pausing, soaking it all in. Or at least trying to.

Pausing, giving God thanks because the childhood I endured has culminated in this beautiful orchestra I call today.  

Here. 

Now.

Love abounds and where love lives, so does grace.  And to be honest, I don't know that I could be any happier, or life be fuller than what it is right now.

50.

Wow.

Seeing God's goodness, I can't say I am surprised.  But you have to admit. 50 years isn't too shabby.

With those years comes lessons learned, memories made, and my fair share of regret.

But most of all, gratefulness.

The healing power of music

I love the internet.

So many things you can find, at just the click of a button.  Here a jingle?  Ask Google.  Want to know the name of the song at the end of the Friends Finale?  Chrome'll tell you.

Music is just so - powerful?  There's alot of things that soothe an aching soul.  But music, it's such a great salve.

And there's so much out there.  I believe one of God's greatest gifts to us is music.  And the variety.  Of course, there's some crap out there, but there is also so much good.  And so many different types.  Seems that He brings the songs along I need to hear.

It's been a rough few days.  Wife was in the hospital, a seemingly innocent comment cut through my marrow to the bone.  That and running a million dollar business can take it's toll. Lately, it has been.

And if you don't take the time to recharge, you'll find yourself burning out real quick.

I love this blog.  I love the ability to write, to express, to share.  Life gets in the way, and I might not always make the time to write like I should, but I'll never stop completely

So much beauty in life if we just take a moment to see it.

Take a moment and enjoy this one

Loop it.  It's so much fun.

Spent alot of time in prayer these last few days.  It's been rough.

Sometimes it's hard to "be still."

Yet I'm reminded that we are all spiritual beings.  We bear the capacity to feel, to love, to care, share and comfort one another.

 Life is hard enough.  Choose to love one another.

So sit back, grab your favorite glass of whatever that may be.

And relax.

Thank God for the moment.  Breath deeply, and soak it in.

Forgot about tomorrow's troubles. They'll be here soon enough.

Rather, be thankful for the grace that got you thru today.

And let the healing begin.

Cheers.

P.S.  Here's another one of my favorites.   Called Willoughby by Over the Rhine.