A Grateful Pirate

So it has fallen again, the day of my birth. In borrowing from the Jimmy Buffet song, "A Pirate Looks at Forty", I have been writing things as such on my birthday since I can't remember. Hmmmmmmm. I'm 39 today.

Yesterday, I did water aerobics at our pool. It was pretty much like you would imagine water aerobics to be. Mostly elderly people. I had thoughts as I was treading water about various ways this could funny; but I was struck by the kindness of the people, and the fun they were having. Lots of laughter, and kidding. Not just laughter and kidding, but childish stuff. It was like being around children in old people suits. It was cool.

And yes part of me thought, "Hell your almost 39 years old; you should be playing hockey somewhere. You should be running, really working out." Honestly though, the bulk of me (and there is too much bulk), thought, "I'm just grateful to be here, and to have this opportunity to work out and relax. My wife and kids are near me, and their happy. Who cares."

Don't get me wrong, I live to rant about stuff. I hate answering machines that blather on and on.

"Hello you have reached bla, bla, bla. We regret that we can't come to the phone bla bla bla
but if you'll leave your bla bla at the bla". Ten minutes later the automated voice gives you options. Options? Really? "To page this person...." If I wanted to "page this person", I would have, oh I don't know.... PAGED THEM. "To send this message as urgent" Guess what, if this message was urgent; its too freakin late, Timmy has fallen down the well and Lassie was hit by a car trying to run for help. Unfortunately the motorist was texting someone and didn't see him.
I could go on but you get the gist.

So where was I; oh yeah, one step closer to forty. Again, I love to whine, but lets look at the facts. I have a job, a wonderful wife, and two amazing children, who just get more amazing every day. Not only am I healthy enough to swim with them, I am blessed to have the time to. As far as friends are concerned, I am truly one of the richest men alive. I have the best friends you could ask for. People that have supported me, nurtured me, tolerated me, and made me a better person. Which is saying something, when it comes to me; cause I'm way over rated.

Not to get dramatic, but we live in world of suffering. This is a tough time for so many. Our country is experiencing what I can only describe as growing pains. We have so many people with so much, and even more with so little. We have the technology to pinpoint it, and identify it, but we are still behind the curve in terms of fixing it. I often wonder if things have always been as they are; and that we are the same puppets on the same stage as our forefathers, and their forefathers before them. Rather, the only difference in then and know being our ability to see our frailties. Metaphorically its the same old humanity, just standing in front of a much clearer mirror.

I could ramble on, but I have things to do. I would simply say to those of you that peruse this blog, thank you and god bless you.

Sincerely,

A Grateful Pirate