My Fellow Pilgrims

Fifteen Years

Time flies far too fast.  It was fifteen years ago tonight I took an old girlfriend and since-then friend to my fraternity formal my senior year of college.  That night it struck me what a dolt I was and decided to remedy the situation quickly.  We were engaged by the end of the year, and married a year later than that.  Thank God and Stephanie for second chances.  What a wild ride.  Love you, Steph.

My girls got older a bit yesterday

It's the little thanksgivings that make up a life,
the ones you don't really waste a breath on
to anyone else but God.
Yesterday was one of those highwater moments
that I almost let slip by,
but glad to have a few minutes today to
stop,
pause,
reflect,
and be glad.

My dearest, Stephanie,
got another year older.
She got some cake,
a bracelet,
another night vertical in the Lazy Boy trying to sooth the baby.

My dearest, Selah,
got another month older.
She got some cuddles,
some milk,
another night snuggling Mom, soothing her restlessness.

Apart, it was not that big a deal.
Together, as my girls got older a bit yesterday,
I could not be more thankful,
more glad,
more filled with joy over the things that seem so small.

Warmth.
Dryness.
Rest.
Steady work.
Steady pay.
A noble calling.
A loving and supportive family.
It is not what I would have painted perfection (wholeness)to be
earlier in life
but I wouldn't trade it for a thing.

Not for a thing.
AMEN

13 Years

Kind of crazy how fast time goes. I have been married 13 years as of today. A lot of water has gone under this bridge. I have often said that marriage was the Best Mistake I have ever made. Note it is the Best, not the Biggest. I mean best, because of all the wonderful lessons I have learned about myself, life, love, forgiveness. I mean mistake, because if I had been forewarned about all the changes, lessons, prices, and tolls it takes, I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to say, "I do." I thought I knew what those words meant, but I am learning that I am still learning what those words meant and mean, and slowly I am growing into them. Thanks Steph for the patience. Thanks Steph for the years. You are quite a woman, and I love you more and more as the days go by. Happy Anniversary.