51 (“I’m Okay”)

As my day winds down and Augie, snuggling beside me, sings, “I’m okay”…I am reminded just how blessed I have been during my 51 years.

And just how blessed I still am.

On this birthday, I am not as thoughtful as some. 2015 has provided some fairly high levels of stress, and that continues in some areas. A contributor to the stress is my lack of self-confidence…I hate to disappoint (and mentally it is easy for me to assume I have). That’s why, heading to and from this year’s American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, a song I don’t remember ever hearing before from Styx was especially heartening. Just happens to be the song Augie was just singing, “I’m Okay.” 🙂

‘Cause I’m O.K.
I finally found the person I’ve been searching for
I’m alright
I’m feeling good about myself and that’s for sure

Now, as a Christian I’m fully aware there is plenty about me that is not okay; I am reminded of it daily. And sure, Styx’s tune is probably some positive thinking foof, but it spoke to me last Saturday, and it speaks to me today.

I am thankful for breakfast at The Patio Cafe with my wife and seven year-old. I am thankful there is a school nearby that Augie swung at. I am thankful for the Strasburg water tower. I am thankful that I could pay the bills I did. I am thankful I was able to do volunteer work for Pine Knoll Publications. I am thankful I was able to grab some onion rings at a food trailer while I looked for a place to get a haircut. I am thankful a local stylist was able to sneak me in. I am thankful for the e-mails, texts, and Skype and FaceTime calls I got from family. I am thankful for the great dinner I had at The Pizza Shop. I am thankful for friends that visited for dinner and cake. I am thankful for the two Estes rockets we launched. I am thankful we found both afterward. 🙂 I am thankful for the cake and ice cream we ate. I am thankful for the cool clouds we just saw and the thunderstorm we are listening to. I am thankful for the over 100 Happy Birthdays I got on Facebook.

And that is just today!

I am thankful for all of you who will read this post: family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, or even somebody I have never met (and will never meet).

Thank you God. Thanks to you, I am 51 and I’m okay. 🙂

P.S. In case you are interested in Styx’s song:

(Cross-posted on Traditores.)