It's a Wonderful Life

In almost exactly six months, I will celebrate my 25th anniversary to my wife, Dena.  Today, was a nice day in Kentucky; close to 55 degrees and I would like to take a motorcycle ride.  I drive around in a 1995 Honda Accord with 250,000 plus miles that has Belmont and "runner dude" stickers on the window and I am not sure how long the car will keep running. Spring break is coming up in a few weeks.  One of my sons goes to a college that is known throughout the United States for it's music program.  My other son will be heading to college in the Fall of 2012.

So what's the common denominator with all of these seemingly unrelated things?  Well, all of these things require money and, compared to my career pay scale, I am nowhere close to the top of where I have been.  In other words, I don't have any extra money right now.  It's easy to feel sorry for myself, but not as bad as I feel for not being able to do some things that I would like to do with my family.  I want to take a train ride with Dena to the Rockies for our anniversary.  I would like to get her a ring for putting up with me for 25 years.  I would like to have a motorcycle and take rides with the boys, or my parents, or my brother. I need three new cars.  Not new cars but "newer" cars.  I don't have much longer that the boys will be around and I want to cherish the times we have together and I would like to share a special Spring Break with them, like the "old" days.

But, I have to step back realize what I do have.  And for those things I am grateful and thankful.  I have a job that I can do very well with very little stress.  My family is in good health.  Spencer is really doing well with music and is pursuing his passion.  Josh is running strong and fast and is becoming a solid young man.  My wife is supportive and strong and still loves me after all these years, although it has not been easy at times I know.  The cars are still running.  And the boys will be able to get an education to jump start their careers.

And really, we don't need as much money as we have.  We eat out when I go home on weekends.  We buy "clean", fresh, healthy food for Josh to help him with his athletics.  We live in a beautiful neighborhood, in a cozy townhome.  I stay in an awesome camper throughout the week. The cell phones that my family have are incredible.  We have all the "necessities" to make things work. More than almost all of the human population on earth.

And...my boys still hug me when I see them after being gone and they tell me they love me.  We have wonderful meals together when I am home.  I talk to my parents more than I used to on the phone.  I like taking rides in the country on lazy Sundays.  I love enjoying nature and being out in the woods.  Nothing beats a good campfire on a cool evening.  And the stars at night.  And thunderstorms.  And laying in a nice bed with my wife at the end of a day and just talking, and planning, and remembering.

It's true what they say about the best things in life being free.