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So…..would you do it again?  I despise the question.  First off, the question centers around a point or issue that is for every practical purpose mute.  Unless of course, H.G. Wells’ Time Machine was not just a science fiction novella but in all actuality the genius blueprint for actual time travel.  Bear in mind we are talking about life decisions here.  If I decide in a momentary lapse of reason to ride the twist til I puke whirly bird spinning teacup of death at the county fair and by some act of God himself am able to step off of said ride without puking and someone asks, “So…would you do it again?” Well, then I can see how “would you do it again?” may be a fair question.  If you are actually asking me to repeat something I am fully capable of repeating then sure, ask away.  All’s fair.  If, however, you pose the question as it relates to some decision I have made during the course of my lifetime that has obviously affected my current state of being…your question is ridiculous, shallow and shows me that you put no more thought into meaningful conversation than the thought you put into selecting the socks you are currently wearing.

Really!  I can not do it again.  Whether I want to or whether I do not.  It is behind me now and like it or not, I am unable to change the events of the past or for practical matters repeat them.  Upon graduating high school, I like most of my peers went to college.  I chose a state school and pursued a degree in art appreciation.  (Close to home and I listened to a lot of music.)  Would I do it again?  Mute!  It’s done and like it or not, I am unable to alter the path I have walked.  This post is not about my chosen path of enlightenment, though.  It is a far more serious, more meaningful life choice and one I am also thrilled to report that I am happy I made.

For you see, eight years ago today, Y2K, 01-01-00, January 1, 2000, the first day of the new millennium, the dawning of Aquarius, I prepared myself for what the twenty first century would mean to me in a truly extra ordinary way.  I married the most wonderful woman in the world.  That’s right.  I poo-pooed every naysayer that felt Y2K was basically an acronym for the apocalypse and got myself hitched.  To my good fortune the doomsdayers were wrong and I have spent the last eight years blissfully wed to my best friend.

In the past eight years I have cried.  I have laughed much more.  I have fallen and been helped back up.  I’ve moved, traveled, stayed put, won, lost, welcomed loved ones and mourned others.  I’ve seen floods and fires, tornadoes and hurricanes.  I’ve torn down and I’ve built back up.  I have been transformed.  I am not the same person I was eight years ago.  Wholly to my wife’s credit and diligence I am a better man.  As with any relationship there have been valleys but never a chasm too deep from which to return.  And there have been mountains from which I never wanted to return.

“So…..would you do it again?”

I repeat, the question is mute!  When it comes to an earnest evaluation of life choices, I feel the more appropriate question should be, “So…..any regrets?”  One of my all time goals in life is to live in such a way that I can honestly say after careful review that I have no regrets.  It’s not an easy task.  But in my opinion, to honestly answer the question requires one to look deep within and evaluate not just the action, the decision, the choice but the consequences that making such decision have had in your own life.  Not only does the question make me believe that you actually care about my answer, but it makes me have to actually think and care about the answer I give you.

Now, let’s try this again.  “So….any regrets?”

Well, yeah.  Just one.  I regret that it took so long for us to meet.  That so much of my life had passed before I was allowed to become a part of yours.  I am a better man because of you.  Just think what you could have done with an extra ten years—-I could be king of the world.

“You have made me the happiest man in the world.  My only wish, my desire, is that you give me the opportunity to do the same for you.”  Honey, your are still my life, my love and the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.

Happy Anniversary!

I Love You!

The leaves have started in an ever so subtle way to change their colors and break free from the branches that have sustained their tiny lives since the spring when they blossomed forth.  No longer are my children able to walk silently through the yard as now leaves crunch loudly beneath their feet.  OK, so my kids, to the best of my recollection, have never walked silently through the yard.  Remember that scene in Stripes when the platoon is running like banshees through the woods as they tackle the confidence course.  That is my kids in the yard at all times.  The piles of leaves grow larger with each passing day. Happens every year.  I love this time of year for the inevitable changing of the season is not only visible, but it is audible and tangible.  You can even smell fall in the air as the cooler air undoubtedly spurs the weekend bonfires and burning leaf piles.  Yes, the season is changing and with summer’s passing I am also able to joyfully mark another equally admirable feature of the fall season.

My wife is celebrating her birthday today, September 21.  I have spent the past several months giving you, dear reader, some insight into who I am and who my kids are.  I have not been very divulging with information about my wife but rest assured she is without a doubt the single most important person in the world to me.  She is a fabulous mother and an extraordinary wife.  She is my best friend and my limited ability at self expression in no manner does justice to the true and genuine love that I feel for her.

So on this day I thought I would give you just the slightest bit of insight, an introduction if you will to the most amazing person I know.  Read carefully and you’ll know how many candles to light in her honor.

immeasurable passion relentless forgiving Zoë fun loving football fanatic educator healer sister mother wife friend Zane daughter adventurous strong caring compassionate driven wild Zia happy meticulous carefree spontaneous surprising inspiring calming Zander reassuring supportive giving example faithful devout advocate Zella whimsical thankful artistic bold soft powerful loved

Happy Birthday, Honey.  I Love You!!