Today the page turns to 48.

The year that was now behind.

The open-heart surgery;

the subpoena;

the testimony that had nothing and everything to do with our family;

the biopsy that went my way, the reminder that bodies keep the score of generations past,

and then the teetering on the edge of balance only to discover a boot would now be my friend, pain instead of solace found in the run.

An angry proclamation screamed to the man upstairs, “Hasn’t there been enough to endure?”.

Instantly reminded that there is no giant scorecard. No victory check mark to equal out those in the defeat column.

And well if there was I would surely find all of the goodness, all of the love I have received far outweighs the hard.

Oh Lord how lovely this life!

This farm,

this family,

these friends

and this body

all of which allow me to follow the call.

While year 48 would love more happy than hard, I do believe I have been given the most beautiful world in which to exist.

Raising a glass to 365 more chances to live in joy.