43

According to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the meaning of life is 42.  I’m not sure about this, but I’ve never read the Hitchhiker’s Guide, so I don’t really feel beholding to the notion.  I think the only reason I know this little factoid from that work of fiction is because the band, Level 42, explained their name that way.

As I peruse the many birthday wishes on my FB timeline today, I am pleased at the variety of connections represented.  Of course there are well-wishes from family, but there are also messages from people that I’ve known virtually all of my 43 years.  There are messages from grade school-mates, Jr. High and High School classmates, church camp and New Way Singers, College friends, fellow choir members, TS members, former jobs, past concert gigs, camp gigs, old band mates, churches, former and current church families, co-teachers, and even some acquaintances that have really become cyber-friends via the insane medium of Facebook.  All that to say that I am really proud that I have friends that I am thankful for from every season of my life.

As I think about the fact that today is my 43rd birthday, I am so amazed at how blessed I am that I’m hesitant to speak it aloud for fearing of jinxing it somehow.

But here are the facts:  I live with 3 beautiful girls who utterly possess my heart. They are happy and healthy and love me beyond reason. We laugh and play a lot and cannot justify the amount of joy that our home contains. Although, I would really like figure out how to be less fat and put some muscle on these old bones, just got a checkup where the Dr. punched a bunch of number into an iphone app and said that I have a 2.05% chance of kicking the bucket from stroke or heart attack in the next 10 years. That’s not too bad.  The two other women of my life, my mom and sister, are both happy and healthy and not too far away.  With the exception of losing Dad 20.5 years ago, I know that I am exceedingly lucky to enjoy the kind of relationship with my family that very few get to cherish.  I have the honor of working in a profession that really matters with the most awesome people. I live in a house I love in a neighborhood that I love and (currently) both of our vehicles are paid for and running! There’s food in the fridge and clothes in the closets.  I am truly astounded to tell Holly on nearly a weekly basis how much I love the faith community that we have become a part.  And now, after about 8 years of virtually self-induced musical retirement, I’m again being challenged to develop and adapt my skills into a new endeavor that can provide outlet and some additional compensation for years to come.  It’s been hard and frustrating and terrifying, but at this point, I feel so good about where I’m at and the challenge to continue progressing.

So, many have offered wishes for me to have a great day.  I don’t really know what that looks like since I have such a great life.

As I wrote this, I realized that my 42nd year would actually be the year I was 41.  So, I don’t know how to comment about 42 being the meaning of life.  At 43, I’m just amazed at how good I have it.