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Saturday, September 13, 2014

It Truly Is the Little Things...

Over the last few months, I've shared with you some of the health struggles I've faced and many of the ongoing battles with the Veteran's Administration.  I've shared my joys, my frustrations and even my pain and a couple of my innermost secrets, battles with depression.  So, in this weekend edition, I thought I'd continue that trend...but talk about some of the little things that really get me going.  I hope you enjoy.

A Text Message
Yes, something as simple as a little old text message can make the day a joyous time or it can frustrate the crap out of me.  Receiving a message from my son, Matt in Seattle, just makes me smile - he always ends it with, "I love you, Dad."  Sure, he's 34 and I'm 50, but damn it, it makes me happier than hell to get that message from the boy.  Our relationship hasn't always been stellar but the last couple years or so, it's really blossomed and I thank the heavens for it every day.  He's turned out to be one hell of a father himself, and according to his beautiful wife, Kristina, an excellent husband as well.    The same goes for Mason, Madison too.  A simple message from them and I am elated.

The Library
Yes, the public library.  I've grown fond of the public library, the people who frequent it and the history and essence of the library.  Each of one the books in the building represent a piece of someone's life - something that meant so much to them, they put pen to paper and shared with the rest of the world.  It's an amazing feeling to be surrounded with such work when you think about it that way.  Silly, I know, but I've grown to appreciate just how much effort really goes into the written word since I started work on my history, a book if you will.

Technology
Is technology one of those "little things?"  I think it is because it is so pervasive in our culture and yes, we often take it for granted - at least I know that I do.  Technology in many ways make our lives so much easier, but we're also dependent upon this same technology - hell, Facebook has become a subculture of its own in recent years.  Our smart phones are getting smarter, our ability to stay connected with folks who are thousands of miles away has become easy and frankly, I love every bit of it.

Smile From A Stranger
Have you ever just had a really shitty day and you walk into the grocery store, determined to get in and out quickly, leaving as few casualties as possible, only to see that one person looking at you with a familiar gaze and then, the inevitable happens:  They smile.  It's over.  No longer am I pissed off, no longer am I angry or frustrated, but it seems to wash away because that one person who could be struggling with an even more difficult life than I, but yet found the inner resolve to just smile.  It's refreshing.  I think we all need to do that more often.  Just mile at each other.

An Hour Without Pain
I know it sounds ridiculous, but going for periods of time without pain is an enormous joy and I can usually get a great deal accomplished in that time.  An hour without pain is a God-send.  It's been a long time since I've gone pain-free and every moment that I get, I cherish.

Not really sure why I decided to blog about these things, not sure that any of you reading this (or not reading this) will give a shit one way or the other what I think or feel.