"baby, it's cold outside..."

I remember the first time I heard that song...Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart in a duet. Go figure. Although it is a much loved song of an earlier era, Dolly and Rod revived it for a new generation. Bravo, although it is still the most confusing song of all time.

I am glancing out the back bay window and it is raining, slowly, like an intermittent drizzle from clouds that can't make up their mind. Once again, it is cold...but of course, it is January in Arkansas and it should be cold outside.

Inside, it's warm, the way a home should be in January. The fire is dancing in the fireplace and my family and I are enjoying this day together. The satisfaction of a warm meal and the aftertaste of a piece of homemade lemon pie still lingers within me. Sam, our hilarious little Jack Russel, is enjoying our company as he bounces back and forth between all of us, trying to find a place to land and cuddle.

Yes baby, it's cold outside...and all is well.

Birthday Blessings

Although a week and a day has past since my birthday, tonight was the celebration with my wonderful wife and awesome friends that made #41 bearable.

For me, the yearly birthday recognition hasn't always brought good memories. When I was younger, my mom would always fix the meal of my choice and my dad's cousin Onlso, the 2nd highest decorated soldier in WWII (second only to Audi Murphy, his friend) would always bake my birthday cake. Presents weren't a requirement, nor were they usually given. Just a meal accompanied by the traditional out of tune "happy birthday to you...", make a wish and blow out the candles...Sometimes, my dad was there...sometimes he wasn't. After all, if it wasn't his birthday, he didn't put much stock in it, physically or emotionally...that was just his way.

After getting married and becoming a parent, birthdays became very special to me. My wife grew up in a home where birthdays were always celebrated as VERY special events, and with her encouragement (and the determination to give my son the joys that weren't readily available to me) we have attempted to make those once a year events memorable. After all, who can resist the smiles and laughter of a one year old digging into his own cake, and subsequently smearing it all over his beautiful round face?

Later in my life, #32 was the most painful, and although I didn't think I would live to see 33, God's grace and the love of my family and friends proved yet once again that what man sometimes means for evil, God means for good...and that brings us to 41.

I honestly don't feel 41...my mind keeps telling me that I am still 25, although I will admit that the misguided mind begins to give in to the demands of a somewhat older body. Tonight was so special, unlike any that I have ever experienced. The party began at 6:30 and lasted until 10:30 (although our age began showing at 9:30 when we all seemed to begin yawning in unison!) The food was exquisitely prepared by unbelievably special friends, and the company that joined us was just as delightful...I expressed to one of them that this was the group of people that I wanted to be at my deathbed when that time came, if I am so privileged.

We all are blessed to have such days that are shared with such friends and loved ones. My prayer is that you can be as blessed as I am right at this moment.

Happy birthday to you....and me.