Lucky Guy

I'm a lucky guy. This may be a rambling post but it needs to be said. I am so very lucky in so many ways in my life. First there is my family. Rose has stood by me, helped me, supported me, corrected me, yelled at me, comforted me and loved me pretty much since our first date on March 31, 1967 as sophomores in high school. She was a great mother to our daughters. She taught them skills, patiently (most of the time) cooked and did crafts with them. She read to them, took them to church, comforted them when they were sick and stood by them in some very tough times. She practiced tough love at times but loved them deeply all the time.

I'm lucky to have three great daughters. They are special people in their own unique ways. They are strong willed but caring. They each made their own path in the world. They love each other and love us. They are loyal to their friends and family and brave enough to give them hell when its needed. They are curious and like to learn. Each has earned a master's degree...and on their own dime! They are good human beings and the world is better with them in it.
There are two sons-in-law that deserve mention as well. They are both good people who love their our daughters and grandchildren. They survived my scrutiny in the early years and are people that I genuinely like.

I'm lucky to have eight healthy, beautiful grandchildren who are growing up in caring and loving homes. Each of them shines their own unique light when they smile, laugh or cry. They are energetic and curious and the ones who are old enough to have friends show their friends kindness. They seem to genuinely like us and give the best hugs in the world.

I'm a lucky guy. Despite Rose losing both of her parents and I lost my dad, my mother is around to enjoy her extended family. We were so fortunate to have both sets of great-grandparents alive (and still married to each other!) for the birth of their first great-grandchild. Our parents gave us good, living homes with boundaries and discipline.

I'm so lucky to have had such positive and significant other adults in my life. I had teachers who cared. I lived in a small town where untold numbers of good adults watched over me and did a thousand little, mostly unseen, things to help me and keep me out of trouble. I worked for two wonderful families while I grew up...the Carys and the Mayers. They taught me the virtue of hard work and hard play. Jim and George coached me in baseball and gave me countless opportunities to practice being a man. Their families touched my life forever. I had another set of surrogate parents, the Nortons, who did more than they will ever know to help me, teach me and model what it meant to be a good person. Their sons, Dale and Ken, remain friends to this day.

I'm lucky to have had good friends. Our years in Harbor Beach remain the best and most memorable for me as an adult. It was a special place for us. There are many good friends but two stand out for their special impact on me. Pat Coakley and Roger Finlan are the two best. They are the kind of friends who add life stories that we never forget. I love them.

I'm lucky in so many other ways. It amazes me that a kid from near the projects in Bronson actually grew up to be a school superintendent for 22 years. I was lucky enough to be one of only 57 ISD superintendents in the state. I've worked with good people over the years and can literally number on just one hand workmates whom I'm not glad to have known. And even they taught me so much about life. I'm lucky to have a solid retirement and health benefits. Especially in these very tough times I thank God everyday for my good fortune.

I'm a lucky guy. I've taken some great solo motorcycle trips and have not had any accidents. I've met great people, saw beautiful country and had mostly good weather doing it. I'm so lucky. Rose actually took a part time job to help buy my first motorcycle for my 50th birthday!

My hair keeps thinning and falling out. I have to take blood pressure and pee pills. My back hurts all the time. I'm overweight, have dry skin, have to wear glasses and had this stupid, nagging cough for over 30 years that is only diagnosed as non-specific chronic rhinitis. I whine more than I should. I'm often lazy and don't help around the house as I should. I certainly did not give my kids the time they deserved when they were growing up. Many times I was not so supportive of Rose when she needed it. I know I let my parents down more than a few times. I've not always stood up and done the right thing when it needed to be done. I've chickened out of a few fights when I should have stood my ground.

I don't really deserve what I have but I'm so very thankful. I'm a lucky guy.