I have with me this evening a funny memory… I recall being scolded as a child “you better count your blessings, young man”.

Those words never really made a lot of sense as a child. I understand so much more now, of course. I understand much more deeply now what losses and hardships my parents likely experienced as children. And I understand that they offered me and my sisters a lot of love, and were likely dismayed to see us do what all children tend to do from time to time, complain.

I guess this is part of the reason I smile tonight when I hear them saying this to me in my memory. I know it was all just part of the path we walked together. How little did I ever truly realize that the real blessing was just having them near me in time and space.

It’s a painful lesson to learn, but if I can keep it close to my heart and synchronize with it to enjoy my time with my own children all that much more, then it has been worth the pain.

And the truth of the matter is that it is a blessing to be with anyone. To receive a smile, hear their voice, get an email sent from them… friends, lovers, family, new acquaintances, and even strangers. When you melt away all the white noise and chaos of our day to day lives, it really is all that matters… that connectedness we feel - or want to feel so deeply in our souls.

One of the reasons I wanted to write this blog this year was to spend some time observing all the gifts in my life.

So it may have taken me a while longer than my father would have liked, but I am here to tell you, I am finally “counting my blessings” :)