Life Is Good

I'm always reminded that life is good by my casual wardrobe. Somewhere along the line I acquired a Life Is Good shirt and since then I've received many more "Jake" shirts for my birthday or Christmas.

Life really is good, especially when one has the time to enjoy it. Last week I drove up to Grand Rapids, Michigan (15 hours each way) to visit my children and grandchildren for a few days. This is my all time favorite pastime. The thought of seeing them on a regular basis made my decision to retire early easy. I figured my work would never make me rich anyway but as long as I had enough money to drive up and down I-75 then I would be OK. I never regret that decision.

In GR I stayed with Dennis and Kathy and watched Kylie, Brittany and Mariah play soccer, although Mariah was sidelined with a concussion. Its fortunate they are all in high school together and all play on the Varsity soccer team. By the time Kylie reads this she will be all done with high school and getting ready to attend Grand Valley State University. Congrats to Kylie. It's always comfortable at Dennis and Kathy's and I get to stay in Brent's room. I enjoy being close to the things and home he enjoyed so much in his short life. Also pleasurable was the dessert pigout at Russ' Restaurant.

I caught up with Derek at his work (auto repair shop) and I was pleasantly surprised to see little Alex running around out back. That brief interlude was short lived as his Grandma Becker (Susie)and Phil picked him up for the day. Derek works long hours so I scheduled a dinner date at Cheer's for later in the week with him, Christy, Alex. I enjoy seeing Christy and observe her interacting with Alex. She is a good teacher for Alex, as is Derek who demonstrates a lot more patience with Alex then I ever had with him (Derek).

I also stopped at Dana's house and saw his latest dwarf trees, orchids, and new (Craig's List) dog, Sam Morley. Dana surprised me with two jugs of real homemade Michigan maple syrup - Yum. We also went to dinner and at the last minute his girlfriend, Paula, made plans to meet us downtown at the restaurant. This was my first time meeting Paula and we had some great dinner conversation. She and Dana make a nice couple and enjoy many interests together.

I'm looking forward to seeing them all next week at Naomi and Louie's wedding. I will be in heaven, surrounded Dennis and Kathy, Derek and Christy, Dana and Paula, and the four grandchildren; Kylie, Brittany (who will turn 17 on the day they arrive), Mariah and Alex; and Leo and Tracy who will both make the trip in from California and, of course, the two honorees. What more could a man ask for! Life is Good!

Actually, Life Is Great! I am so fortunate to have a wonderful wife to share life with. We will be married for 17 years this June and I'm so grateful she overlooks my faults and idiosyncrasies and lets me be "me". Add to that the love offered me by my children, step-children and grand-children, and I'd say I am a very, very fortunate and blessed person.