Sorta stole that from a movie title. (Too bad)

I’ve seen some shit. Well not really, but that sounds cool to say. I’ve been through some shit too. That’s true. And maybe others have been through worse, but this is about me, so cut me some slack.

40 fucking years. My first blog was a year ago, I haven’t come remotely close to keeping up with it, but oh well. Still. 40 years.

I don’t feel different.

Maybe I’m sore more, but I can’t really tell. I’ve been sore a lot for a long time. All out, all the time, repercussions later. That’s pretty much how I’ve lived. Not always smart. Not even always intentional, but it is what it is. I haven’t been completely reckless. I’m not now, nor have I ever been an addict to anything that could kill me. Except @aliciahiggison but I’m pretty sure I’m safe there. (Pretty sure, but definitely look into it if anything fishy happens to me.)

I’ve lived a good life and I’m not ready to leave any of it behind right now. My daughters are clearly my greatest accomplishment. They’ve been growing up so well and to be honest, even when they drive me nuts, I couldn’t be more proud of them than I am. (Until the next cool thing they do.) I’m proud of them. And I’m proud of how Alicia and I have raised them. We’ve done a great job. And we’ve done it together. We have this amazing knack for always picking up where the other left off. Or dropped off. LOL Sanity can come and go as a parent at times, if you don’t already know that. The teen years are approaching faster than I could have imagined, but I’m not as scared as they say (or I sometimes say), I should be. We’ll be good. But more importantly, they will be.

And what of that beautiful wife of mine? We’ve grown. So, so much. She makes me prouder everyday she grows in her work life and as an individual. I could stand by her side for anything. I’d be happy being a step back. The Bill to her Hillary if you like. She’s amazing. I told her the other day that the way I feel can’t be described without being corny because it’s the only way it makes sense to say it. When I see her, my heart explodes. I love coming home from work or wherever, to her. I just do. I can and do have fun whenever I’m without her, but I’ll be damned if I don’t wonder on occasion if it wouldn’t be just a little more fun with her.

Back to just me. Is there even a “just me” as a husband and father? Hard to see it, but there is. I’m proud of me. I’m good at what I do. Fuck that. I’m really good at what I do. What I do may not be that special to some. And my clients may occasionally treat me like I’m worthless, but that’s on them. I’m pretty damn important. I’m successful and I’m well paid. I’m helping people get through their lives and training them on what they need to know and how to keep moving forward into the future.

I’m also helping mold people for their futures. Training them for their “real” lives. The ones that come after post secondary education and part time jobs. And the ones that are already there? We offer each other life advice and make our everyday life a little more enjoyable. Jobs are jobs, but finding a way to enjoy them means a lot.

So this is 40? I’m good with it. I’m going to enjoy the next ten and make the most of them. Travel more. Enjoy them more. Let go of the past more. I leave you with these three quotes.

“The future is perfect. The past is always tense.” – but you know what? The future isn’t perfect. It’s just unwritten. And the past isn’t always tense either. Live today. Enjoy living. Love life.

“Be good to yourself. And to others.” – we need so much more of this than we get.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – can’t not quote “The Great One”.

Cheers.