Idle Thoughts on a Tuesday Afternoon

I don't really have time to be reflective as the work continues to pile up on my desk, but sometimes I just have to let things slide for a few minutes.

This morning, as I walked across the parking lot between the car and my office building -- this is what passes for a nature walk today -- I thought, what a beautiful day. The sky is clear and blue. It's pleasant and cool with a slight breeze. It reminds me of another October 9th, one just like this one 14 years ago when I married my wife.

As I told my wife this morning, thanks for 14 years of putting up with my shit. I don't know how she does it. She makes it looks so easy. And, I'm telling you, it ain't. She, on the other hand, is a dream.

A lot has changed in 14 years. Some of the people there that day aren't around anymore. Last night at dinner, my wife talked about her mom, who would have been 79 yesterday. And I thought about my Dad last night as I watched the Cowboys pull off a miracle. I always have an urge to pick up the phone and call him after a big game, then I remember I can't anymore.

This morning as I thought about 1993, I remembered my nephew bumming quarters from me for video games after the rehearsal dinner. I can't believe that little kid is now a Marine officer about to ship out for Iraq. How did that happen?

Things change. Kids grow up. Friends move away. People die. That's life. But some things are the same as they ever were. Like my wife's smile, a funny remark from a friend, or a crisp, clear fall day. And that's life, too.