Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky I am?

I love Dr. Seuss books! They are always packed with meaning for readers at any level. The titles of Dr. Seuss' books are sometimes even more compelling and extremly thought provoking (at least to me).

My birthday was this week -- my 53rd. It was really just like any other day until around 7:00 p.m., my family started to arrive. First Elliott, Annie, and Ross; then Haley and James; then the grandparents; then Karl and Willie came home from football practice; then came Chris and Jerry, Meranda and Parker, and Jackie. Before long there was a nice little party going on. Nothing really planned, all who came -- came on their own. We had cake and ice cream, watched Elliott giggle and roll around on the floor, and more than anything just enjoyed each others company. It was a very nice evening. At the end of the day, I had the title of one of my favorite Dr. Suess books on my mind. Hmm . . .

Birthdays are much more than a time for celebration -- for me, these past few years, they have presented a time for reflection -- reflection on just how lucky I am . . . , and this birthday was no exception.

Did ever tell you how lucky I am to have such a great family? One husband, two daughters, one son, two sons-in-law, one GRANDSON, parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, a mother-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and others I probably forgot to mention. I am lucky to have membership in the only true Church, an education, good neighbors and friends (through church and work), high ideals and values, self-worth, good health, family members with good health, a welcoming home (with an open-door policy), food in the freezer and in the pantry ready for the table at any time, an open heart, willingness to serve others in any way, . . .

I am so blessed and sooo very lucky --

So, to paraphrase Dr. Suess
When I was quite young
and quite small for my size,
I met an old man in the Desert of Drize.
And he sang me a song I will never forget.
At least, well, I haven't forgotten it yet.

He sat in a terribly prickly place.
But he sang with a sweet smile on his face:
When you think things are bad,
When you feel sour of blue, when you start to get mad . . .
You should do what I do!

Just tell youself, Duckie,
you are really quite lucky!
Some people are much more . . .
oh, ever so much more . . .
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!

Thank goodness for all the things I am not!
Thank goodness I am not something someone forgot,
and left all alone in some punkerish place
like a rusty tin coat hanger hanging in space.

That's why I say
Never grumble! Never stew!
No critter around is as lucky as you!