July 14th saw the birth of my second daughter, Sydney Ellen Kelly. Today, I turn 33. Making it to 33 is no longer much of an achievement in the modern western hemisphere, what with our incredible medical care, educational system, public transportation, Patriot Act... Oh wait...
Anyway, upon turning 33, I will not wax poetic about wonderful memories of years past or launch into verse about our as-yet-undiscovered future. It's been enough for me the last few days to simply enjoy the moment, to look for beauty in things. To listen for the "i love yous" from my family. To hold another new life in my hands. To know what it is to be truly blessed.
After so many botched New Year's Resolutions, I'm not really thinking about the next year ahead, or my weight, how much garbage and recycling we have to put out this week, or even how much I still owe on the mortgage. I'm thinking of how much I take for granted. How often I spend more than I have (time, money, you name it) on... on... things. Too much time working in the garage? Working on the various businesses? Studying? Napping? Where does the time go?
OK. Maybe I did look back and look forward a bit. But I'm so excited about what the future has to offer... friends, family, faith, and fun. Maybe I'll just post the lyrics of the song that's running through my mind right now...
Tim McGraw: My Next Thirty Years
I think I'll take a moment celebrate my age
End of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years
In my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done
Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears
And I'll do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years I'm gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I'm doin' here in my next thirty years
For my next thirty years I'm gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I'll remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years
Yeah... and it's definitely time this web site got a makever!!