Today is my birthday. Just a mile marker on the road of life. A point in time to reflect on, and inflect on your decisions. Some were commendable to keep me safe, and some of which were perplexing and vexing as in not making any, for deep engraved fears on it’s consequences.

Everyone, for the most part, is out there, jostling, struggling, fighting, working, rushing, pushing, desiring and longing to do things; to get somewhere. So much to achieve. So little time. The turmoils of this world is continual. We never have the answers for any of our conflicts. And the planet is never short of the wise guys. We have more than a few experts. For every conceivable  problem, we have a solution. But, never enough will to fulfill it.

I still have another year before I can retire from civilization as I know it.  The bears in the woods beckon me. The call of raw nature hastens me to seek personal progress. The longing to steer clear of another ‘cerebrum,’ whether a thinking one or not, is the prize for my years of hard work. I will get there pretty soon. I deserve it.

But, I still have to answer to my past. And, I reflect upon it. Happy Birthday to me!

This memorial day, my salute to those who gave us their ultimate sacrifice and to those who bear enough courage in them to risk their lives to defend our freedoms. To those men and women in our armed services, I owe you more gratitude than toward any single person I know.