On The Goings On Before My 28th Birthday

There have been a series of unfortunate events that procured themselves into my life before my 28th birthday. A series of events so horrible, I cannot see as how anything worse could have befallen another human soul.

-- There were 2200+ winners of the Roll Up The Rim promotion at the two Tim Horton's I frequent. I purchased 15 cups of coffee, did not win once. Meanwhile, the Mrs. has won 14 out of the last 15 times in the Mt. Dew promotion.

-- I broke my hand. True, it was my own stupid fault. But if a man cuts off his own foot is he not pityable?

-- I could not nor can I play sports for the next four weeks, and who knows beyond that. Ever try and play golf with a busted hand? And softball's out of the question 'cause it's my glove hand.

-- On my birthday I endured a fever pushing 102, severe exhaustion and a really sore sore throat. Over the course of 48 hrs, I slept for 30+.

-- Ripped three contact lenses. Ripped lenses in the previous 16 years: 2. And ripped my 4th this morning.

-- Rising costs of fuel.

-- The Red Sox dropped 4 straight.

To balance this out, there have been an equally meritorious series of events that may or may not have canceled the following out.

-- Isaac called me Dude.

-- The Mrs. took absolute care of me during my illness and broken arm.

-- This.

-- This was my birthday present (without the people). Yes, I'm old now.

-- The Celtics won 66 games and took the first two of the first round of the playoffs.

-- Got my cast off.

Not a day passed were I didn't realize the relentless grace bestowed upon me and shown to me in my wife and my child. Even when I wanted to be depressed about breaking my arm, there was Isaac not paying it any attention or consideration. When I wanted to be frustrated or angry about circumstances well beyond my control, there was the Mrs to offer, with her smile and touch, perspective on all that is good. And when I was down on never winning a single, solitary thing in that stupid promotion, there, again, was the Mrs flaunting her talents as a twist off winner (Seriously though, it's uncanny how many stupid bottle caps we have scattered throughout the cars and house).

I'm 28 now. Recovering from injuries sustained through stupidity, normal passage of germs, and wounded pride at being unable to win my family (read: me) anything. I have my sense of humor intact. I have my awe at the world around me fully intact. I have people who love me. I have people to love. I have a God that cares infinitely about me.

Being 28 is the next logical step, the next in a coordinated series of progressions that aim to make me smarter, more mature, more loving, more caring and more of a man.

It's up to me to make the most of all of everything.