In 5 days I turn 44. I can remember when I thought about just living to see the year 2000. It seemed so impossibly far in the future. Now my life history seems a furious blur. I can hardly believe that was me.

I know I am blessed, I am better off than most of my friends. I have a home, I have steady income. That's saying a lot in today's economy. I made some right decisions way back then, and it paid off for me now.

Life is a challenge. I have faced some serious challenges to it over the years. I have fought with my physical and mental health all my life. Both continue to be a daily challenge for me. But I am still here, so somewhere, I must have made some good decisions also.

The biggest challenge in life is being able to make those decisions. First you have to realize that a decision must be made. You must see, or must create the oppertunity to make those decisions. Then you have to make them. Once the decision has been made, you must live with the consequences. Realize that not acting on a challenge is as much of a decision as taking action. If one chooses to act on a challenge, one stands a better chance of coming out on top. (end of philosophy lession)

In two days, I am flying down to Orlando for my annual borthday trip to Walt Disney World. Me and a few friends will celebrate another year of friendwship, while suspending disbelief for a while. I value my friends more than anything else in the world. I find making friends a challenge sometimes, so I cling tightly to the ones I have. Love your friends. They need it, and you need it.