Because of that wonderful gift, I have been able to find other gifts every day on my own. From the beautiful amber color of the sun rising over the open Atlantic ocean welcoming a new day to bear. The gray skies of a ‘nor’easter bearing down on my community.

I experienced the friendship of a cute puppy, satisfied purring of a cat, remarkable songs of brave men, beautiful women, curagous and selfless acts.

Gone to college and learned that dispite my self inflated view of my wisdom my knowledge is but spittle in a great river flowing from the dawn of time to its ultimate end. I’ve seen ordinary men achieve remarkable things because of many reasons, the most telling of all being “You can’t do that.”

I’ve seen the computer created. Seen the fundamental force of the atom applied to great things, some good, some bad. Seen man discover new life miles beneath the surface of the ocean that has changed the course of science.

I’ve traveled near and far, literally to the other side of the planet, met thousands of people, some I can call friends, some not.

I’ve seen the horrors that a man can inflict on his fellow man in the name of hollow promises and empty dreams.

I’ve heard the stories and felt the awe of selfless men (and of course women) giving the ultimate gift for their fellow man.

I’ve lived the stories of great laughter, tragic sadness, empty promises. Buried a brother at a too-young age. Saw my parents go with unrealized dreams. Felt the awsome power of the wind carring a ship through the ocean under a bright sunny sky. Stood face to face with and felt then witnessed the fury of mother nature as that same wind destroyed everything in its path.

Seen the nauseating results of man’s hubris and the glorious power of people’s hope and love for someone they don’t know.

That gift has given me the love of a woman I can’t believe I deserve, pride at the end of the day of having done a good job and given it my all. The ability to provide for my family and be proud of what I have achieved. The confidence and strength to try my hand at anything I want. To not be afraid of failure and the pleasure of learning from it. The feeling of grit in my teeth, sawdust in my hair, and other discomforts that have been more valuable to me than gold.

This gift has given me the power to decide my own fate and be the lucky recipient of other gifts. What more of a gift could anyone hope for?

(Oh, except for one of those spiffy briefcases to carry around my diary.) ;)