blessed

Hello blog,

        I often wonder what the 20 something Jeremy would think about the 35 year model's life and whatnot.  I'm sure my much more toned (I used to have four of a six-pack going), somewhat more irritable and decidedly less grey version of me would be pretty impressed despite the chub.  There are certainly things I would like to be different, but that's what keeps you from getting complacent and bored.

       Every now and again I have to count my blessings to keep from getting buried in the craziness of things right now.  It's something I do with more frequency these days, but it keeps me grounded and generally happy.  On the whole, we have it pretty swell, even if we do have to work our asses off sometimes.  Here's a very abbreviated list of the main things for which I am grateful:

1.       Kim and I are both able-bodied.

We are able to hold down multiple jobs when a great deal of folks don't even have one.  We are usually in decent health, leaving aside the occasional bugs that can lay us out from time to time.  Despite seeming to stretch on for eternity, they always pass in relatively quick order.  I know many folks with chronic issues that would make a lot of what we do impossible.  Most of what ails us these days can be cured by a good night's sleep or voodoo.  A little Marvin Gaye never hurts either.
      
2.        We own our own house.

         How cool is that?  We have a place that we can paint and redecorate how we want.

 We don't have to worry about a lease.  We get to pay property taxes (OK so maybe not the most awesome feature of owning a house).  Still it's big and beautiful and ours.  I've lived in apartments ever since I got out on my own.  I've never had this much space to call my own.  Kim lived in trailers for the bulk of her life, and then in an apartment with me.  We actual have to work to spread our things out now.  So we may not have the biggest yard in the world, but that means less mowing.    

3.      We have shiny new, reliable vehicles that are actually pleasant to drive.

Having driven clunkers most of my life, I am now blessed with two vehicles that were made within the past decade and have at least 4 wheels.  Also air-conditioning!  I've spent way too many summers driving to gigs in 90°+ weather over 100 miles away.  I sweated so much that's probably how I kept my weight down.  We no longer have to keep our mechanic on speed dial.  It's just one less major thing to worry about.  We have two car payments now, but few things that are worthwhile are free and we are able to manage.    

4.      I get to play/make music almost every day and sometimes I even make a little money at it.   I also get to meet some really interesting folks.  I'm blessed to have enough musical talent that others will agree to play with me in front of others. 

Sometimes even in Kiss makeup.

How I get away with most of this is beyond me, but I enjoy it a great deal.   It, like most things in my life, takes a lot of work, but I have great fun the whole time. 

5.      Also ZOE! 

Fact - She's the awesomist daughter to have been borned.  She has a full compliment of fingers and toes and all of her major organs are in the correct place and in solid working order.  On top of that she's the cutest thing you'll ever see ever.

Just look at that!  That little cover girl calls me, "Daddy."   She sings, dances, laughs, sleeps on command, and says the darnedest things.  I realize everybody learns new things daily, but it's usually a subtle process.  With Zoe it's just so real and vivid.  Watching a person learn everything right in front of you is really cool.  Now it's not all sunshine and unicorn farts having a child, what with the tantrums and poop, but it's all worth it when she gives you a hug.  I could easily fill up many pages on Zoe, but I'm going to save those for another day.  She's expanded my capacity for love so much more than I ever thought possible and that is truly a blessing.  

6.     Finally and most importantly: Mrs. Kimberly Childrey Boomhower.

Just the sheer statistical improbability that two goofballs like us could find each other at just the right times in both of our lives and mesh so well is staggering to me.  I feel like I won the spousal lottery.  She gets my sense of humor and has a wicked one of her own.  She's also the prettiest lady I've ever laid eyes on.  As with Zoe, I could go on and on, but I think even Kim would get tired of reading that.  Let me just say that once we met my life gained direction and drive and I haven't looked back or regretted anything since.  She is the blessingest blessing I have.

Alright.  I guess that's enough for now.  I am truly lucky.

Jeremy