Today is my birthday. I’m 36.

Thought’d i’d pause for the inevitable fanfare and whoot-hollerin’ you all seem to engage in.

I got to thinking this morning while I navigated the precarious flow of the Tim Horton’s drive-thru that I really don’t feel any older.

There’s been quite a lot of challenge in my life, less so fortunately lately, but enough to write a book series on, followed by a string of movies of the week, and at least one feature. But I’m only 36.

On and off recently, I have been discussing with my wife (let’s be real here – she was telling me what was best for me, I was promptly disregarding it because it was too much work) that I usually expect the worse, and thenn the worse turns up to loiter out on the front lawn, pissing all over the dandelions.

So one of the purposes to this newly re-invested blog is the concept of counting my blessings.

I have a lot, it would seem.

So today, for my 36th birthday, even though I still need new running shoes, and a proper tool chest, and maybe eventually a new set of golf clubs, I am content to say that I am grateful for the following things:

My Wife: The Best Friend I have ever had. She is always right, and I really need to listen to her more. Not just for myself, but for her. She deserves it. I would be completely lost without her. Also, she laughs at my jokes, which is nice of her.

My Kids: We have 5 – four boys and one girl. Each of them is spectacular and frustrating. We are just about out of baby stages as our youngest works at ridding himself of diapers and our oldest hovers at the cusp of teenagehood. Alright, theres a bit of melancholia there. But I’m glad we chose to have them. They are part of my definition.

My Dad: Here’s the thing about Dad: He really is this warm, wonderful, nurturing bear of a man. I just wish all the people that have continued to eff him over in life would have stopped to realize it. He’s in a terrific marriage (finally) with my step-mother Cristina, who is awesome. And he deserves that happiness. I am very fortunate, despite all the terrible crap he went through to have him as a father. Plus, I can totally kick his ass at video games now.

My job: Ok, ok, so those who know me personally will know I am not actualy “doing” my job quite yet, but in this I mean where I work. It is, in the words of #9, “fantastic”. I have never had this level of contentment or opportunity in a job before. Hell, this isn’t a job. It’s a career, and one that I wish I started years ago. It gives me tremendous support, both personally and professionally, and enables me to take care of my family. That bit is important – “Take Care” – All I have to do is show up, give it my best, and be ready when it needs me to be. That, I can do.

You: Suprised? Why? I could continue to pour my meandering thoughts into a form and upload it til the dolphins go home, but the fact that you are here reading it makes it vital. For that I thank you. You rock!

As always, I feel a little less burdened. A little more peaceful. And a little bit sad. Only in that I can’t reach back to pat the shoulder of my younger self, and tell him it will all be ok. But I guess it’s that uncertainty, that not-so-long dark tea time of the soul that brought me here. So instead, I’ll say a quiet thank you to him too.

Today, wherever you, raise a glass in your honour.