File number 7954

I woke up this morning to the sounds of rain droplets demanding my attention. They were calling out to me with all of the intent in the world, so fierce and loud. Like hunters in for the kill. I loved it.

The sun is coming out now... I've been taken back to a story that my mother told me when I was old enough to retain stories. What I am about to write about has nothing to do with what I was originally going to write about when I pressed the 'power' button on the HP Pavilion. My original thought had something to do with spaceship days when you and I were young. The way we would crown ourselves... Well, maybe the new topic has something to do with the original topic.

Here we go.

Today, I am celebrating another year of birth. A year older and maybe even a year wiser... Not sure. It goes something like this... Many Cheshire Cat moons ago, on a rainy-turned-sunny Monday at 1:58pm, I cried out and said "hey" to the attending staff at Harris Hospital in Ft. Worth, TX. Seven pounds. Thirteen ounces. Nineteen point five inches long. I learned these "vital" facts approximately 5 months ago.

Speaking of stats and measurements... This is a reflection on something I overheard at a grocery store two weeks ago (between a dude and someone who was clearly not his wife or significant other). I was looking for the perfect box of Wheat Thins. Because of what I heard and without going into great detail... I felt like... To me, it wasn't that far from the conversations that "probably" occur at a cock fight. "Hear where he was born and how much he weighed? That rooster brings some heat... Two ounces less and he would be at home walking around with the family dog, keeping the hen house company..." I realize that this sounds cynical and it probably is, but I have witnessed these kinds of conversations and there in the aisle, I was a bit bothered by it all... I call it how I see it...

Side note: I am not a parent. Not yet. If I become that kind of parent, you have my permission to put me in a Figure Four Leg Lock, Rick Flair-style... Wherever I am...

When we were born, our sole purpose was to live. That hasn't changed... Our way. The best way we know how... If we're lucky, we have solid parents or at least one who gets "it." I appreciate kids and I love watching them grow... In their own way. Not by measurements or sizes or percentiles... While they are important, they shouldn't be everything... I know that they're not, but the two that were keeping me from my Wheat Thins seemed to live their lives by this odd code. Everyone's entitled... Could be a phase... Just let the little kid live and embrace the the fact that they will one day make their mark. They will get there... Leave them alone.

A day older... I feel good.

To my Mom & Dad... Thank you for putting the ingredients together to make me... I owe so much to you.

I still miss Chuy.

First song of the day... "The Blue Flashing Light" by Travis. A true gem.

It's Thursday morning and LOST is on my mind. Last night's episode was rich.

Off to measure my height and weight...

Bring it on!

................bsm*