Monday morning, 430am, almost time to go to work.  Normally, I would be dragging myself out of bed grumbling something about "hating Mondays".  But today is different, first, its a short week and tomorrow I fly back to the US to spend some time with my sons (I could grumble about Decy and the girls not getting to join me; but I won't).

I could grumble about not getting to have a decent phone call with my mother on Mother's Day (probably due to Sunspots), but I won't.

I could grumble about having to get up so early and work such long hours; but I won't.

TODAY IS DIFFERENT.  Today is my 48th birthday.  While not a "milestone" year it is still the marking of another year in passing.  Time passes so fast ... so many things happen ... some good, some not so good.  I can feel myself getting older ... especially if I run a very hard hash ... or go dancing all night (yes, I still do that).  Nevertheless, I feel good about my life ... I feel healthy, my weight is under control, I have a large and growing family that loves each other ... and actually gets along.  Perhaps ... just perhaps, I am the happiest man in the world in that regard.

I give thanks to God for my three sons:  Josh, Chris, Paul.  I could write hours and hours about them; but they already know in their hearts how much I love them ... how proud of I am of them ... and how I would do anything for them.

I give thanks to God for my two daugthers:  Chely and Thasya.  Bless their hearts, I have put them through so much over the last four years; yet they continue moving forward, growing, learning, and adapting.  They are wonderful girls ... and I hope and pray the best for their future.

I give thanks to God for Liz and Daniel; daughter-in-law and grandson .... such special people to come into our lives and family.

I give thanks to God for my wife Decy.  While God is the source of my "being" ... she is the source of my sense of direction, of understanding about life, of learning to "relax", of learning to accept what life gives. Without her, I would have physically, spiritually, and emotionally died while living in Indonesia in 2000-2001.  I owe everything to her.

I give thanks to God for my sister and her family.  They have seen me do so many "weird" and oftentimes "unacceptable" things.  Yet, they have stood by me ... and we still remain friends and family.

I give thanks to God for my dad, Poncho.  He came into my life when I was a restless teenager and he stood by me ... sometimes as a friend, sometimes as a father ... didn't matter ... he stood by me.

I give thanks to God for my mother.  God knows how much I love her and how much I appreciate the life long sacrifice she has made.  Surely, there will be a special place in heaven just for her.

And finally, I give thanks to God for God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Without their mercy ... I am nothing ... without their protection ....  I would not be alive today ... without their sacrifice ... I would have no hope for tomorrow.

TODAY IS DIFFERENT ... I could grumble ... its 447am ... time to leave for work ... BUT I WON'T.  To everyone reading this message .... God bless you !!!