Gotta love those little green men!

Often I have commented here on the blog and in many of my men's group discussions about a man's natural search for his "Pot of Gold" at the end of his rainbow. So many of us in my generation started out with a strong focus to work hard, do well, never quit, play fair and then hit the jackpot. At least I did. Life from that day on became a slow realization that it wasn't going to be that way. At least not in the terms most of us had planned. The wonderful thing is that as I grew in my own character, and my family and faith became more a part of my life, I was able to adjust life's viewing glasses such that I realized it did happen just that way. What was different was the Jackpot. We all go through life with wishes, dreams and hopes centered around fame, money, accomplishment of some level. We wonder what it would be like to be the guy up on the hill, or on the screen, or in the news. It's only natural. I kept wondering every day, where and when I would look down and find the "Pot-O-Gold", when the little Leprechaun,would pop out and shake my hand and dump the gold coins at my feet. Of course it didn't happen that way, but somewhere along the way, I slowly learned how to appraise gold in the correct way. In fact I'm still learning. I learned that all this time, my gold coins were right in front of me and coming so fast I couldn't count them all. All I had to do was reach for them and enjoy them. An now today, with this crazy situation surrounding us, I find myself enjoying those coins every day. So very happy I have them and like any collector, so proud they are mine to enjoy. Here is a picture of one such coin. My son Stephen William Marcou, who has a Birthday today. His 36th, I think. I am so very proud of the man he has become, the things he has done, the family he nurtures and loves, and the faith he has built. He is just one of the many "Golden Coins" in my Jackpot.

I'm still blessed with a low level of side effects, with manageable pain and fatigue as my gremlins lately. The path stays wide, the pace is good, I just wish I was a bit further along. I have big things to look forward to next week, with Steve and I heading to Boston and New Hampshire. I want to ask all of you to include in your prayers, my sister Karen, who just went in for an emergency appendectomy and removal of a cyst on her intestines. She is doing well but has a tough 5 days ahead of her. God bless you all, you are loved, and Happy Birthday Steve!