Take a look, it's in a book!

“Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.” -Mortimer J. Adler

Right now, there are probably seven or eight books on my nightstand, plus a few magazines. And I am currently reading all of them. Every night, I’ll read an article or two from one of the mags, a few chapters from one of the books, maybe a chapter from another book, and then I usually top it off with something fascinating that I found on NYTimes.com.

I love to read. I am addicted to it. If there is print in front of me, I read it. All of it – cereal boxes, newspapers, magazines, candy wrappers. My friends are sometimes aggravated by this addiction. But it is not an addiction that I am willing to get rid of. I think it is a good thing.

I want to encourage you to read, but not necessarily the kind of junk I find myself constantly reading throughout the day, although anything is better than nothing. When you read, it’s like thinking with another person’s mind for a little while. The better the literature, the better the mind you are borrowing. So read something good... I promise it will enhance your life.

“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do it again by reading, just as I did when I was young.” - Maya Angelou

one year.

It’s almost been a year.

It’s almost been a year since I called you and informed you that you were engaged, since we shared a meal together, since we walked around and laughed at ridiculous statements made by both our mothers. It’s almost been a year since you texted me and informed that our junior high basketball coach wanted to wish me a, “Merry Freakin’ Christmas.” It’s almost been a year since I got to sit with you and share my life, it’s almost been a year since I got to sit with you and worship the birth of our Savior together with our families that loved you. It’s almost been a year since you called and asked me to skip work and hang out with you one more day. It’s almost been a year since you forced a hug out of me and told me you were proud of me and that you loved me.

In another couple of days it will have been almost a year since you told me you were the happiest person in the world. It will have almost been a year since we laughed about your up-coming New Year’s date with a gay man. It will have almost been a year since I decided to wait another day or two to call you.

And then, a few days after that it will have been almost a year since I thought nothing could ever shake my faith or my world. Almost a year since I broke down and begged Jesus to wake me up. Almost a year since my mother held me so I could sleep at night. It’s been almost a year since I thought I knew Jesus in a real way.

It’s been almost a year since I had to look your father in the eye and tell him I didn’t notice anything different. It’s almost been almost a year since I thought I could’ve done something had I only known. It’s been almost a year since I hugged your mother and she told me that you thought I was the funniest person in the world. It’s been almost a year since I walked out of your house without a smile on my face and without getting to tell you some line from a rap song.

It’s been almost a year since I said goodbye forever. Almost a year since I questioned you and your plans. It’s been almost a year since my father held my hand as I wept at the mere thought of you being gone. It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen your face. It’s been almost a year since I lost my innocence and everything I had ever known to be true.

It’s been almost a year since you brought Jesus to my face. It’s been almost a year since the only hope I’ve had is absolutely in Him.

friends.

There are certain times in a person's life when they realize they have friends. Not the junior high kind, the real kind. Legitimate, long-time, real-life friends.

My senior year in high school my friends threw me the surprise party of the century. Legitimate, long-time, real-life friends.

In college, time and time again my friends proved their legitimacy by asking me to be in their weddings, by hanging out with me even though I wasn't in their sorority and by inviting me to Chicken Finger Friday. Legitimate, long-time, real-life friends.

After you graduate from high school you never think you'll find friends as good as the ones you grew up with. And after college you think you'll never be able to find anyone who matches up with your college besties. And then you do and you're surprised.

And then, those friends come to your house and have a cleaning intervention with you. Afterwards, your room is clean and you know... legitimate, long-time, real-life friends.

.2

If I was going to run a marathon that last .2 would kill me.
I'm positive of this.

thanks.giving.

I am really thankful for a lot of things. In no particular order...

1. My family. I have a really great, fun family who enjoy my company immensely. They especially like when I tell stories from childhood, I'm thankful that they listen.

2. My roommate. Lil' Morgie is a jewel. A rare and precious jewel. She is fun, too.

3. Laura Brittain, I'm thankful that I have a friend I can share a blog with. She is the bestest best friend ever.

4. Facebook.

5. DVR.

6. i-Tunes/ i-Pod

7. Fleece weather.

8. My job.

9. A sovereign God who loves me.

thankful

As we are approaching my favorite holiday, I've noted a few things to give thanks for (in no particular order):

1. TV shows on DVD.
2. Friends to watch them with (for hours on end).
4. Inside jokes. Would love to be a part of one someday.
5. Larger-than-life-size posters of John Krasinksi at the Gap.
6. Happy hours.
7. Birthday parties.
8. Hand written notes.
9. Laura Cooperisms.
10. Belly laughs.

Notes: This is an organic list... check back for additions.

What did Teddy Roosevelt do for you?

Lately, I've become very intrigued with the life of one, Theodore Roosevelt. To us, he's Teddy, to his close friends he was simply T.R. or Theodore. Very interesting that all of the world called this man by a nickname, but those closest to him called him by his formal name.

Why the crap is Teddy Roosevelt on Mount Rushmore with the likes of some the greatest Americans to ever live? Does Ted really live up to the likes of GDub, Teej and Abes? Does he? Good question. I don't really think so. But, then again I think Franklin Pierce is fascinating.

Ted was one of the very first environmentalists, today his equal would be someone like Al Gore. Strike one against being on Rushmore. But, actually not. He set aside almost 190 million acres for natural forests, wildlife refuges and the like. Good ideas, but was that act up with freeing the slaves? Oh, he also created a national bird preserve. What the heck even is that?

T.R. was the first American to win the Nobel Prize. I say it would've happened sooner or later. Still not up to par with Teej.

I will say his foreign policy was impressive. It was under his watch that we became a global power. Way to go, T.R. But, you're no GDub.