Forty-five trips around the sun

Yesterday was my 45th birthday. My how time flies. It was a good birthday, though, overall. The only downside is that I seem to have somehow injured my left hand on Sunday. I wasn’t doing anything excessive – just watching The Hunt for Red October on the couch with Travis, but an hour later my hand was extremely sore, especially at the wrist. This mystery injury provided me teeth-gritting pain over the last two days, only now letting up. Since yesterday, my hand has ballooned from the swelling. I hope it will settle down on its own because my former employer has been slow getting the COBRA coverage started on my health insurance and as of now I don’t think I can see the doctor without a lot of reimbursement paperwork trouble.

A highlight of my birthday weekend was a family hike on Monday. Due to the magic of the Martin Luther King holiday occasionally coinciding with my birthday, the kids were out of school Monday and Tuesday. We took advantage of the warm, 60-degree weather to explore Falls Lake up Highway 50. Towards the end of our three-mile hike, I felt a hand reaching out for mine. My son wanted to hold my hand. It didn’t matter that he was gripping my painful, injured hand, I didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away. I know there won’t be as many of them in the future!

I was at home yesterday with the kids, reveling in the birthday wishes coming in from Facebook and doing some job hunting as well, when a car I didn’t recognize drove up. It was my brother Al who, as my twin, was also celebrating a birthday. It was an unexpected treat to have him over for a visit! We chatted for a while before he had to go. I should definitely make more time for my family!

So today I’m home alone, with a snoring dog, a puffy but mostly pain-free left hand, and an afternoon appointment with a potential employer. Yes, things could be better – things could always be better – but I’m optimistic and appreciative and well aware of just how good I’ve got it.