And now for something completely different

I admit that it has been awhile since I have posted something poignant and actually heart-touching, so I hope you are totally prepared today to finally wait a few more weeks for that.

A close friend told me yesterday that I really march to a different beat than most people and my first reaction was to confess that most of the time, the music in my head sounds a lot like a one armed man trying to unload drums from a van.

But I am fully aware that a large percentage of those who know me must often ask themselves why I don't act my age. And that is a very good question.

One of the first reasons is that my age is freaking old.

In dog years, I am 6. Have you ever seen a 6 year old dog? They are old, trust me. They are the ones they invented the saying for that you "cannot teach a new trick" to them. And they are no longer even remotely cute. So, do the math.

(Wow, that was a terrible argument.)

And yes, I know that being gray and wrinkly and out of shape is unsightly enough and adding my acting like an immature idiot into the mix does not improve the picture.

But I am having fun or at least trying. They say I'm crazy, but I have a good time.

Is life actually riddled with tragedy and sadness and pain? Yes. God yes. Just pick up a newspaper.

And personally, this was the most painful two weeks I have experienced physically in months.

My chronic nerve pain is so bad this week, even touching the keyboard or mouse feels like touching a hot stove. All week, the bones in my arm have felt like they are being squeezed in a vice. Even now, it is excruciating.

But being in pain all day, every day, is still a lot more tolerable than choosing to be miserable and feeling sorry for yourself about it. And only one of those things do I have control over.

I try my best almost every day to make myself and others laugh. Several days a month I might even succeed.

My wife and kids are so used to it that they will even spur me on with comments like, "what is wrong with you", "please stop" and "why doesn't he ever stop".

They are my greatest fans, which is saying a lot. For starters, it is saying that unlike most people, they cannot get in their cars and drive home to get away from me.

Anyway, I find that since I already enjoy making fun of stupidity, I will never run out of things and people to laugh at, including myself.

I think that picture shows I not only can laugh at myself, but I am well and truly an idiot who probably shouldn't even be allowed near sharp objects.

I know there is a lot of heartache and tragedy in the world and honestly pray daily for those suffering and who have it far worse than I do.

And I know that the only reason I have joy in the midst of so much constant physical pain is because the joy of the Lord is my strength. That, and all the paint chips I ate as a kid.