A Joyous Perspective on Celebrating the One Who Keeps Me!

It's Friday, and time for another Thought Tale hour at the Henderson's.  Each week, my dear husband will occasionally pipe up with a declaration of what he believes we should toast to on Friday night.  For those who know him, you can imagine that they often have to do with politics, many with scientific discovery and a few with sports.  This week, he had some idea about the aspect of Global Warming in sub-degree weather, to which I thought silently, "Yeah, right dude.  It's your Birthday this week...This blog is about MY views on life...Do you think I'm going to ignore talking about one of the most important parts of my 'joyous perspective'?  Warming storming..."  

So tonight, I'm toasting my Sugar, the one who 'keeps' me...

On December 12, 1961, Christopher Allen Henderson was born in Urbana, Illinois.  The low temperature that day was -2 (I think that's close to what we had this week, so there's your Global Warming reference honey.)  Chris enjoyed one of those beautiful small-town upbringings that we see depicted on Holiday cards: Two great parents, the only boy between two loving sisters, and a large extended family. There were challenging times in health and faith, he was battered and betrayed, but even these seemed to have not tarnished his life philosophy, from his dear friend Barry Moore, "Do what's right." When I met Chris, the first thing that he shared with me was how much he loved his family, and firmly, after that, he didn't have evidence of a God. As a believer myself, I found this to be confounding coming from such a relaxed and well-adjusted man.  I had always known non-believers to be arrogant and tense. 

Maybe it's about having to live in a nation with a church on every corner.  

But over time and through the years before joining my life with him, I grew to see that his view about a higher power did not impact his morality, commitment, or ethics.  In fact, all of these things, rather than be based on spiritual teaching and tenets, where based on his observation of others.  If you just do the right thing, you'll never have to worry.  It will all be OK in the end.

Perhaps this is why rather than a union of two 'unequally yoked', we are sublimely balanced. 

Meeting Chris and talking about faith with him has made me an even stronger believer, as I have had to search my soul and the halls of knowledge to answer challenging questions. He listens, responds, and keeps me understanding what it's like to honestly be waiting on answers. 

Chris keeps me honest about my faith as there is no room for fluffy supposition.  His ability to let the biggest rock thrown roll off his back keeps me believing that civility is often better than battle.  His slight yet steady smile, while not glowing and toothy, keeps me from dissolving into a puddle of tears when hit with life's unexpected trial. 

His furrowed brow has kept me from pursuing a mindless tirade many a time. Chris never protests or pretends to be more than that which he is called to be, which has helped me to see that who I am today is enough for what comes before me today.  

How someone can be so laid back and yet so reliable is truly astounding, but it keeps me in a state of contented assurance that he has me and our family's back at all times.  He has an incredible ability to repair all things broken: toys, computers, cars, vacuum cleaners, confused minds, and broken hearts. 

He's a practical soul. Still, he is always looking for the next significant discovery, invention, or find at a garage sale, which keeps me finding treasure, whether in a beautiful department store or a flea market.  Chris, while not a believer in the spiritual, keeps me believing in the future, and that it more than likely holds goodness. 

Chris, with all his stuffy scientific pragmatism, keeps my perspective hopeful.  

He does it with a love that goes beyond my human understanding.

A love that forgives and gives and sticks. 

A love a lot like what God has for us all.

So tonight, raise a glass and join me in a toast to the 58th birthday of the one who keeps me joyous. We will be sipping Jack Daniels' "Ageless Rye" tonight.  Happy Birthday Weekend, Sugar.  Like you, may we all remember to always do what's right, without excuse or evidence, just because it is.  CHEERS FRIENDS!

JACK DANIEL’S "Ageless Rye."**

Two parts Ageless Rye

INSTRUCTIONS
If desired, serve over ice. For an extra twist, add a dash of bitters and a twist of orange.

**Always drink responsibly