There are a few of you out there that may not have seen me at my best.
Not something particularly recent. Though, there are probably plenty of particulars we could pluck from the pieces of time’s pie just prior to the present.
I mean to address those moments long and not-so-long past where I didn’t treat you as the beautiful creation that you are.
I’m sorry for that.
From memory, I’ve annoyed, pestered, agitated, irritated, frustrated, exasperated and generally pissed off friends, teachers, parents (mine and others), grandparents, brothers, a wife (and her entire family), children, aunts, uncles, cousins (of all distances), customers, clients, employees, vendors, managers, co-workers, drivers, walkers, runners, bikers, bicyclists, strangers, acquaintances, waiters, waitresses, baristas, neighbors, public servants, pastors and likely many others.
(What? I’m a friendly guy.)
Not in a persistent way-of-being kind of way. Just random moments scattered about the tilled field that has so far been my life.
I’m not terribly broken up about it.
But I do care. And I am regretful that I caused you distress.
Even though you might not have thought about those moments in a long time, it’s still important for me to say this.
My filter that determines what comes out of my mind has changed. I think that’s a good thing. I’d be worried if it didn’t. A consequence of this is that I see certain things differently. Like myself for instance. I can see some pretty fantastic things that I never knew were there. The present is calling. But the past still wants to be heard. It tells me where to grow. I’m thankful for that.
For example, I used to call this wisdom. It doesn’t feel right to hear me say that anymore. What I do know is I have a lot more insight into living. Which is hysterical because it’s painfully crystal I don’t know what the flip I’m doing.
Yet, many of you have hung in there with me. So more than sorry, I’m grateful.
For you.
For what you’ve done.
It’s mighty gracious.
I try to repay it every day.
(Except for that lady in the Hyundai Sonata on the 90 between the Depew onramp and the Williamsville tolls two Friday morning commutes ago. Sorry about that.)
Some days are better than others. (Do you hear the Michelob jingle, too?)
We’ll keep our steady trot nonetheless.
Today rose with the possibility that anybody can win.
Even us.
Tomorrow will be no different.
That should be good news to us all.
