Good evening, Team! It’s Friday!

I woke up in a different state and a different time zone than I started out the day before. Throughout the night, I was awakened multiple times by everything from the battery-powered leaf blower to a bathroom break to the innocent-looking alarm clock that a previous hotel guest set to go off, way too early … but once it went off, I was up for the day. Then a text from my dear wife came indicating she was ill and had been up half the night and couldn’t go to work.

At the hotel restaurant, greeted by signs that required that I wait to be seated, I stood while several servers and the hostess held a conversation in a mostly empty restaurant almost out of sight. I made eye contact with one helper who chose to ignore me…. I would have selected a different venue but we were meeting for business just down the hall in half an hour. I walked toward the gaggle of servers and was then seated. I was curt and eventually embarrassed I couldn’t look past the staff shortcomings. The tip did not reflect my situation. The food was (also) below average but I gave a standard 20%.

After our business meeting, several of us shared an uber ride to the airport. The vehicle smelled badly and the driver kept the window open to mitigate the odor. I preferred less wind on the highway but said nothing.

Once in the airport, I had to remind the gate agent of the upgrade I was selected for. Once seated, the family behind had a “kicker” to ensure I didn’t nap. The family across the aisle had a sad baby that probably dealt with ear pain after visiting grandma and grandpa for the holidays so much of the plane learned of the discontent.

We are surrounded by reminders that this world has flaws. Things don’t always go well or as we had hoped or planned. Sometimes the whole day can be filled with things that rob us of our peace and test our patience, leaving me now quiet rather than stewing.

It is at this point that I start counting my blessings.

•I am healthy

•I’m getting home before dark tonight

•I will be able to comfort and dote on my almost never ill wife

•I am gainfully employed

•I am loved

Friends, it was just a Friday. It could be considered crappy or at least inconvenient, but I choose to see it as a good day.

Blessings,

Eric