Perfect Life: Something for which to be thankful

Well, here we are three-fourths of the way through November already. This Thursday will be Thanksgiving Day. Time sure slips by when we’re having fun, doesn’t it?

I have such an enjoyable life that sometimes I think I should feel guilty about it. But guilt is dumb; it’s like making payments on a debt I don’t owe. So I think I’ll just feel good about the good stuff life has brought me.

I am so fortunate in so many ways, although I do have a few shortcomings. I’m not rich (in the material sense). I have my share of the aches and pains that come with getting older. As far as good looks are concerned, well that’s a matter of opinion. I would ask for that opinion if my friends weren’t so frustratingly honest.

My dog hasn’t won best in show. As a matter of fact, I have to buy two certifications to make him legal: a rabies tag and an ugly license.

I’m not the most talented fella in town. I recently led the opening song at a Kiwanis meeting and was advised to take singing lessons from a bull frog. My six-toed cat has the personality of a paranoid cobra and spends each night drooling in my left ear. And my computer hates me.

Otherwise, my life is close to perfect. I have the greatest wife anybody could ever hope to have. I frankly don’t know what I would do if I had to live with somebody like me. I don’t know how she manages it. Thank goodness she has enough common sense to offset my oddities.

If I were a millionaire, I’d be called eccentric. Since I’m not in that category, I suppose that puts me a bit to the goofy side of a reality check. Fortunately, Saundra hasn’t had me taken away in the van to the home for the terminally silly. Not yet, anyway. But every day I watch for the muscular young men in the white coats storming into the house with their butterfly nets.

Meanwhile, I lead this truly blessed life, happier than I ever dreamed I could be.

My friends also contribute to my happiness. They are bright, considerate people whom I treasure more than I know how to tell them. There are Dave and Mary Russell, Joyce Seefeld, Tony and Margorie Gennaro, Dan Pilon, Bob and Suzanne Scott, Father Tobin Hitt, and many other fine people here in Portales that Saundra and I are so fortunate to have in our lives.

I look forward to work each day because of the great people I work with, and my morning coffee and lunch cronies. At lunch we all sit at a long table in the Campus Union Building just relaxing, overeating, and enjoying each other’s company.

I won’t mention names because some of my companions would be embarrassed, but they certainly know who they are. You folks really light up my days. Thank-you for the joy, erudition, and respect — and the tolerance of my corny one-liners.

Our kids give me love and joy, too. They’re off on their own living their adult lives now, but two of the three will be here for Thanksgiving. I really look forward to that.

Maybe now when I brag about being the luckiest guy in the world, the truth of the claim will be obvious.

I planned to write this week’s column about all that I’m thankful for without being trite. But, as usual, I got sidetracked. Or did I?

Jim Lee is news director for KENW-FM radio. He also is an English instructor. He can be contacted at 359-2204. His e-mail:

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