Almost two months ago, I entered the 69th year of my life. I will add that having lived more years on this earth than either parent really does cause me to stop and take stock. I’ve received numerours comments through recent years that question my age. Many that questioned if I were really as old as I claimed to be. Although flattering it doesn’t change the truth. I am old enough to realize that each breath is a gift, and that there is a strong possibility that the next heartbeat will be the last. I have dear dear friends that I may never see again. Former students, former athletes, colleagues, perhaps relatives. Isn’t it a shame that we can not have a funeral for ourselves while we are still alive and lucid in order to address those we will be unable to speak to after we’re gone.

I have a good friend named Derek Moore. I mention Derek at this time to beg his pardon for this choice of phrase, but my reflection has been stimulating. Blog entriees on Absolute Truth and Freedom have been slow lately for many reasons but reflection has provided some inspiration, so allow me to get right to the point.

Recently my brother, Don, commented publicly that I was a really good brother and a quality person. He felt that I was just an all around nice guy. My brother is a pastor, and he made these comments to his congregation during a service. I am not mentioning this to brag, or to pump myself up. In fact, while I appreciate his comments, I also realize that blood is thicker than water, and he might be just so slightly prejudiced. So here is where the reflection comes in. I thought about all of the nice folks out there who have said nice things about me over the years. Sometimes they were said to my face, and I thanked them, unless I was so astounded that my brain failed to respond and I said nothing. So please allow me to say this now. If you’ve ever said something nice about me, whether in my prescence or not, Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Additionally, if any of you reading this have ever said anything bad about me, whether in my prescence or not, and it was deserved by me, I am truly sorry that I did something that caused you to say whatever it was that you said. As a matter of fact, I wish whatever it was, that I could go back in time and make amends. If I could, I would.

There are those who have said bad things about me that were not deserved. I know this because sometimes these things were said to my face. It would stand to reason that at times negative comments were not made in my prescence. Some folks over the years asked my forgiveness later. I always accepted their apology. If you’re reading this and we haven’t had that conversation, please let me say, you are forgiven. I mean it. You were always forgiven.