What Hurts

There’s a silly old joke that goes, “Does your face hurt? Well, it’s killing me.”

When my Dad was doing consulting work in his second full-time career, he would mentor young engineers on the importance of getting along to be successful. The Bob Chuck powerpoint presentations included such titles as: Likeability Value, Communications Styles, and Positive Attitude is Key to Success.

Dad molded the attitudinal with the practical, with presentations on: Hearty Laughter Can Be Healthful, Practice Improves Speaking Abilities, and Hasty Emails Can Lead to Regrets. Haven’t we all had experience with that last one.

At this point of recovery the core area of the pancreas behind the stomach sometimes hurts when I try to demonstrate my enthusiasm for a particularly good idea, and I can tire myself out appreciating a witty comment. That power of positive thinking can be hard work. It’s also a part of the character of our family, with the fortitude of always looking ahead to what can be possible, as forged by our parents.

Thanksgiving is annually a time of appreciating all that we take for granted for the rest of the year. Sometimes we’re blessed to get an extra special message from God. Our family got one this year. Although we are all in different locations this year, we will share the hearty laughter that Granpa described as healthful. Happy Thanksgiving!