Today was a good day

So what, it was Monday. Today was a good day. I woke up, right? I woke up in a bed. I have the love of my life with me. Owen the cat greets me. (Actually he probably woke me up, but I’ll count it as a greeting) The tile floor was chilly but the heat was on. I get up and there’s a pot of coffee. I release the other cat from his room and he says good morning as he runs past me, eager to explore the new day. I then get to greet two super-happy, loving shih tzus who act like they haven’t seen me in years when I open their crates. Other than getting woken up, which I just can’t get used to, what’s to complain about?

I have a comfy recliner to sit in and drink my morning coffee while I finish waking up, Sophie in my lap. Beside me are my iphone, my chromebook, and a remote to my 55' tv and roku. I have pretty instant access to a wealth of information. I can find out what the weather’s going to be like and what’s happening on facebook and twitter. I have my Bible app to read a daily devotion and set my mind right. When it’s my turn for the shower, I have hot water, soap, and a clean towel. I have a soft bath mat to step onto when I get out of the shower. Clean, pressed clothing waits for me to put them on. After I comb my hair , I got some good, smelly John Varvatos cologne to spritz on me. When does this get bad?

When it’s time to go I can look around and see this beautiful home that I was able to get mortgage approval to purchase some years ago, this home that I’ll be coming home to after a day’s work. I can pick up my car keys and remote start my new truck. I can drive to work; I have a job, I’ve been employed as a professional for what will soon be 19 years. I earn a decent living. On my way to work I have multiple options to pick up some breakfast. My favorites are the bagel shop (that’s an extra blessing, having a good bagel shop nearby) or I can swing into Starbucks and use my app to pay and earn rewards towards a free drink. (fiscal responsibility is a conversation for another time).

Work. Think about it. There are millions of people in the United States that do not have a job. At my campus, we have around 130 people working. I’m 1 out of those 130. There’s nearly 10,000 employed by my district. There’s around 2 million people in the county. I’d say I’m pretty blessed to be employed. On top of that, I’m a librarian. It’s the job I went to school to do and it’s one I’ve enjoyed for what will be 14 years come June. I go to work in a building that has friendly, hard-working people. Many I have known for years, some for all 8 years I’ve been there. Step into the library and it’s a large, nice space. I have a wall of windows that look out into a courtyard. We have lots of books. We have computers. I’m given a laptop to use that I can take home. I have a great job in a great place.

Every day I get to work with students. I see these young people reading, relaxing, working, and socializing. These student are our future and I think they’re pretty awesome. For the past 8 years I’ve been able to see students graduate, with honors, scholarships; with pride for accomplishing what no one in their family has accomplished. Students attending college, first in their family. Students receiving full rides to TCU! It’s amazing what these students do.

At work I have the opportunity to engage in activities beyond my job description. I get opportunities to challenge myself, to lead others, to develop my skills and knowledge. Free opportunities to leave each day better than when I arrived. Not only that, I get multiple opportunities to make some else’s day better. I’m given a platform in which I can serve other people daily. I impact students’ lives daily. I can impact education in small but potentially enduring ways.

After all that I get to return home to my wife. I can get just about any kind of dinner I want. I can talk with my wife about our day, make plans for our future. At the end of it all, I get to go back to my bed and sleep (maybe not as much as I need) and then I get to wake up (God willing) and do it all over again.

Thank you Lord for each day and what each day brings.