Reflections on Turning 56

Yowzaaaa! I've been 56 for a week now...seems like much longer.  What was that saying, "Exercise doesn't make you live longer, it just seems longer!" I think you could say the same thing for pain.  I'm such a wimp! Under pain (or the thought of having it for a while) I crumble....no patience, no niceness, no motivation, no hope, no joy in serving, no sense of work accomplishment.  I can honestly say that work and church this week have been a pain in the arse! (that's mainly where it's been hurting anytime I sit and I sit a lot for both!).  But...I do have more empathy and I'm saddened by the fact that many close to us live with pain all the time.  Mom in her feet and hands and wrists and Dad and his back and Aunt Helen and her back and Dan and his sinus and Kent and his head and Steve and his knee and Amy and her body and so many more.  I really, really wish you all to be well and pain free! 

So the week of my birthday, I visited the physical therapist, the massage therapist and the chiropractor.  The day of my birthday I locked myself out of my office (forgetful) and misplaced my wallet--I truly felt the effects of old age...especially working with a bunch of twenty and thirty somethings! Last night, Alan Shields and I went to dinner the much of the conversation was on pains and therapies--we've become old! 

BUT, it was a great day!  I heard from many of you and had many well wishers! The Hulmes invited me for dinner and root beer floats.  The Hunters and Littlefields brought brownies and ice cream.  Megan and Alex brought strawberry shortcake and and excellent time was had by all.  I only remembered to take a picture at the end and you can see my new roommates Grant and Clay.  I work with Grant and they are great guys.  

So thanks everyone for thinking of me...I'm so glad I came to live with you all!  Wonderful to see Elder Webb enroute to departure yesterday and all the family.  I stopped by the Greene's last night and great to spend time with Stephen, Anna and Jessica.  

Love you all SO MUCH!!!

Peter 

A few shots from the last couple of weeks.  The new cover I made for the airplane.  Cabbages planted around the dead ash tree at the Idaho house (thanks Mom!). Birthday guests. My standing desk at home.  Stretching/resting my back at the office.