Nick and I were having one of our many philosophical conversations the other day at Applebees.

Speaking of which, have you ever noticed that when you sit down to eat a meal with your children they actually talk? I love that about meal time. It is a rare opportunity to get their full attention. I enjoy hearing about their day, their thoughts…what gets on their nerves and what makes them smile. There is something about food that energizes the conversation.

Anyway, Nick asked me if I knew I was going to die in a month how would I spend that time. I thought about his question for a minute or two and I really wanted to give a good answer…but nothing was coming to me.  I couldn't think of a deep and profound response. All I could think of was that I probably wouldn't do things much differently than I'm doing right now. I don't think he was impressed…

But maybe I got points for being honest. I don't mean that I'm doing all the right things or that I don't have regrets or that I never make mistakes. 

In fact, I have days when nothing is right. But eventually, I come around and realize how blessed I am. I love the song by Montgomery Gentry entitled "Lucky Man"...this song can give you some much needed perspective. And by the end of the song, I think most folks would agree that they have been dealt a "pretty fair hand."

It goes something like this…  I have days where I hate my job This little town and the whole world too And last Sunday when the Bengals lost Lord, it put me in a bad mood

I have moments when I curse the rain Then complain when the sun's too hot I look around at what everyone has And I forget about all I've got

But I know I'm a lucky man God's given me a pretty fair hand Got a house and a piece of land A few dollars in a coffee can

My old trucks still running good My ticker's ticking like they say it should I got supper in the oven, a good woman's loving And one more day to be my little kid's dad Lord, knows I'm a lucky man

Got some friends who would be here fast I could call 'em any time of day Got a brother who's got my back