Today, I had one thing on my Outlook calendar for the entire afternoon, “4th Grade Musical.”

1:15PM rolled around and there I was sprinting to the parking lot, because seats are of premium value at 4th grade musicals.  Plus, this year’s theme was “50 States.”  Oh, there would be songs a plenty, plus many a state factoid.  Earlier in the week, our 4th grader Sam had recited his line for us.  It was a monologue about Oklahoma and its plentiful oil, a.k.a. “Black Gold.”  A good factoid, indeed.

Arriving at the musical and sliding into the seat that my wife had saved for me, I watched the show and it was truly amazing.  Not for the music (although very nice and well rehearsed), not for the dialog (although I did learn that Alaska could stretch from Florida to California), but rather for something else.  It was amazing for where I found myself.  Next to my beautiful wife.  With a job that understands the value of home.  Watching my son perform a speech about Oklahoma.  A father to three boys, who I cherish beyond measure.  Living in a country, where freedom is so deeply valued.  Enjoying life in that moment.  Blessed beyond measure.

As a 4th grader, I would have been unable to envision myself today.  Looking back however, I would not want life any other way.

Another state factoid.  In a strange demographic twist, Minnesota 4th Grade Classrooms all have a 6-1, Girl-to-Boy ratio.  Go figure.