Now I remember . . .

I want to thank writer Rick Telander for reminding me of several things that I sometimes forget, but shouldn't.
Like:
1. Why I've gone two weeks straight - away from home until 11 p.m. or later after arriving at work at 7:50a .m. every day. And will continue to do so with little hope of a break.
2. Why I have a separated shoulder.
3. Why I have a following not unlike a rock star's (and one that is just as fickle).
4. Why I spent several hours standing in a tropical storm for a quick smile, nod of the head, and fast wave from a friend - which meant not more than that to me but a whole ton to him.
5. Why two dinosaurs are suddenly the funniest thing ever to happen to a group of kids - and not say names when it came time to solve the puzzle.
6. Why a crestfallen look from a 16-year-old boy can crush my heart.
7. Why a dancing wildcat mascot is suddenly the best thing ever to walk the earth.
8. Why I spent this past Saturday in bed all day and evening with a 102 degree fever, wanting to crawl in a hole and never come out.
9. Why I will continue to follow inane stupid directions of others, as long as I'm the only one who hears them.
10. Why I will do this all and more again and again. For the next 38 weeks or until I collapse again - and then crawl out of bed and start fresh.
11. Why it's still my turn to give back, until it's someone else's time to step up.