How lucky we are.

In our hustle and rush thru our daily lives, we often forget just how fortunate most of us really are. We whine and complain about work, when there's many people that would kill for 1/2 of what we make in a year, or just to even have a job in the 1st place.
We complain about our friends and their "trivial" drama lives, yet there's so many out there that have no one to turn to when they need a hand, or just a shoulder to lean on.
We compain about not having the best of whatever... but there's people that have to walk miles to work, live in less than acceptable places, and haven't had clothes that were just theirs in years.

This weekend, I was reminded of how lucky I am, both as a person, and a son. A very good friend of mine, actually it's the whole family I'm close to... had a birthday party this weekend to celebrate their's son's 1st B-day. I was the only "non-family" person there. I know they look at me as family, as I do to them. A few years ago, my friend's father , who is diabetic lost his legs from sugars. This man while not perfect, has been one of the most influential people in my younger years shaping the car-guy that I am.
When I was a kid, there was always some really cool cars in the garage, driveway, or stories about the cars he owned and the times he had with them. The oldest boy came home in the family's 1967 Corvette 427 Stingray which was in the family for close to 30 years. I remember as a young boy sitting with his youngest boy ( my age ) in the car in the garage taking turns "driving the car" and having a blast. Waiting for the day I might get to go for a real ride in the car. Thru the years, he always had old muscle cars and new fast cars in there... but the Vette was always there...
It was my 1st exposure to that car, and is the main reason I'm as passionate about the model as I am.
His dad has changed alot of the past few years. No doubt that his situation has had a grand effect on his outlook. Instead of being someone that feels "why me" and wants to just sit there and let everyone wait on him, he's become very independent and says he can't wait to get his "new legs" so he can get back out and do things. He's waiting on his new powered wheel chair, and when asked about what color he wanted, he told them he wanted bright flames on the side... wants it to be set on thei highest power range so he can go fast...

He and I talked boaut modern cars and when he mentioned he was out of touch on what was out there these days, he said "Hey, do you have any old car magazines that are recent? I could really use to get up to speed on what's cool out there again.."
I told him that it would be NO PROBLEM to get him some to read. So, before he left, I decided that I was going to do one better... asking the mother about his address ( they're since divorced but still close ), and explaining WHY I wanted it, to get some subscriptions sent to his place, she about broke down. Telling me i didn't have to do that...
I feel it's the least I can do. They always welcomed me in their home, treating me as their adopted son, shaping so much of who I've become ( on my car side ) that I can't think of a reason NOT to do something.

Here's a man that is trying to rebuild himself and while he's not 100% perky and positive all the time, he's far more happy about life than people I know that are far better off.

Funny how something like that can have such a profound affect on you.