Bad days:

— In the second grade, I ran away from school because I hadn’t done my homework. I hid in the alley all afternoon while plotting a scheme that would keep me from having to return.

— On my 41st birthday, I figured that was enough. I tried to kill myself. It didn’t work.

— Because of a paltry few health hazards, they stopped making Blue Bell ice cream for a while.

Those were bad weeks. But they couldn’t compare to this week.

I’m that guy being swept downstream, trying desperately to keep his head above water while dodging boulders along the way. It’s not working that well.

And then.

For no particular reason, I got a text from my sister today. It said simply: “I’m glad you were born.”

Life is all about perspective. You win some, you lose some. And sometimes when you’re losing a lot, you forget. I guess that’s why you have friends. That little reminder that life is worth living for, no matter what Rudy says.

I don’t know what’s around the next turn. I’m buckling up the seat belt, breathing deeply and hoping for the best as we go into the tunnel. Life is funny. Let’s laugh more, OK?

I’m glad you were born, too.