I am a very rich man.
I'm not measuring that wealth in money, although having lots of money can be fun. Nothing wrong with money, as long as it doesn't become too important.
Let me share my wealth with you and see if you can relate.
One of my most, most favorite experiences of abundance comes during a night when I'm not sleeping well. I lie there with my mind clicking along, trying not to move too much so I don't keep my beloved Betsy awake... she has such a challenging work life, and needs her rest.
But being awake is not being asleep, and she senses, way down, that I'm awake and restless.
I tend to sleep on my left side, and on a sleepless night, I'm there, ever-hopeful that I'll sink down and go.
That's when I feel her gently mold herself along my back, one arm over my waist, hand on my arm, warm breath on the back of my neck. Maybe even a kiss on my neck, right there, and then she's asleep again.
I feel her warmth, her deep relaxation, and it's so soothing and glorious that I drift off.
I'm rich, I tell you. Moments like that can't be bought.
Or take Saturday mornings.
We have a ritual. There's a relaxed waking up -- usually she beats me out of bed and I wake up smelling coffee and hearing the small sounds she makes out there beginning her day.
I wander into the kitchen mussed and sleepy, and we make some kind of plan for the day, the special day when we get to be together and do whatever we want.
It always begins with breakfast out.
There's a wonderful cafe down the road where we claim a table, music quietly filling the air, a relaxed, informal vibe. We load up on breakfast sandwiches, scones and juice, reading the paper and taking our time -- a shameless weekend luxury -- until we're ready to go.
We wander about, stopping here or there on our chore list, picking up dog food, groceries, a wall switch. The superb luxury of being together and unscheduled is a high like a drug.
There might be a nap in the afternoon.
After that, I might read while she checks emails. Football or gardening or cooking. There's an undercurrent of contentment that we're here together, snug in our house in the woods, just hanging out.
We're rich... rich, I tell you, and that's mighty alright.
Come on, snuggle up.
- The Acolyte
