Today was a special day. Rarely do I get the opportunity to fill a day with the amount of purpose as I did over the last 12 hours.

Today I picked up two recovering addicts and spent half the day with them, doing manual labor together, chatting about our backgrounds, and enjoying a nice lunch together.

Coach Shaffer (my grade school teacher and basketball coach) reached out weeks ago to see if I knew a contractor who might be able to tackle a moisture intrusion problem at her house. I then reached out to my childhood friend Angel, an expert in restoration who willingly committed himself to head up this project. Angel, the two helpers, and I completed phase one of the project efficiently and quickly.

Angel was my childhood best friend. He has always loved me and has always been there for me. I wish I could say I was the same friend to him. Angel wasn’t one of the cool kids- but he was an amazing kid. He immigrated to the US when he was maybe 9 years old. His English wasn’t perfect, he spoke w an accent, his mom was a custodian at our school, his brother had an obvious chronic illness, his dad wasn’t in the picture, and everyone knew Angel was at the school on scholarship. I could probably write a few more run-on sentences describing the tough childhood he had. Through all of this, he was incredibly resilient and resourceful.

I was his first friend here in the US, but over the next few years I was a pretty shitty friend. I’m embarrassed now that I was embarrassed of him then. Middle school can be so horrible.

I’m thankful I don’t have a life full of regrets… but I do regret that I have hurt some people. I’m thankful Angel is a good man and is full of forgiveness. I’m thankful he now knows I love him too. I’m thankful he is still a great friend. It was such a blessing to be with him today.

Coach. Tears well up when I think of the love she has shown me. I worked my tail off in basketball because she made me feel like I was special. Summer camp, PE class, pizza-making time, me farting during team huddles… so many great memories. I could write a few more run-on sentences about her as well.

One last run-on sentence…

Crammed into the rest of the day was a hospital visit for one of my ALF residents, a flurry of work calls and e-mails, coffee with a mentor to discuss how I can be a better father to my 13 year old daughter, prayer and a chat with the drug rehab director, a few miles on the rowing machine, watching my 16 year old daughter cheer at a game, and only about 20 minutes of paperwork.

I got to be a dad today. I did critical but brief work for the business. I spent valuable time with two men who are turning their lives around. I spent time in prayer and fellowship with other believers. I served with my friend. I gave back just an ounce of the love I received from Coach.

Pardon the language, but that’s a pretty fucking perfect day.