It was recently pointed out that I am obese.

As if I did not know this.

Maybe the X's at the beginning of my shirt size should have been a clue to me. My employer decided it best that I should be notified of this breaking development. I, on the other hand, did not appreciate their willingness to point out the painfully obvious.

All is well now after discussing my dissatisfaction with HR and the Administrator. They promise to not bring it up anymore.

This just builds on top of a terrible two months I have experienced. The fear, stress, and feelings of failure have led me down the road of depression. Even flirting with the idea of suicide.

I am not going to do something so drastic but I do need to do something drastic. I need to change. I am not sure how or even what, except for needing to buy new underwear, but just something.

I am open to suggestions.

You see, my oldest son is a lot like me.

His hair, his nose, his eyes, and right down to the glasses.

I have heard a good bit lately about the torment he has went through at school with bullies. My heart breaks with every word. Maybe it is because I can relate. The name calling, the hitting, or just the verbal threats. All of it was terrible for me so I know how he feels. As of late he told me about kids calling him a "nerd". As an adult I do not see the threat or feel the hurt of this word. I do remember the pain as a child.

Being called names meant you were an outcast. It meant you were not accepted. This is painful to kids (adults as well). They feel rejected and less of a person. Kids want nothing more than to be accepted by their peers. They want friends. This is part of the reason why they call everyone they meet their friends. They do not see color, social, or financial status. They see people who are like them and want to share in a relationship of happiness and fun. This possibility is stripped away when the name calling or bullying starts.

My son is loving, compassionate, and smart. He wears glasses like me, his Dad. He likes to take apart computers. Yes, by some people's standards he may be a nerd but he is my nerd. I am a nerd. I love him for that because I see myself in him. I see a boy who will grow up intelligent, loving, and friendly. I see a boy who will grow up to be a better man than I am. It is just sad that his heart has to be broken because people can not look past his glasses.

Logan, you are my best friend. I will always cherish the day you were born. I love you!

Now that I have climbed out of the spinning vortex that some people call life. You know! The vortex that drains all signs of energy and emotion that is within you.

You get it now don't you?

Uh huh... I knew you would understand.

Anywho... two days ago my wife celebrated her 31st........ (Ow!)........ okay, okay........her 29th birthday. (We all know how old she is.)

Even though I did not get to do as much as I would like to have for her she still humored me and said it was a good birthday. My biggest concern was for what came up today, two days after her birthday. It was on this day, March 12, four years ago that her dad was called home. It was a sorrowful time for all of us. He was a loving and God loving man. His family was truly blessed by his life. I was truly blessed by his life.

We all miss him dearly. The main thing that bothers us is that he is not here to share his love with the grandkids he loved so much.

L.T., we miss you and thank our Father in heaven that we were able to share this life with you.

To quote a phrase my wife uses, "Happy heavenly birthday, Daddy!"