Why "A Day Just Like Today"?

I thought that I would spend a moment explaining the title of my blog, "A Day Just Like Today". When I was contemplating names, I wanted something that would perhaps bring a tear to the stunning Mrs. The Major's eyes. "A day just like today" is a line from my favorite song of all time, Sunshine, by John Denver. When I was first learning to play the guitar, John Denver was my teacher. Not literally. In fact, I never even got to see him in concert. But I took the records my sisters had bought back in the '70's, sat by the speakers, and taught myself to play the guitar like John Denver. I even tried my best to sing like him. It is twenty some-odd years later and I don't play like John or sing like him. But he remains as my favorite singer/songwriter. Sunshine resonates with me because of its simplicity. It is one of the easiest songs to play on the guitar. The words are simple. Some would call it a collection of cliches. But as I get older, these cliches have become pretty important in my life. The song is a gentle reminder to appreciate the beauty that surrounds all of us. Now that I am thousands of miles away from my family, my cabin in the mountains, and all that I love and hold dear, I frequently think of how richly God has blessed my life. I have tried to communicate these thoughts to my children in the past. If I leave this life tomorrow, I pray that when my wife and kids hear this song and these words:

"If I had a day, that I could give you,
I'd give to you, a day just like today,
If I had a song, that I could sing for you,
I'd sing a song, to make you feel this way."

...I pray they will think of me and know that if I could give them a day or a song, it would be as beautiful as the sunshine on their shoulders. Even more importantly, though, I pray that they will know that their love and presence in my life was my sunshine.