How much does Hashem bless me? I'll tell you...

Okay, so I could never count the ways in which I am blessed. Certainly there are many ways of which I am not even aware and certainly for which I do not say enough thanks.

This one however I just have to share. Some of you are aware that I've returned to school, yet again, whilst working full-time. Not being daddy-warbucks or having a sugar-daddy, money can be tight, even when the state covers tuition as one of my benefits of employment. I kind of consider it compensation for hard work and limited budgets. Anyway... textbooks are not covered. They are an "on your own" expense, which wouldn't be so bad if the bloody things didn't amount to something close to tuition.

I arrived home this evening, around 5:45pm, not really thinking too much about how I was going to get books. I sorted some laundry and headed off to the laundromat, with my Bar Mitzvah study materials and iPod in hand. As the clothes tossed around in the washer and dryer I practiced blesssings and portions of Torah and Haftarah. I was so high, so excited. In the car on the way home I'm singing L'dor V'dor. When I get home the combination of laundromat and the extreme heat in the Piedmont Triad of NC has resulted in my schvitzing so much that I could have done a miniature remake of the parting of the Reed Sea. I take myself a shower and refresh, while listening to a Neshama Carlebach interview on Too Jewish Radio.

As I step out of the shower it occurs to me "just give it a try, the worst will be no," and I got dressed, hopped on my bike and headed to the University library. Wow, believe it or not, all four texts that I need right now were available for check out. Absolutely amazing I tell you, ab-so-lute-ly amazing. I'll add that as I found the fourth book on the shelf I stopped and said the Shecheyanu. As I exited the library and saw the sky above, the moon and stars, I said it again, feeling overwhelmed with blessings. Removing the lock from my bike I pedaled home, getting some much needed exercise, however schvitzing all over again, even more than last time. I'll shower again in the morning. I've got reading to do. Baruch Hashem.