Monday was my 81st birthday and I started the morning as I always do by praying and reading a devotional called “The Word for You Today.”

The spiritual message for Monday, Sept. 21 stated that gratitude comes with a host of benefits. It improves your heart rhythm, reduces stress and helps you heal physically and think more clearly under pressure.

It floods your body and brain with endorphins that strengthen and rejuvenate you. And, like any muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it grows. It doesn’t have to be complicated; just take a walk and think about your blessings and it will set the tone for your day.

It was a reminder to me that it’s impossible to be hateful when you’re grateful.

The tone was set for my day, starting with my regular stop at PJ’s Coffee. While having coffee with my friend, Mike Patorno, two ladies presented me with a muffin, which had a lit candle on it and sang, “Happy Birthday.”

Mike didn’t know it was my birthday and said, “What’s your next goal — to make it to 82?”

“At my age, I’m looking forward to 81½.” When Mike left, another good friend, Pastor Paul Naylor of First Baptist Church came, and we visited for a few minutes.

My daughter, Ronny, took me and my wife to lunch at the Peppermill in Metairie. The food was good, but nothing can beat the company.

Tonight, the family will get together with a cake from Whole Foods Market in Metairie.

Eighty-one years old! It’s hard to believe that those years have passed so fast! I shouldn’t be surprised, because the Bible says that life is but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.

During those years, with all the bad choices I’ve made and the trials God allowed me to go through, I’m thankful for God’s Grace which helped me to be a better person.

I’m very grateful for my salvation and that I’ve been blessed with a godly wife, four unselfish children, 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. God has been so good to me.

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477 or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.