My wife & I recently got new checks. Previously we had breast cancer awareness checks and “Minions” checks. This time we decided on checks based on the movie “Inside Out” and immediately upon their arrival realized our mistake. The packaging displayed all six versions of the checks. In large, all-caps letters, the checks had the words “ANGER,” “DISGUST,” “SADNESS,” “FEAR,” “JOY” AND “BING BONG.” The first check we had to write was for a wedding gift. These checks didn’t offer many options.

So now we write checks to church which say anger and we write checks to the hair dresser which say disgust. It’s kind of funny, actually. But there are still those happy occasions. We have to ration those Joy checks; we don’t want to confuse the newlyweds.

So last night I woke up with a creative thought. I have to write a graduation card for a high school graduate headed to the University of Michigan later this month. The card I got has an image of bridge on the front. Here’s the message I woke up with during the middle of the night.

“A person crosses many bridges during a lifetime – sometimes alone, sometimes with others – sometimes over turbulent waters, sometimes over calm. You’re stepping onto one of those bridges soon which help define us and shape our lives. It may be a little scary for those first few steps, but I am confident it will be one of your favorite bridges on your life’s journey. Congratulations!”

I like the message and it came to me rather easily other than the missed sleep. Not only that, it allows me to use a “Fear” check for a happy occasion. I like when things work out that way.