I do hereby proclaim today as “Toot Your Own Horn” day.

I’d like to say that the idea was solely my own, but alas, I cannot. I stole it from a radio station in the wee morning hours Wednesday on the drive to Birmingham. Still, as I listened to the short telephone call-ins, it got me to thinking.

Oftentimes, we don’t give ourselves enough credit for the good things we do.

Some may volunteer at the local food bank. Others may take the time to check on a neighbor, while some may be holding it together by a string. No matter the “what” or “how” behind one’s accomplishment, one should be commended.

The stories on the radio all told of good deeds.

One guy, who, as part of the largest law enforcement motorcycle club in the nation, worked to raise money to purchase things like handicap-accessible van for a family with a wheelchair-bound child.

Another called in and said how he volunteered doing magic shows at the Birmingham children’s hospital.

Most of the time, people who work to benefit others do not do it for the recognition. They do it because it fills a special spot inside them.

So, bear with me a moment while I take my own advice.

I’m not someone who volunteers. I’d love to be. I just don’t have the time. I told someone the other day that I bet people get tired of reading about the funny/sad/poignant things my children do or say. I even apologized and said, “It’s all I do. Get up; put them on the school bus; go to work; pick them back; cook dinner; sleep and repeat.”

I realize now that I shouldn’t make apologies for that. I’m doing a dang good job of keeping it together.

Most of the time my kids go to school with their hair brushed and matching shoes on their feet. Grades not so great? Well, we got a tutor for that.

They’ve got money in their lunch account, and Doritos in their snack bags.

My car is paid for, and everyone has their own bedroom in our new house.

It might sound like I’m bragging, but I’m not. I worked hard to get to where we are today, and thanks to the love and support of my family and friends, I can honestly say, “I’m holding it together.” Now, that’s not to say it’s not going to all go to pot tomorrow.

So now, say you didn’t act on that road rage this morning when that sedan cut you off in the Wal-Mart parking lot, or maybe you always wanted to the world to know you actually sent $5 to the starving children of Africa.

In honor of Leap Year – a day four years in the making – let’s hear it. I urge you to go to The Star-News website, and follow my lead by “tooting your horn.” You might think that no one cares or will read it, but I promise, I will.