As I enter my 51st year, I am reflecting upon the great first 50.  I never really believed I would make it to 12 or 25 or 30 or 40??  But 50 was unimagined to me as a child.  In 1982, I learned about George Orwell’s book and that it meant the end of the world was coming in 1984. This terrified me. It left me fearful of dying young and after 1984 when the world kept on spinning, I felt like it was borrowed time.  I kept plugging along and one day I had a son.  A.J. brought a whole new fear into me… the fear of not being there to raise him to take care of himself. That was accomplished and his sister also made it to being an adult. I now feel afraid there aren’t more days ahead than behind.  

This leads me to this morning.  One day after turning 50. I had the greatest of birthdays this year… all of them have been good since I met Sara and found out we had the same birthday and would be sharing them for the rest of our lives together. This one though…it had a little something extra. Friday night people showed up and celebrated with me.  Celebrated making it through one half a century on this planet. We played and listened to live music…which by the way is the BEST music. I have made so many new friends in the last 5 years and a lot of them showed up for the party as well as friends I have had forever and my family…well as many of them that were able to make it.  

The best gift was given to me this year.  The love of my friends and family.  I felt it from everyone I saw, talked to on the phone, texted me, posted on my Facebook wall and who sent me cards and gifts via good old fashioned mail service.   

For all these gifts.  I felt the love.  Thank you.  

Here’s to another trip around the sun.  Let’s make 51 even better.  

The best gift was given to me this year.  The love of my friends and family.  I felt it from everyone I saw, talked to on the phone, texted me, posted on my Facebook wall and who sent me cards and gifts via good old fashioned mail service.   

For all these gifts.  I felt the love.  Thank you.  

Here’s to another trip around the sun.  Let’s make 51 even better.