Happy Birthday to Me, Ole!

"Today you are You; that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."
— Dr. Seuss (Happy Birthday to You!)

Good morning party people; how are you? It’s my birthday! I slept in, and my wife finally said, “lover, it’s 8:00 a.m., and you are still in bed. Are you ok? And I said, “it’s my birthday!” She smiled and let me be me. I love my wife; I love my wife more than I love my life, and I think I might be the most blessed man on this earth.

I woke up to several text messages from those that I love. I got a photo of my friend from New Jersey flipping me off, a lovely letter from my ex-wife, and multiple messages from friends, and it’s only 8:00 a.m. I hope you are blessed as I am; that is my wish.

I drove up to Muncie to meet my daughter for lunch. She got me a t-shirt stating, “my favorite people call me Granson.” That’s my grandpa’s name; we will see if the kids adopt my chosen name. My favorite gift is a hand-made Chex mix; my daughter did not disappoint.

I got home and worked a little on my deck; my friend Joshua arrived from Colorado, staying in our carriage house. We made dinner last night and then came home and watched the new Ricky Gervais special. I’m not sure why people are angry, he told a few jokes, and we all laughed: it’s jokes, folks?

So what does a 53-year-old man do on his birthday? Well, I’ll work from home this morning, around noon I’ll walk down to get a chicken sandwich with my friend, then I’ll return and work more from home. At about 4:30, my wife will arrive home; we will have a drink and maybe head to get some dinner.

So what have I learned in 53 years? Let me share that no matter your heart, you will offend your friends at some point, your good friends will let you know you hurt them, and your loser friends will ghost you. I’ve been ghosted a few times, and I shake my head, so we weren’t friends?  To all those who have left my circle, good riddance; you were a drain on me the entire time you were in my life.  You have been replaced.

I’ve learned family trumps all; no matter the situation, your family will rise above the masses and show you who the cream of your life is. I have a great family; some are blood, others are not, but I call them family, and that’s good enough for me.

I got my teeth cleaned yesterday! I get my teeth cleaned every three months, but due to scheduling issues, it has been a whole year since my last visit. The technician was kind; I apologized for my tardiness, my teeth are in good shape, and they have some new 3 d video thing that is kind of weird, but all good, even chewing multiple pieces of Nicorette Gum daily.  I set my next appointment for August; I’ll fly home to get my teeth cleaned.

I have 15 years of birthday writings; I think I might go back and read how I was feeling those days; I have a written history of my life; truthfully, I won’t read them; I look forward, never behind. I’ve got a major life event happening in a few days; more about that later. For now, I will enjoy my wife, life, and friends.

I spent an hour with a long-time client; we have done business for 20 years; he is old school, smart as a whip, but does not want you to know of his brilliance. We discussed retirement and how we would never retire; we agreed that it’s the first step to death when folks retire. I’ll work until I bloody well die. Thank you, Allen for your wisdom

I got home, worked to answer my 100-plus email, and Joshua joined me on my back patio. We caught up; he’s got a new gig; it’s incredible; more about that when they go public. I have stories that I can’t share yet.

Well, there you have it, the words and ideas of an older man fading into his final days, I think I’ve got another 60 or so years on this earth, but I’m still a learned man with many experiences that I suspect will help those younger than I.

Joleen is talking, PVHT is watching with interest, we have friends joining us on Saturday and family joining us on Sunday, and tomorrow is Friday; I’ll give a recap of this day, but for now, cheers, my birthday.

"Today you are You; that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."
— Dr. Seuss (Happy Birthday to You!)