Happy Birthday to Me
Hi my friends! and Happy Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!
Some of you might be wondering why would this guy be wishing himself Happy Birthday? Trust me, this would not be normal for me.
To be honest, birthdays were never a very big deal to me. This year is different and a little unique. I am now on the 3rd year of living with “Glioblastoma” a very aggressive cancer that I have lived much longer than normal. To be alive on November 8th, feeling pretty well and celebrating my 60th birthday, makes me say, “Happy Birthday to Me.” I am a very grateful man!!!
A few things I am thinking about today.
I am so grateful for Natalie and my children, Michael, Mason and Madison.
My family has been such a blessing on this journey. On a journey none of us thought we would be on.
Natalie has been the women I have loved and chose to marry 36 years ago next month, December 19th. I don’t believe she would have ever assumed she would be on this journey. I have been a husband who takes very good care of himself. A solid relationship with God and a man who has taken constant physical care of himself. A husband who has never been perfect, but has worked hard to love her well….To find out the time line is coming has been hard on her.
I have 3 children who I believe have been amazing gifts from God. Was never a perfect father. Over the years, as their father, I believe I got better at loving them, giving them freedom to be who they believed God has created them to be. My kids have chosen amazing spouses. Kimberly, Cecily and Cole are all incredible gifts. My kids made great choices wives and a husband to do life with.
Part of this journey and my walks most mornings I don’t spend a lot of time on focused time with my family. I focus on what a gift from God they have been. I think about the little ways I can remind and encourage they have and always will be loved by their husband and father. I can mess that up but keep going back to letting them know, “THEY ARE LOVED.”
So many things this 60th birthday has reminded of what an amazing life I have had. A few things I continue to reflect on:
The incredible family I have had over my life.
My mother and sisters
Grandma Mead, who was also a connection to my father Chester.
My best friend Michael Taylor and his mom and dad who were like my mom and dad, Hanson and Margret. Met this family when I was 5 years old.
I am not going to mention by names, to many, but the friendships over the years and how important many of those have been at different times of my life. I have a group of men and several women who have joined me on this cancer journey. The time and energy they have provided has been the best medicine I have taken.
The men and women I don’t know well who have provided love and support in many ways.
The time I have taken for myself. Time to think, pray and walk. Time spent focused on the gifts of this life and not so much on the challenges and imperfection I have in this life.
I started this journey 3 years ago this month. I have shared that journal entry from the day I found out I had a brain tumor. I did not like that news and acknowledged, “I would need God’s love and grace to walk this out.”
God has been so good and faithful. I can say today at “60” I still need to know His love and grace!
I don’t know how many days I have left. Feeling pretty well today. Trying to keep enjoying “Today”.
Who knows maybe I will writing a note on my 61st birthday!!!
However long I have I want to remind each of you on my 60th birthday, each of you are,,,
Loved and of Great Value…..