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Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Big 5-0

Good lord.  50 years old.  Today at 6:20pm (Mountain time since I was born in Boise, Idaho).  I can't believe it.  But like my mother told me recently, "If you can't believe it, think about me and what it feels like to have a son who is 50!"  She's right.

The good.  And the bad.  The ups and the downs.  Happy and sad times.  Like everyone else.  I have more aches and pains than I used to.  Tummy upset from coffee or creamer or something....more than I used to.  I don't sleep as well.  I get irritated with stupidity and slow drivers.  I used to go to yoga but haven't for a while.  But I want to.  Does that count?  I'm out.  And happy.  And those certainly count for something.  I've learned that some of my ideals early in life were pretty shallow.  And I've allowed myself to age pretty gracefully, I guess.  There has been a family filled with cancers, Lou Gehrig's disease, alcoholism and drug abuse, suicide, fights and the like.  But we're still a pretty tight knit group.  I've hated a few times and I've loved a lot.  There are friends.  Facebook, virtual, and real ones in life.  I love nearly all of them.  I'm pretty simple.  Things that turn me on are the sky, trees, leaves, green grass, rivers and oceans.  Things that mean next to nothing to me are sports, big star entertainment, staying out late, partying, and being loud.  I'm far more irritated than I used to be and will be glad to tell you exactly the things I will put up with and those that I won't.  I can see those things hidden somewhere ahead of me in life that I know I need to connect with but struggle to put into practice.  My connection to technology, the internet, and the iPhone has grown.  My connection to earth, sky and trees has waned.  I don't like it.   I know it.  I've discovered what I like and what I don't like.  I'm pleased with that. Mostly. 

And I've got a partner of nearly 15 years who loves me, cares for me, and has allowed us to create a beautiful, successful life together.  He's far more than I could have ever asked for.  And there's a dog.  A mutt.  A pooch.  Mason.  He's a cutie boy.  To these two things, I say thank you.  For being there for me.  For believing in me.  Today, at 50.  And tomorrow, at 80.

Happy Birthday to me.

18 comments:

Rick Bettencourt said...

Well let me be the first to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

...and to many, many more!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!! I hope your next 50 are just as good...

anne marie in philly said...

I really enjoyed our telephone conversation yesterday. :-)

I know you will continue to evolve to be the the best saint lewis you can be to blair, mason, and the rest of humanity. you have another 50 years to do so. onward to 100!

love you!

Will J said...

"I used to go to yoga but haven't for a while. But I want to"

Definitely 50. That was my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Happy Birthday! Now that you have spent the first part of your life learning how you work, spend the next part of it working with it.

Writer said...

Happy Birthday! :)

Stacey said...

Happy Birthday!

Stephen Chapman said...

Happy birthday

Here's to the next 50!

Wayne said...

And let me be another to wish you a Happy Birthday. May you have many more.

Dave2 said...

Hope somebody gave you the birthday spanking you deserve, young man! Happiest of birthdays to you, sir!

Mike said...

Happy belated! Sounds like a great birthday weekend, filled with fun activities and folks. You've proved that turning 50 doesn't have to be fatal!

wcs said...

Welcome to the club! Enjoy!

Rick said...

Happy Birthday Lewis! I hope it was a happy time for you. I'm glad you have a lover and pooch that loves you.

Iron Fist said...

I may suck at commenting these days but I couldn't miss this: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Jim said...

Happy belated birthday. Remember, you're still younger than me if only by about 6 months.

Greg said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Ur-spo said...

I said it on FB; and I will say it again - congratulations and may the next 50 years be even better than the first 50 !

Birdie said...

After reading that list of celebrations you've had, I'd swear you're a whole lot closer to 20 than fifty. Honey, you've got energy!

Anyway, welcome to the best years of your life! Happy birthday!

LSL said...

I hate it that my comment is late, but please know that I was thinking of you all day on your special day :) You're in my iPhone, so I got a message first thing about your big 5-oh that morning. I hope you had a really great weekend, Lewis. Huge congratulations on an awesome accomplishment. And here's to 50 more! xo