Here is my shotgun
word of appreciation for all of the “Happy Birthday's” I received yesterday. I
do wish I could say thank you in person to everyone. That, however, would necessitate a trip from
Colorado to Florida.
That
is a copy of what I posted earlier on FaceBook.
As I have pondered it since then I have come to realize that the scope
of my journey might be just a tad bit more involved. Now bear with me for a moment. I have to do some summarizing so that these
comments may be forever embedded in blogging history for my children to peruse
long after I am gone and realize that I really wasn’t such a bad dude after
all.
Oh,
my day was nice. Someone brought a
birthday cake to church, so we got to have a little party there. After church we went to Salsa’s for lunch
with some friends. Then Chris hurried
over to the fire department union hall for Cailyn’s Brownie advancement
ceremony. I settled in to watch some
Astros baseball and have a piece of chocolate pie. That is, until I got a text from Nathan
informing me that Dad’s and Grandads were expected at the girl’s only Brownie
thing after all. Seems when we get old
we no longer count as “boys.” I was happy to go, though. And back to back home runs by the BlueJays
had nothing to do with my decision.
After the ceremony we came home and I finally got to settle into my
chair. We watched the Olympics instead
of the Astros, though. More USA
victories that way.
As
my gaze wandered between the tv screen and checking my birthday wishes I became
more and more amazed at the wide array of people who consider me at least
a FaceBook-level friend. I did a breakdown …
There
were wishes from my Family, of course.
And
many folks from the different churches we have been associated with over the
years: Grace Episcopal in Galveston, University Hills in Colorado, South Oaks in
Arlington, Langwood in Houston, First Baptist in Galveston, and of course
Seaside in Jamaica Beach.
I
also got to re-live some personal history.
I received good wishes from folks I knew in: Little League, Junior high
football, Ball High friends, High school basketball, Church softball, College days,
Seminary days, an old neighbor, and even a few of Mom’s friends.
I
appreciated the words from some of the other places that have provided me with different
“hats” as well: The Galveston Fire Department is always special. So is the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire
Department. I have a friend or two in the
EMS Service as well. The police department
gets a nod in there, as does the Village of Jamaica Beach. Oh, and there were many comments from folks I
have met and befriended while coaching basketball.
But
back to geography. I think I have
accumulated all the different places people “Happy Birthday’d” me from. This would have to be my “Thank You Trip” itinerary:
Florida,
Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Nebraska, Washington State, Alaska, Oklahoma,
Missouri, New Mexico, Virginia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Arkansas, Indiana, and South
Carolina. Now that’s a pretty involved
tour of the U.S., don’t you think? Well I
have to add one more, just to make this trip interesting. Thank you to AL and Krissy who wished me well
from their home in Australia. Chris …
are you ready for a LONG plane ride?
I
got a big kick out of the monkey face, the ugly Christmas sweater photo (I WILL
wear that thing this Christmas), and the Morgan Freeman face. I even enjoyed the little bantering about
that cat growing in a flower pot – from the Boyer family, of course. I always knew cats were strange
creatures. I just never realized they
grew in flower pots until yesterday.
Maybe if we sold flower pot lids …?
The
most interesting one has to go to a college-era friend. He sent this: “Terevy ‘ aiteke ko nde ara mbotyre.” Apparently it means, “happy birthday to you, in your joyous
occasion.” He said it was in
Guarani, or Spanish that is spoken in Paraguay.
He was a missionary there, I think.
Of
course I appreciated the ones that downplayed the extensive nature of my “career”
here on earth. Like “39?” and “Happy birthday,
youngen.”
Then
there was “Happy birthday and I hope you don’t have to work too hard.” Smart aleck.
He knew it was Sunday.
And
I loved the one from Danny, a guy I worked in youth ministry with in Denver. He
is now an incredibly successful pastor in Virginia. His words encouraged me more than he will
know … “Thanks for teaching me some stuff.”
Spoken just like a youth pastor, wouldn’t you say?
I’ll
close with some of the blessings people sent:
“Every
day of the year, may you feel Jesus near.” (Janet likes to rhyme)
“May
your day be filled with all you love.”
(Actually this came from several people)
“May
the cake be perfectly squished.” (Sigh …
Connie, Connie, Connie. It will always
be YOUR cake that is smashed)
May
there be many more years that you share your joy among us and with your family. (Special words from a good man. Thanks, Ernest)
And
my all-time favorite birthday blessing of 2016 – one that I hope to take action
on real soon … “May your bait catch more fish or die trying.” (Corbin, you hit, Brother. Let’s go catch some specs).
I
love you all!
Proverbs17:17
says, “A friend loves at all times, and a
brother is born for adversity.”
Father,
please bless all these folks who wished blessing upon me. Amen.
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