So, I made it to 50…. I am as surprised as you are! Truly. As a young man, doing stupid things in far away places, I didn’t think that I would ever live to see this milestone – 30 seemed like a real reach at that point.
It has been a ride! A really good one so far! I have been presented opportunities that I couldn’t have ever dreamed of growing up in East Texas and have been really lucky so many times! I have a great career, an amazing wife (more to come on that subject), three healthy children, a shop full of tools, tales of high adventure, a warm & love-filled home, and 50 years of happy memories. There have been rough spots. Lord knows, I have had heartache, debt, fear, injuries, and disappointments, but measured on a set of scales in my heart, the bad times are so very small compared to all the other.
For my birthday itself…
I knew something was going on. Laurel is bad a secrets. There were whispers, deliveries intercepted in the driveway, probing questions, and phone calls that I was not allowed in the room for. I knew there was going to be a “surprise” party, but I didn’t have the details.
I was off work for the latter half of the day the Friday before my actual birthday and I had to run an errand in town around 2:00. When I came back, my buddy Mark, his wife, and their two boys were in sitting on the floor in the baby’s room playing with blocks! There were hugs and laughter and smiles all around. This was my first time meeting his boys in person. Shortly after that Grover rolled in. More hugs and laughter. Next, my son just opened the front door and bounded up the stairs two at a time. I cried when I saw him – big tears. Carlton almost immediately sat on my couch and held Logan. It was so moving and again the tears just flowed (there is a pattern there). Seeing the two of them together with everyone else in the same room was all I could have ever hoped for. There were a lot of miracles sitting in that one spot.
Herbert was next, a huge surprise, with a big bear hug and more shock and tears. His wife, Cyndi, came in the next day. David ninja-walked up the stairs after and I was shocked/amazed! It is not often that a Lt. Colonel in the Army gets 3 days off in a row. Adam and his girlfriend Anny came in later. I felt so amazing lucky and loved that night!
Ross and his son Beckett arrived the next morning (American Airlines screwed their trip up and messed with Laurel’s surprise). There were more hugs and laughter all around. She did this. My wife got almost every single one of my friends together for my “Done Got Old” party. I was so proud of her colluding and sneaking! My heart grew two sizes filling with love and admiration for that terrific woman and what she had done.
I don’t know if I can adequately express my feelings of gratitude for all of my dear friends, their wives, girlfriends, and children taking the time and expense to be with me on my birthday. It was not a small thing – it was/is a giant act of love. Travel is tough (American Airlines and all) and vacation days are precious. The fact that Laurel and all of them made it happen, in-spite of the distance and challenges, truly made me feel as if I had won the lottery. I get weepy about it as I type these words. Seeing all of my people come through my door brought me so much joy! It is a thing that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my days.
It was awesome getting to spend that much time with two of my children and most of my oldest friends! Truly such a treasure. Just sitting outside under the porch roof, sharing a beer or three and laughing, talking, smiling, listening, with some good natured cajoling thrown in.
We had a little party Saturday night, with 25 or so folks. Old friends, family, new friends, and neighbors. We fed everyone smoked brisket, southern sides, and Dwayne’s yummy/tender smoked ribs. There were two ice chests full of beer, a table laden with wine, champagne in the fridge, and lots of alcohol-free choices for the folks not drinking. I needed zero presents. Absolute zero. My heart was full.
But some really thoughtful and amazing presents showed up as well.
Carlton, who is a budding and talented leather crafter and holster maker, presented me a fittingly simple, old style hand-tooled holster for my Daddy’s inexpensive .22cal DA revolver. I love it for punching paper and Daddy loved it too, maybe even more than his 30/06 rifle, but not quite as much as his Ithaca shotgun. That pistol has needed a good holster for a couple decades and it means so much that it now rests in one that my son/his grandson made with his own hands. I will treasure it. I have shared pictures of the holster with a few people that want their own versions now. So proud!
Dwayne gave me some cool VW related decor that was very much needed in addition to smoking the ribs for the party and delivering the cake. There were giant F-YOU! glittery middle finger candles in the middle of the cake. A good egg that one.
Grover, like Carlton, gave me the gift of his time. He made me a Star Trek (original series) themed USS Enterprise (NC-1701) bridge diorama with my Star-Date birthday engraved on the top. It is by far and away the “coolest” present that I have been given as an adult! Seriously! Grover went all out: He built the box, CNCed the emblem and date, 3D printed some of the missing and custom model parts, painted the scenery and figures, applied the decals, wired the circuit board, did some coding for the Arduino, painted and finished the box. In all seriousness maybe 200 hours of his time was put into this. When is the last time you spent 200+ hours for someone you know that is not your child, spouse, or someone you are trying very hard to make the sex with?! It is UBER nerdy amazing! Here is his video of making it. He said nice things!
My Star Date 
The Bridge of NC-1701
During the party, and after the cake, I was sat down and given a large heavy box. I unwrapped and told a couple stories while doing so and when I got to the center of that particular Tootsie Roll Pop there was a watch inside. Not a Micky mouse watch. Something MUCH more amazing! I was given an Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean. All my friends pitched in and helped my wife buy it. She and Ross spent days looking and deciding – something like 60 text messages between the two alone.
I was beyond stunned and I cried again – As I said, there is a pattern. A video of the occasion and me crying like a baby can be seen here.
I have wanted this watch for years. It has been my unattainable dream. Something that I lust after through shop windows and know I will never be able to afford – Like a 14 year old wanting a Lamborghini Diablo and a 6’2” supermodel girlfriend. I was and am still stunned that my wife put all this together and that my friends come all the way to Oregon and then did this and the watch has not left my wrist except when I am in the shop or at the forge.
As I said to the folks that night at the house, I feel loved and seen and appreciated. I am just so full of gratitude.
Folks hung around for the entire weekend and we went to see some of the local sites, went to the ocean and played in the sand and water. There were video games, laughter, brunch, board games, scotch, stories and no drama what so ever. If I never celebrate another birthday It will be OK.
I will treasure the memory of that long weekend and of my 50th Birthday.
