So Yesterday I turned a year older and I started to think about all the years I have been lucky enough to be alive. I am by no means old... least I don't feel like it. I have been thinking about how every year people care enough to wish me a happy birthday and even have parties for me. Love is amazing. It comes in so many different forms and it overwhelms me at times. I have been loved and cared for in so many ways in my little life that I can't help but to feel just a little special... Like all of us should feel. We are living a gift... Anyway, I think a top five birthday list is in order but these aren't I any order.
1.) Basketball birthdays: When I was younger I loved playing sports... Especially basketball, and I was pretty good too. Anyway, I had several birthday parties when I was in middle school where a bunch of my best friends came over and we played ball all day, normally at my grandma's house. For whatever reason I always felt like I played the best on my birthday at my grandma's house! (or maybe my buddies just went easy on me... but I doubt it) These birthdays all sort of become one to me, and really they only lasted a few years. BUT they were super special to me. Thanks to Brent, Nick, BJ, Ryan, Jason, Mike(s), Kevin, Matt and Brad for always giving me great competition and laughs during those years!
2.) Dinner at mom/grandma's house: This happens every year, and I always love it. My brother is always there too! Anyway, they always make me one of my favorite meals... It could be hamburger patties w/ white gravy (Cause I'm a simple man) Steak and a baked potato, Tuna and noodles, a nice pork roast or something I haven't had in awhile that I forgot I love. See, my mom and grandma's food always tastes just a little better cause they put that little extra care in thinking up something they know I like! Then they cook it that way I grew up eating it and it always has the taste of home! That's a gift that few people can give you. Thanks to these two angels!
3.) Cedar Point w/ Dad: We did this as a trip for awhile, and sometimes it would be around my birthday! It was never really about going to the park and riding roller coasters... At least not for me. Most the time it would be Dad, Brad, Kevin and me or some times a friend like my buddy Aaron... But we always had fun talking about movies and comics on the drive up, at the park waiting line, at the hotel, and the drive home. One of the stories I will save for another time, but it involves my very patient younger brother and a very real seeming dream I had! Anyway, we had a great time playing this game where we'd all name as many films at we could that a certain actor was in. We'd pick all the obscure actors or remember weird small roles they were in... It was great fun for movie buffs. So thanks Dad those were great birthdays.
4.) My 21st birthday: In my family the 21st birthday is a pretty cool tradition. We all stand in a circle and stab each other w/ out special birthday cake sporks... Wait, that was a dream I had after I passed out on my 21st :) Seriously though... we stand around in a circle and each person in the family shares a story or their thoughts about the the person turning 21. I remember feeling very loved and overwhelmed by what people remembered about me and what they had to say. That was a very special birthday for me. Thanks to all involved! Love you all.
5.) 30th: I couldn't have been more surprised! It had already been probably the greatest birthday ever! I can't go into detail... All I can say is that to this day it is one of the greatest days of my life. I was surrounded by people who love me and by all of the things that I love! Like I mentioned earlier I have been loved many ways in my life by so many people, but the fact that one person put the whole thing together and hid it from me for weeks still levels me. I will never forget that feeling and what it meant to me. Thanks Hali. Thanks for everything.
Thank you for reading and thank you to all... That's I have to say.
1.) Basketball birthdays: When I was younger I loved playing sports... Especially basketball, and I was pretty good too. Anyway, I had several birthday parties when I was in middle school where a bunch of my best friends came over and we played ball all day, normally at my grandma's house. For whatever reason I always felt like I played the best on my birthday at my grandma's house! (or maybe my buddies just went easy on me... but I doubt it) These birthdays all sort of become one to me, and really they only lasted a few years. BUT they were super special to me. Thanks to Brent, Nick, BJ, Ryan, Jason, Mike(s), Kevin, Matt and Brad for always giving me great competition and laughs during those years!
2.) Dinner at mom/grandma's house: This happens every year, and I always love it. My brother is always there too! Anyway, they always make me one of my favorite meals... It could be hamburger patties w/ white gravy (Cause I'm a simple man) Steak and a baked potato, Tuna and noodles, a nice pork roast or something I haven't had in awhile that I forgot I love. See, my mom and grandma's food always tastes just a little better cause they put that little extra care in thinking up something they know I like! Then they cook it that way I grew up eating it and it always has the taste of home! That's a gift that few people can give you. Thanks to these two angels!
3.) Cedar Point w/ Dad: We did this as a trip for awhile, and sometimes it would be around my birthday! It was never really about going to the park and riding roller coasters... At least not for me. Most the time it would be Dad, Brad, Kevin and me or some times a friend like my buddy Aaron... But we always had fun talking about movies and comics on the drive up, at the park waiting line, at the hotel, and the drive home. One of the stories I will save for another time, but it involves my very patient younger brother and a very real seeming dream I had! Anyway, we had a great time playing this game where we'd all name as many films at we could that a certain actor was in. We'd pick all the obscure actors or remember weird small roles they were in... It was great fun for movie buffs. So thanks Dad those were great birthdays.
4.) My 21st birthday: In my family the 21st birthday is a pretty cool tradition. We all stand in a circle and stab each other w/ out special birthday cake sporks... Wait, that was a dream I had after I passed out on my 21st :) Seriously though... we stand around in a circle and each person in the family shares a story or their thoughts about the the person turning 21. I remember feeling very loved and overwhelmed by what people remembered about me and what they had to say. That was a very special birthday for me. Thanks to all involved! Love you all.
5.) 30th: I couldn't have been more surprised! It had already been probably the greatest birthday ever! I can't go into detail... All I can say is that to this day it is one of the greatest days of my life. I was surrounded by people who love me and by all of the things that I love! Like I mentioned earlier I have been loved many ways in my life by so many people, but the fact that one person put the whole thing together and hid it from me for weeks still levels me. I will never forget that feeling and what it meant to me. Thanks Hali. Thanks for everything.
Thank you for reading and thank you to all... That's I have to say.