Posted by Benton on May 29, 2013 in Family, Grandchildren, Real Life | 0 comments

Some have asked …"How do you feel now that you are at the big 60?"  It's a simple answer:  "More blessed and I feel so much better than I did at 50 or 40 or before!!"  I have such a hard time being negative in this negative world when I have so much to be thankful for.  Anything besides that feels selfish!

My sweet soulmate, best friend and wife along with a lot of family help threw me a surprise birthday party a couple of weeks back.  It was a slam dunk joy for me!  I had a life-long school friend and his wife (Dennis & Melissa) drive up from Birmingham to attend.  I had a daughter and son-in-law with one of my 8 (almost 9) grandchildren (Lindsay, Jim & Charlie) fly up from Miami – scheduling their vacation so they could attend. And I could produce story after story about others who were there and what each means to me.  What a reflection of 60 years represented at that party.  I will never forget it – a few pictures below:

(Click each photo for a larger view)

Then, yesterday, on my birthday morning, my wife comes to me quite early and says…"You should get on Facebook and see all of the birthday wishes posted."  WOW!  As I read each one, I reflected upon memory after memory of why I have had the privilege of knowing each person.  Take a look at this timeline of well wishers and a brief note or two in how I know them.

• Email from Dick R.- who gave me my first job in insurance in 1978.  His yellow pad presentations changed my life and I still use the same idea today!
• Email from my one and ONLY SON (Christopher) making sure he celebrated his Dad (and left a voicemail.)
• A daughter just starting a new job today – making sure I knew she celebrated me and letting me know – it will be much later in my day before she can get two of my grandkids to wish me a happy birthday.  She left a voicemail at the end of the day plus posted on FB post.
• A daughter (Courtney) creative enough to have 3 of my grandchildren record Happy Birthday as they were swinging in their backyard just so I could see and hear from them on my birthday. Crazy wonderful!  Later in the day, she arranged a SKYPE session so we could enjoy them last evening.  FUN!
• My Miami daughter (Lindsay) not forgetting in her post that one of her many trademarks with me is "b-dub" (why – I don't know – but it is and I love it!) but to also be the Poppy of her young Charlie and duly noted that as well.
• An FB post from a close elementary school friend (Cindy) whose father was a pastor in our church.  She actually was one of the first crushes I had as a kid.
• Childhood playfriend (Ben) posted on FB.  Our parents had friendships and we developed friendships that remain some 50 years later.  The great Allen families!
• PapaPeanut Butter – (Bob) – He was the sound guy for our rock band (The Odd Number – and we were) when we traveled the southeast when I was in high school .. How he got that name – I don't remember … but they called me "Tennis Shoe!" Some memories are worth forgetting!!!
• Many folks I grew up with in my hometown (Sherry, Sharon (sang in her wedding nearly 40 years ago), Kathy, Richard, John, Shelia) all finding time to say HI!
• High School friend (Debbie) … who I always wanted to date but she always wanted to date a fellow quartet member. But what a friendship over the years! Blessed!
• A great guy (Ben) who I worked with in christian radio in the 70's. So supportive of me even though I wasn't the easiest to support at times but he still found a way. And he still connected on this birthday.  Blessed!
• One of the great singers of gospel music (Ann) whose group (The Downings) I played on christian radio in the early 70's …. kind enough to say HELLO!
• Dear friend (Beth) from my church worship leadership days at Shades Mtn. Independent in Birmingham. She remains a dear friend some 38 years later.
• Quartet friends from the early 70's: (Rocky – Mr. Bass singer in our quartet and his wife Dee, Warren – one of the best bass players you'll ever find and Ann & Fred – great quartet supporters.
• A lady that made big contributions to a couple of my kids' lives in church Children's Choir (Diane) who continues to bless kids and families today with what I consider a one-of-a-kind ministry.
• Church friend from the early 80's (Julia) who sang in an ensemble I directed at Two Rivers Baptist Church. A great soprano and a blessing to know these many years!
• One of the best percussionists I know (Steve) who played in the worship band when I was worship leader of a church in Nashville/Brentwood a few years back.  He made my keyboard work stay in rhythm!
• And then there are long time friends (David & Leslie) who I worked with at the above mentioned church.  They have given me a very important place in their two boys' lives.  They couldn't make my party but sent a video of their youngest – Jonathan – playing his trombone version of Happy Birthday – Priceless!
• A fellow who I have admired in the world of physical fitness.  Both he and his wife (Jeremy & Tracy) have been motivations for me to stay active and fit.  They've given me "30 something" advice in leading by example. He lost 180lbs by doing fitness the right way.  WOW!
• Our nurse friend of our family and awesome Aunt to our grandkids (Amy) .. Knowing we were in Cabo brought her Spanish out to say "Feliz Cumpleanos!"  🙂
• Sweet sister-in-law (Vee) who I have grown to love and appreciate so very much.  We have covered tough territory working together with my wife during the aging of their mother – my mother-in-law as she aged to passing away a few years back.  We miss her!
• Such a talented nephew from NYC (JC) who has to be one of the best writers of the english word I have ever read.  He found time to throw some words to me.
• My wife's long time friend (Gay) who gives us some of the best pictures from her lake home and gorgeous birds to match. She's taken me right in over the years and I'm grateful!
• My son's mother-in-law and my favorite and ONLY daughter-in-law's Mom (Garnet).  She's a writer too mentioning in her FB post … "I understand this is a birthday with a zero in it!"  I'll remember that when she hits a "0" birthday!
• My webdesigner guy (Josh). When I need patience, creativity and a "30 something" that pushes me to "think out of the box", he's my guy and the best. He has designed many websites for me as well as blogs – including this one you are reading.. He's made social media easier for me.
• A former employee of my insurance agency (Stacee) who followed her husband in ministry to Missouri. She found time to brighten my day after so many days she brightened when she worked with me.
• Fellow insurance agency owners in the Nashville area: (June, WL)
• Clients who are friends too on FB didn't miss their chance to celebrate me one year older.(Jerry, Laura, Dennis)There
• There were others – Marilyn, Jerry, Carol and no doubt others I have missed … but I read each comment and was blessed by them all.
• At our resort property here in Cabo, the concierge – Karen bringing me a platter with Happy Birthday printed in chocolate with a piece of carrot cake to enjoy.  Really surprised me.
• Also at the resort, our spanish speaking (only) housekeeper building a masterpiece of a cake from towels with all the trimmings on our bed.  She got someone to write on a piece of paper how to spell the english – Happy Bday – so she could compose it just right.  Amazing!
• and last but NOT LEAST … my dear Mom – at 82 years young posting on FB AND sending me an EMAIL – the first I received on my birthday! Folks, she's known me from day 1 and I do my best to keep her away from all of you because she knows most every detail of these 60 years and you don't need to know it. I love my Mama!

So you ask…"How was your birthday?"  Maybe this gives you an idea!  My dear wife has made sure this year that as I cross the gateway into what I'm calling my final 1/3 of this best life, that I won't forget it and feel the love of those who care.  She succeeded first by her being the center of it all and then those, such as yourself who have helped make sure of it.  I'm speechless and for me (you all know), that is unusual!!!

THANK YOU!  Much love to you and your families.  Let's get on with this last 1/3 and beyond!

BW