2/15/13

In a few hours…

In a few hours, I will be 51 years old.

Sydney says that’s old, but I’m having trouble thinking of it as anything but a lucky age.  I think I had to get here to realize how lucky I am to have made it, when so many didn’t. 

When I was young, there was a rash of suicides among my high school classmates who were gay.  Later, I survived the AIDS pandemic.  There were wars, car accidents, drugs, cancer, and lightening strikes.  Rob and I even witnessed a murder/suicide. 

So, when I think about what I had to survive to be 51 years old, I can’t help but think of this as a good day. 

I didn’t make a million dollars, and no one will be more surprised if I ever do.  I didn’t change the world…remember when we all talked about that in college?

I never played sports.  Now that we have Sydney, I think I really missed something there that would have taught me about teamwork.  I wasn’t interested when I was young enough to do it without injury.  But, I learned to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, and sew.  Hmmm, that says something, I’m sure, I’m just not sure how important it is.

When I turned 50, I committed to a Jubilee Quilt.  It isn’t finished.  But, I won three first place ribbons in a quilt show.  That has to count for something.

I have held a steady job since I was 15.  I’ve never had anything repossessed and I have managed to save a little for retirement. 

I have the best husband any man (or woman) could ask for.  We’ve had our trouble, but what makes a man a good husband is his willingness to fit with you to make a relationship work.  We’ve both proven our willingness to do that. 

And, lo and behold, something I never thought would happen when I was younger; I have a daughter.  And, not just that, but a well adjusted daughter; and most important, I have a good relationship with her…better than I had with my parents.  And, that’s saying something because I had a pretty darn good relationship with my parents when I was 15.

I have friends and a full life where there is more to do than there is time to do it.  I would hate to be bored.

All in all, it’s been pretty good.  Happy days outnumber sad days; who could ask for more? 

So, I’m wearing my WORLD’S BEST DAD pin that came with my birthday card and spending the day in my jim-jams, making a shirt.  My birthday requests were three favors; I want Rob to take me to the garden center in his truck tomorrow, I want us to go to dinner with our friends LD and J on Saturday night, and I don’t want anybody to ask me any questions from the time I got up this morning, until the time I go to bed on Sunday…not a “when do you want to…” or a “what would you like to…” or a “what’s for…”  Not a single question.  Doesn’t sound like too much, huh?

Hope your day is equally good. 

Lane

34 comments:

Linda in TX said...

Happy Birthday Lane. I think you have everything a man (or woman!) could want or need, and I love that you're smart enough to know that. Enjoy every minute of your day - and the rest of your life!

Kath said...

Have a wonderful birthday Lane, I'm happy you shared a little of your life with us today, it was so lovely xx

Elizabeth said...

Happy Birthday! Loved this post!

xo -E

Nancy said...

It's my bday too! Funny I would stumble on this blog today! Life is indeed good. To love & be loved in return!

Piece by Piece said...

Happy Birthday.
Have a great day.
Patricia

Sharon said...

Happy birthday.. What wonderful summery of your 51 years. Many blessing acknowledged. And sure many more to come.
Hope no questions for three days happens.. What a treat that would be.. Celebrate and enjoy your sewing day..

regan said...

Happy Birthday, Lane! And along with Nancy (above), it's my bday, too! Woohoo! We're all, along with Susan B. Anthony, in very good company! :o) Enjoy your day. And I REALLY like that 'no questions' gift! Hmmmmm. I may have to use that some time! :o)

andsewon said...

Happy Birthday Lane! Wishing you a day full of all you wished for!!! Now as for that part about not changing the world..oh yeah you have an do every day!
Maybe not in front page news ways but in the everyday living your life ways!
I do not look at my age number on birthdays but life experiences! Same as you thank goodness I am still here in one piece , walking and able to forgive people who hurt a little girl!
I found life after 50 liberating! Hope you do too!
Sew On!
Hugs!
Lola

Anonymous said...

Happiest of Birthdays Lane. I'm wishing you all the best. Loved this post. Barb

qltmom9 said...

I'm just ornery enough to try to think of questions I could ask that would make you laugh...would you mind? LOL! I hope your day is lovely and love continues ALWAYS in your home.~

Lucy~

Suzanne said...

Happy birthday weekend! I really like your "no questions" idea.

Bianca said...

Happy Birthday Lane!!! 51 is a good age. My hubby will be 51 in a month too and has a simular way of looking at life. Knowing you did good is a rich feeling I think.
You're a rich guy, having a great husband and daughter, a full life and friends and family to enjoy it with.
Have a wonderful day today with you loved ones.
Big Dutch kiss from me!
Bianca

Steffi´s Candy Quilts said...

Happy Birthday Lane!
Enjoy your day. You are right, getting older is a privilege.
Hugs from Germany,
Steffi

lw said...

Happy birthday, Lane! You remind me of this poem.

If the foot of the trees were not tied to earth,
they would be pursuing me…
For I have blossomed so much,
I am the envy of the gardens.
--Rumi

Kim West said...

Happy birthday to you! I hope you have a great day!

Marei said...

Happy Birthday, Lane. Sounds like you've got a great plan for the bday weekend. Enjoy.

JoAnne said...

Happy Birthday Lane! I hope you get all your requests and that the weekend is great.

Paulette said...

Happy birthday, Lane! Enjoy your day, and I hope you get exactly what you asked for!

Samantha said...

Happy B-Day Lane! :D
*cheesy singing* Aaaannndddd many moooooooore!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Lane. Thanks for sharing.
cindy

Mary said...

Hope you are having a very happy birthday. It sure seem like you have a lot to be happy about, it is quite a quiver full of goodness.

Maureen in Portland said...

Happy Birthday, Lane! But "no questions" for 3 whole days ... I might have to put blue tape over my mouth. BTW, I was about Sydney's age when you were born, and I was pretty well-adjusted, too. (Still 15, though, which has its inherent moments.) Enjoy your birthday weekend and the great year that is ahead of you!

Hazel said...

Happy Birthday Lane ,enjoy your special day .

mssewcrazy said...

Happy Birthday! As for the needle skills as opposed to sports not being counted as accomplishment as an amateur knitter, I would say being able to knit a sweater and socks as you do and cranking out a zillion some award winning quilts counts for a lot.

scrappy101 said...

Happy Birthday Lane, the best is yet to come....Tell Sydney you're still a young man.

Coloradolady said...

Old? Well, maybe not you...but today I feel older than dirt....ahem.....Happy, happy Birthday! I sent you a message this morning on facebook to wish you a Happy Birthday, did not want you to think I forgot, I did not! I hope you had a great day doing what you wanted to do and no questions asked! Sounds like the perfect day to me!! Here is to the next year being the best yet!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!! and thank you for letting me lurk around your blog. I enjoy it, sewing quilts vicariously (something I will never do in real life) and listening to the parent of a teenage girl, something I never got to be. I had boys. Have a good day.

Patricia said...

Have a very happy day/week-end!!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Lane!

Rebecca Grace said...

Happy birthday, Lane! What a beautiful post from a beautiful person. Also, "changing the world" doesn't have to be radical and violent (in the way that Julius Caesar or Napoleon or Hitler changed the world!). I think that positive change is wrought in tiny increments, so small that you don't realize the impact of it all as its happening. Your life has blessed your family and countless others with so much love, creativity and beauty. What more could you ask of a life well-lived?

Wishing you a beautiful day, sans questions, and many more birthdays to look forward to.

Rebecca

Shevvy said...

Happy birthday, hope you've had the question free weekend you wished for xx

Peter Lappin said...

Happy Birthday, Lane. I think you have a full and exciting life and you've probably changed the world in more ways than you think -- it doesn't have to be huge to be significant!

Carla said...

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Vesuviusmama said...

Sorry I missed your birthday, Lane, all wrapped up in my own life. I hope it was a wonderful one!