Today is my birthday! 50 years old
Or half a century, if you want to make it sound dramatic. But let’s be real: 50 years old sounds WAY better than half a century, so we’re rolling with that. A couple of days ago, I was struggling a bit with the idea of hitting this milestone. It felt heavy, daunting, like some imaginary clock was ticking louder than usual. But as birthdays tend to do, the feeling passed, and today I woke up... fine. Better than fine, actually. I’m embracing it because, really, what other choice do I have?
The LAST hours of my 40's .. Hahaha .. I just couldn't hold back the fake tears
This morning, before heading into work .. I sat in my truck for a few quiet minutes. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and let gratitude wash over me. It’s truly a blessing to have lived this long and experienced so much. Has life thrown a few curveballs? Absolutely. There have been moments of disappointment and unexpected detours, but when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I can’t help but feel incredibly fortunate. I’m here. I’m alive. I’m living life.
And oh, how much I have to be thankful for:
My loving wife, who has been my rock and my heart for over three decades.
Our little bundle of curiosity and energy, Mr. Huxley.
A supportive family and wonderful friends who’ve been there through thick and thin.
A cozy home to call our own.
The opportunity to take vacations that inspire me and fill my creative well.
The list could go on and on .. And when I reflect on all of that, how could I feel anything but gratitude? Sure, 50 is a big number, but when you’re surrounded by so much love and happiness, age feels like just a number.
Of course, it’s fun to think about the world I was born into in January 1975. Back then, gas was around 57 cents a gallon, and the world was listening to hits like Elton John’s “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and Barry Manilow’s “Mandy.” The Altair 8800, the first home computer, had just launched, and the Vietnam War was winding down. What a time to come into the world, with all its changes and possibilities on the horizon.
A Silver Coin To Mark The Occasion ???
Now, I wanted to mark this occasion with something symbolic from my collection .. A silver coin from 1975. It felt like the perfect tie-in, but guess what? I don’t have one. I figured, no problem, I’ll dig through my loose change and find something from 1975 to share... and came up empty-handed AGAIN. That’s when it hit me: 1975 was 50 YEARS AGO (again .. Ouch.) What are the chances of stumbling across loose change that old in my pocket? Slim to none, apparently.
So, instead, I decided to share something else that feels special and symbolic. Meet my 14K gold pocket watch, a treasure I picked up several years ago at an antique shop.
Yes that's me in the photo. This is early 1980s but I think we were still stuck in the 70s. Lol
While it’s not from 1975 .. It instead dates all the way back to 1920 — a full 105 years ago. This watch still works beautifully, ticking away as if time itself hasn’t passed. Holding it reminds me that age is all about perspective. If this watch can stay timeless, why can’t I?
Here’s to 50 years of life and counting
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey so far — I wouldn’t trade a single moment. Cheers to the next chapter!
