This particular day is special to me, but to most others, it's just another day. I do know that many of the world's great basketball players were born today - myself, Michael Jordan, and the list goes on :o) and most people haven't thought about that phenomenon. In 42 years, alot of people have celebrated along with me..they may have shared a birthday wish, a birthday toast, or watched me blow out candles (or helped me blow them out when I was really little). Some of these people are not here today, but I do think of them and the person that they helped me become.
February 17th has been momentous on many occasions in my life - I recall playing some high school basketball games on this day back in the late 80s. And if it wasn't a game, I was trekking though snow to participate in lengthy, exhausted practices in a hot/sweaty gym in NJ. I have fond memories of my younger years, as I had some of the best meals prepared for me...all my FAVORITES including cabbage-n-noodles, chicken/beans/rice, stuffed cabbage and bacon-and-egg sandwiches. And it always was followed up with some of the best desserts made in the planet. Mom and grandmom certainly made sure I did not go hungry on my birthday! And I recall spending time with my dogs - at the time Murphy, Barney, and A.J. all seemed to know it was my birthday and enjoyed accompanying me on these cold winter days in our basement.
Half my life ago, or 21 years ago at age 21, I will never forget the dubbed "Calendar Boy Bar Tour" at Penn State. It was my official first legal day to participate in the activity of consuming an alcoholic beverage. My friends who accompanied me though this marathon of bar hopping may remember us beginning at 7pm at the Phyrst, making stops at the Skeller, Lion's Den, G-Man, Saloon, and others... and proceeding to convince me it would be a great idea to have 21 shots for each of my 21 years. I only recall the first 13, but I do not think I have had a "cement mixer", a "mind eraser", or Rumpleminze ever since. I guess I had to try everything once!
I recall sitting for my series 7 exam (and passing) in 1997. Also on this day in 2012, I made the "move to independence" and joined Ameriprise as a franchise Financial Advisor. Of course, a day that I will never forget - getting married to my wonderful and beautiful wife in 2013 in Coral Gables! That was a day that will be difficult to top in all of my 42 birthdays!
As for the future - carpe diem. I just plan on living each day one-by-one, with my wife, friends, pets, and family at my side. I will make more efforts to becoming mindful and enjoying the moments as they come. Life is too short, and there is too much left to do and accomplish in what little time I (we) have in the world. I don't want to hold anything back - I want to experience life to the fullest, and incorporate travel, health, learning, and having fun as much as possible. Hopefully we will have kids in the not-to-distant future, we Christine and I can make many memories with them. And in another 21 years from now I will be reminiscing on this birthday moment recalling how time flies...just from today 2-17-2015.
