3 Thoughts I Had This Year On My Birthday

On June 10th, I added a 37th candle to my birthday cake.  And, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been very big on celebrating me.  But, as I get older, each year takes on a different meaning.  My wife and kids celebrated me and I got some cards in the mail.  All of that I love.  There are 3 distinct things that I found myself thinking about:

1. I am looking back.  I remember having a birthday party at McDonalds when I was a kid.  I remember that even on my sister’s birthday I would get a gift (and she got one on my birthday too!).  I remember how hard my parents tried to get me the perfect gift.  I remember always having a birthday party with family and, often, friends.  I remember going up in front of my church (about 100 people) and they would sing happy birthday to me. I remember my dad adding to the end of the Happy Birthday song “…and many more on channel four, how old are you on channel two…”
2. I am thinking about now.  Am I where I thought I would be at age 37?  How has this last year been for me?  Did I do better this year than last?  Am I satisfied, fulfilled, and heading in the right direction?
3. I am thinking about the future.  Are the best years really “yet to come”?  What plans am I making to make next year better than this year?  What does the future hold for me and my family?

How about you?  What do you think about on your birthday?  What traditions do you and/or your family have to celebrate birthdays?  Post your comments below…