Reflections on a Half Century

I did it. Somehow I’ve managed to survive for half a century. I’ve only gotten this far with lots and lots of help, and for that I am truly thankful.

Laura managed to pull off a surprise party for me this past Saturday after my concert in Hendersonville. I arrived at home (still in my concert tuxedo) to find lots of friends and family at the house. We had a great time.

Laura had told me that we had a Chemistry Christmas Party that evening (which we did) so I needed to get back as soon as I could from the concert, and that created the ruse. She also complained that all of my friends and family’s contact info seems to be in my phone only, so if you wanted to come and didn’t get an invite, please don’t feel offended. We’ve still got lots of beer left, and you’re welcome to come over and party some more!

Folks kept asking me how it feels now that I’ve hit the big Five-O. Not much different than the day before. After all, it is just a number. But it is a cause to reflect. So far I feel pretty good about it.

40 hit me. The year 2000 figured so prominently in SciFi, and seemed so far into the future, that when it actually arrived it was a bit disconcerting. Now that we’re a decade past that, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. However, that last decade seems to have just flown past!

This birthday the fact that I’m getting older didn’t bother me as much. Rather, it was a time to stop and think that I’ve been privileged to participate in some really cool adventures, and that we’ve been really blessed, and that I’ve got an incredible family and friends.

Regrets? Sure! I don’t think any human is without them. There have also been some difficult times. Most recently with the passing of our dear brother-in-law, Eddie, and other health issues in our family. Even in those times we’ve found a way through together, and the good times have certainly outnumbered the bad.

I think the trick is to not let regrets, sadness, and pressure overshadow what you need and want to do. I’m still hoping that there are lots more adventures to come.

Also making their debut in 1960…

• The Greenville Chorale was founded
• Lasers were invented
• The first weather satellite was launched
• The Civil Rights Act was passed
• Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” opened
• The 50 star flag made its debut
• Chubby Checker debuted “The Twist”
• Antonio Bandaras, Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Prince Andrew, John Elway,and Daryl Hannah were born.
• The USS Enterprise was launched (the aircraft carrier, not the starship)
• The Flintstones and The Andy Griffeth Show premiered
• JFK was elected president
• “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published

Two of my close friends from Furman share the same birthday as me, and we lived on the same hall for three years together.

…and finally…

When I logged onto Twitter yesterday I saw that the trending topic was “Birthday Taylor” and I was quite surprised – until I realized that it was Taylor Swift’s birthday yesterday.