Happy Birthday, Tim

I'm actually a day late for this. Tim's birthday was yesterday. He turned 50! The big 5-0...half a century...over the hill...old. You hear it all when it comes to a milestone birthday, but especially the 50th it seems. And most of the comments are derogatory...very negative. I don't like that. A birthday is to celebrate. Celebrate life. Celebrate living. I was in Hallmark shopping for a birthday card and every card - without exception - designated for a 50th birthday was negative and mostly in a humorous way pointing out the not-so-pleasant aspects of getting old. Where are the cards that shout "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU MADE IT! WAY TO GO! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY LIVED 50 YEARS!" I get a little bit confused. When a couple has been married for 50 years, it is referred to as their "Golden" anniversary and everything is happy and very positive, but when someone has a 50th birthday, they are referred to as being old and over the hill. Well, let me just tell you...Tim is definitely NOT over the hill. He is very much alive, vibrant and active. Age, I think, is mostly a state of mind anyway. It has been said for years that you are only as old as you feel. Well, thank you, there are days when I must feel at least 100! And other days I feel like I could keep up with the youngest, most active child! I know Tim doesn't feel good every day (who does?!), but he is staying busy and active (physically and mentally), and every day with him is golden. There was a time a few years back when we didn't know if he'd have another birthday. Praise the Lord, he has had several birthdays since then, and we expect him to have many, many more. Tim has accomplished more since his illness than he did in all the years before. He is even completing his doctorate degree. He has many plans and goals that he is striving to attain and I believe we will see him reach them. Every single one.

Fifty years...Tim? Yes, he's 50.
Old? Not yet.
Over the hill? Definitely not. Still climbing and reaching!
Golden? Most definitely!

So, Happy Golden Birthday, Tim! You're worth more to me than all the gold in the world. I look forward to spending at least another 50 golden years with you!! I love you!