Stories
Happy Birthday 2023
Today is my birthday, and I turn 67 years old. Now to some of you and the teenage version on me, that seems pretty old. But I will address that by relaying the words of a t-shirt Shannon bought me when I turned fifty. “Getting old is inevitable, maturing is optional!” I am happy to say I have used this as my motto, and plan to keep it until getting old is no longer evitable.
How about a few Dad Jokes as my present to you?
I only know 25 letters of the alphabet — I just don’t know y.
RIP, boiling water. You will be mist.
My dog is a genius. When I asked him, “What’s two minus two?” He said nothing.
Okay, that’s enough of that. I would like to continue talking about my birthday, since I am the one writing this story, and everything should be about me. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone in my family and they will back me up on that. I would like to talk about some of my best birthday presents. When I was younger, I remember getting a pair of new Adidas basketball shoes, and I was so happy. When I turned 17, I got a new team roping saddle and it was the first saddle I could call my own. I was on cloud nine when I sat on it for the first time. I covered a lot of miles on cattle roundups and competed in many rodeos in that saddle. Every time someone asked me what my favorite birthday present was, this saddle was my response hands down.
In 1982, Shannon and I were trying to pick the date for our wedding. I was working at John Deere and the best time to take off was after spring planting and before the first crop of hay cutting. So, we decided to get married on my birthday. I always told her that was the best day so I wouldn’t forget our anniversary. That birthday was one of best because I became Shannon’s husband and Justin and Ryan’s Dad. It gave me a purpose and direction to my life that I needed so much.
Since I met Kristi in 2013, every year she always does something special for my birthday. She plans so many fun things and buys me so many thoughtful presents. On my 60th birthday, she planned a huge surprise party at Stockman’s, and had all my friends from basketball and all of my family show up. I was so surprised to walk in and see everyone. That was the best surprise party I have ever had, and I am so grateful to Kristi for making me feel so special and loved.
As I review the last five months of dealing with the medical situation with my knee, the best present for my birthday has been all the love and support I have gotten from all of my family and friends. It has been quite an ordeal to say the least. But it would have been so much worse without the compassion and assistance I have gotten from everyone. This is truly one of the best birthday presents I could ever ask for. Thank you for all of it, and thanks for reading.
P.S. I could still use a brand new truck if you’re still thinking of a gift.