BIRTHDAY!
Saturday, I turn 35. Wow! I remember turning 5!!!!!!!!!
I spent a little time looking through some old photos of myself and my family to share with you, and honestly thought, "Why cause pain to my friends!?!?!?"
Hahaha! No, not really. The main thing I kept coming up with in looking through photos was just that I wanted to be together with my family. Birthdays, anniversary parties, days in the wheat field playing in the back of the grain truck; walking on "adventures" with Grandma Leibbrandt trekking through several acres of Grandpa's land; cheering for my cousins at their ball games; putting Helen (now my '55) in the parade with my Uncles; going to Halloween parties dressed up as everything from whistling belly midgets to Dracula, to men from the mob, and many in between; digging in the sand on the beach at the lake, and finding all sorts of who knows what underneath; finding a "monster" in the garbage can at the lake (it was an ENORMOUS catfish that scared the wits out of all of us), water fights with Aunt Weezer, and more.
Over the last 35 years, I have enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and learned a lot. That's not to say I don't have a lot of learning yet to do, but I've come a long ways from the little naive 8 year old who used to ride to work with my dad in his company pickup!
In my next 35 years, I will be 70. (Yikes...) I'm sure that by then, kids and grandkids later, I will be wiser still, but as each day slides by quicker with each passing year, I will continue to hold on for dear life to those moments that mean something to us all.
And honestly, I was doing great with the whole birthday thing, until a customer came into the office, and informed me that after tomorrow, I only had 15 years til I was 50.................... LOL.
I found a funny story that seemed like something that would happen to me... Hope you enjoy it!
It was the 2nd of October, 2004, and for the first time I was not with my family to celebrate my birthday. Till now, every year we had a grand birthday party. But this year I had moved away to pursue my education.
I spent a little time looking through some old photos of myself and my family to share with you, and honestly thought, "Why cause pain to my friends!?!?!?" Hahaha! No, not really. The main thing I kept coming up with in looking through photos was just that I wanted to be together with my family. Birthdays, anniversary parties, days in the wheat field playing in the back of the grain truck; walking on "adventures" with Grandma Leibbrandt trekking through several acres of Grandpa's land; cheering for my cousins at their ball games; putting Helen (now my '55) in the parade with my Uncles; going to Halloween parties dressed up as everything from whistling belly midgets to Dracula, to men from the mob, and many in between; digging in the sand on the beach at the lake, and finding all sorts of who knows what underneath; finding a "monster" in the garbage can at the lake (it was an ENORMOUS catfish that scared the wits out of all of us), water fights with Aunt Weezer, and more.
Over the last 35 years, I have enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and learned a lot. That's not to say I don't have a lot of learning yet to do, but I've come a long ways from the little naive 8 year old who used to ride to work with my dad in his company pickup!In my next 35 years, I will be 70. (Yikes...) I'm sure that by then, kids and grandkids later, I will be wiser still, but as each day slides by quicker with each passing year, I will continue to hold on for dear life to those moments that mean something to us all.And honestly, I was doing great with the whole birthday thing, until a customer came into the office, and informed me that after tomorrow, I only had 15 years til I was 50.................... LOL.
I found a funny story that seemed like something that would happen to me... Hope you enjoy it!
It was the 2nd of October, 2004, and for the first time I was not with my family to celebrate my birthday. Till now, every year we had a grand birthday party. But this year I had moved away to pursue my education.
At 12
o'clock midnight was a call from my dad. We spoke for a long time, mostly about
how much we missed each other and how much fun it would be to celebrate my
birthday together.
After this sad conversation, I knew that I had to be there with my family on this day. Impulsively, without letting my parents know my intentions, I left for home to give them a surprise visit.
I boarded a train at 3 a.m. It took 14 hours to reach my home. I was standing outside my house full of joy, and just when I was about to ring the door bell, my phone rang.
It was my dad on the other side so I picked up the call. "Where are you, my son? Open the door and come outside." said my dad.
I got confused and urged my dad to open his door. Now my dad was also confused, but within seconds laughter broke out from both sides as I realized that he was there along with my mother, standing outside my hostel to give me a surprise visit.
We couldn't stop laughing for a minute, then decided to meet at a halfway place. It took more than 6 hours to reach the railway station where my parents were waiting with a cake in hand.
When they saw me, there was still 5 minutes left in the day, so they started singing the "Happy Birthday song" for me even though the station was very crowded.
To my uttermost surprise, the people on the platform joined my parents in singing. And there, in front of a thousand strangers, was the most memorable and craziest birthday in my heart. I blew out the candles there at the station, and was wished "Happy Birthday!" by all.
After this sad conversation, I knew that I had to be there with my family on this day. Impulsively, without letting my parents know my intentions, I left for home to give them a surprise visit.
I boarded a train at 3 a.m. It took 14 hours to reach my home. I was standing outside my house full of joy, and just when I was about to ring the door bell, my phone rang.
It was my dad on the other side so I picked up the call. "Where are you, my son? Open the door and come outside." said my dad.
I got confused and urged my dad to open his door. Now my dad was also confused, but within seconds laughter broke out from both sides as I realized that he was there along with my mother, standing outside my hostel to give me a surprise visit.
We couldn't stop laughing for a minute, then decided to meet at a halfway place. It took more than 6 hours to reach the railway station where my parents were waiting with a cake in hand.
When they saw me, there was still 5 minutes left in the day, so they started singing the "Happy Birthday song" for me even though the station was very crowded.
To my uttermost surprise, the people on the platform joined my parents in singing. And there, in front of a thousand strangers, was the most memorable and craziest birthday in my heart. I blew out the candles there at the station, and was wished "Happy Birthday!" by all.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
JB
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