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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Birthday Reflections

Today is my birthday.  I am now entering my thirty-fourth year on this earth. When I was in my twenties, my birthday was a great reason to go out and party. In my thirties, I try not to spend my birthdays thinking, “I thought I’d be somewhere bigger doing something better by now.”  Though sometimes, this thought does cross my mind.  The truth is, I wish I had finished my dissertation by now and was teaching full-time in college.  However, I have the firm belief that God has a plan for me.  I don't know yet what it is, but I have to believe that I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life.  There is no room for regrets in life, though we all have them.  Instead, I like to take each day as they come and look to the future.  I try to be the person I want to be and strive to be all that I can be, which is really the most we can ask of ourselves.  We also must know our limitations, so that we are not disappointed when we try to do too much at once.

Happy birthday to me!
I love having a birthday.  It's my special day, and though some people hate being a year older, I always find it better than the alternative.  At thirty-four, I still have a lot of life left to live, and on this journey, I hope that it is  bit of an adventure.  There is an old Chinese curse that states: "May you live in interesting times."  I have never thought this to be a curse, especially as an historian.  In the present, we live on the front lines of history, and what would life be, if it were always boring.

So on this birthday I want to leave you with a poem that I came across.  This goes out to all those who have had a birthday already this year or will be having one this year.

A Birthday Wish
by Faye Diane Kilday

I wish you love and laughter,
happiness and cheer,
I hope that you'll have fun
today...
And throughout the coming
year.
I hope your aspirations will
become reality...
I hope you'll be exactly what
you really want to be.
But most of all I hope this
birthday's better than the
rest...
For you're a special person
who deserves the very best!

© Faye Kilday 2000
at

17 comments:

  1. ScottNovember 30, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Happy Birthday to a fellow Sag!

    ReplyDelete
  2. silvereagleNovember 30, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Joe -- Having to write again here..the first message hit a road block I guess

    At any rate, you will have a great day today, after all, it is your birthday!!! I had it marked on the calendar from your posting last week.

    With a guide post such as you have set:

    "I have the firm belief that God has a plan for me. I don't know yet what it is, but I have to believe that I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life."

    you will have many more great brithdays before you. Enjoy them all and the opportunities that present you each day between those mile markers.

    34? Only 34??? Wow! You have done great things for so many in these 34 years...I can only imagine the impact you will have in the next 34!!

    Thanks again for this posting, especially the one today....and HAVE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    Let's get a bite to eat some time during the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MikeNovember 30, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Happy Birthday, Joe!!! Hope you get some time out from work to relax!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Queer HeavenNovember 30, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    happy Birthday! Wish I had known.. I would have sent you a cake.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 30, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Hope you have a good birthday. I think we all feel like we should be doing something more at one point. It's not necessarily bad to feel like that. What you do after will probably tell you more.

    ReplyDelete
  6. xNovember 30, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    I think you are a phenomenally talented awesome guy who is right where he out to be -- sharing your warmth and intelligence with the world. i wish you a very happy birthday and a year of happiness and blowjobs from sexy Starbucks coffee guys.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Happy Birthday, Joe!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Dear Joe
    First may I add my best wishes for your birthday.

    This is just a thought, if you had been teaching at University or College you would not have the time that you have now to write this blog. Also you would be teaching about 100 people in any one year. Now through this blog you are reaching out to so many more people and in some cases making a profound impact on their life.

    You do not know me, but one one item you wrote about was of great help to me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Happy birthday, Joe.

    Dan

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

    Peace <3
    Jay

    ReplyDelete
  11. JohnNovember 30, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Happy Birthday :)

    I have 22 years on you and party doesn't come to mind any more. Reflection and planning is more like it.

    Enjoy yourself but be an ant rather than a grasshopper. It is November anyway.

    I enjoy your 'other' blog - a favorite destination.

    Many happy returns for all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MackNovember 30, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Happy birthday Joe. I wish you all the best for the next 34 and 34 years after that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. fan of caseyNovember 30, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    Joe: Happy 34th birthday!

    Most of us have to face not having our wishes come true exactly as planned. Unforeseen detours and setbacks occur -- that's what happens with life. But with continue perseverance, I am confident you will achieve your dreams.

    And we will be there to cheer you on.

    ReplyDelete
  14. JoeNovember 30, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Thank you all for your wonderful birthday wishes. You have made my day super special. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. brotherdocDecember 1, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Allow me to add belated birthday wishes, Joe. Thanks for the poem too for you are a special person.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pinocchi0December 2, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Happy birthday to you and thanks for the beautiful present, i.e. your blog ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. .December 2, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Happy to birthday Joe!!!

    ReplyDelete

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