I am sorry I missed you all yesterday. It was a loooooooong day and a really good day.
Friends, great friends came over for dinner with their kids and then took me to the Wake Forest vs. NC State basketball game.

That is actually why I missed yesterday. By the time we got the house in order, it was time for our visitors & as soon as dinner was over, it was off to the game.

The game play was "okay." But it was one of the best games I ever gone to. Two friends & I got to sit in awesome seats and watch a basketball game. Not only that, I got to see 2 kids play last night that I have known since they were high school sophomores.

So, what did my friends give me for my birthday? A game ticket? A night out with the guys?
NAH....they gave me memories; memories that I almost missed out on. Memories that I hope to look back on when I take my grandkids to a college basketball game.

Last night was a great start to my birthday celebration.

Yep...you heard me (well, okay, you didn't actually HEAR anything).

Today is my birthday. Today, I turned 47 years old.

Today, no one had to remember me, or imagine what I would have done on my birthday.

TODAY I  woke up, took a breath and lived.
And today I can tell you what I did for my birthday.

Boy, now that old joke has new meaning. You know the one.....

It's your BIRTHDAY?!? How old are you?!? Well, it is better than the alternative!

Yes, yes it is better than the alternative, in so many ways, and for so many people.'

So, what DID I do today? I went to work for more than 1/2 a day. A small step forward.
Then I came home and had a great dinner made by my lovely wife & a DELICIOUS cake from Tart's Sweets in Winston-Salem.

No big party, no big announcements, just Ashley, the kids & me; together.....for another day.

I also spent a good bit of time reading the well wishes and happy birthday messages on Facebook. I got nearly 100 of 'em.

MAN...THAT is humbling. I didn't think I KNEW 100 people. The comments ranged from, "Happy bday," to long messages that reminded me how lucky I am. No matter the length, or the message, each of the posts was special to me & I thank you all.

Today I turned 47 years old, and today I turned 7 weeks old. Today, I got to hold my kids and kiss my wife.

Today I was blessed.

Good night and God bless.