Yvonne and I have birthdays two weeks apart, so milestone birthdays are always cool. However, turning 60, we thought to be a relatively low key affair. We looked forward to getting together with the kids and grandkids the first weekend of November on Yvonne’s actual birthday in Marco Island and thought that was terrific. We didn’t want to make a big deal out of turning 60, we really did enjoy the time with the kids and grandkids. Used to be 30 years ago, we’d want to get away from the kids! Now we can’t wait to see them and long weekends are a great way to do that!
Well our daughters, and our Mom and Dad decided that a surprise was to be in store for us and they shocked us, and touched us immensely! Much of our extended family came to visit and surprise us with a dinner and party. Then of course another one the next day and wind down party on Sunday too. Wow! First how did they pull that off, and second how didn’t Yvonne sniff it out?
Her sister’s, my brother and sister from Michigan came, as well as our local family and our family from Arizona. Total surprise!
Our brother-in-law Hector cooked for the second party and our Grandson’s Birthday, Wesley is three!
It was a great party weekend and we cannot thank everyone enough, so many gave of their time and spent so much to reward Yvonne and I for making it to this milestone of 60 years old!
Back to turning 60… of course we’ve been thinking about slowing down, and someday soon retiring. Recently we’ve gotten excited about planning for retirement including spending summers in Michigan, with a condo we purchased near family, and making time for travel.
While everyone was visiting and thru Thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for, especially with such wonderful family and friends! Work jumped up to put demands on me. For three weeks in a row, I worked production on a project that was behind and burning our team out. At 60 I had a chance to understand and to demonstrate a commitment to customer and to team that I think was good for others to see. Many asked, why are you working so hard? The ones that know and understand me the best, required no explanation. They knew I would have to drive to deliver on commitments and to support the team
Well at 60 it was harder to stay up and party with everyone and get up and go to work the next morning than it used to be, but I did it. I was happy to see that I could still do it (for a short time anyway) and reminded me that 60 isn’t so old after all… but retirement still seems so very attractive!
Oh, and maybe we learned that birthdays shouldn’t be low-key, but rather enjoyed and a celebrated part of life, for sure they are precious, and not guaranteed.