35 & Counting

I recently had my 35th birthday. Holy cow!!! 35!!! When most people find out my age they have two thoughts. Their first thought is, “You look a lot younger.” The second thought is, “You act like you’re still in High School.” And they’re right on both counts. I can’t believe in 5 years I’ll be eligible for the 40 and over league (which I plan on dominating).

My sister’s birthday is actually a day before mine. She’s a year younger. I remember growing up and having to share the party and the birthday cake. I would tell my mom, “Hey, other kids have their own party why can’t I have mine?” To this day I still believe that she planned it that way in order to save time and money by having only to plan one party and buy one cake- a tactic I may use myself when the kids come.

As time passed, I’m not sure when I stopped celebrating my birthday. It just became another day in the life of The Jammer. The birthday party simply lost its luster. I didn’t want to be reminded of inching closer to death. Not to mention you get to a point in your life when, if you plan a birthday party, you usually have to pay for that party. No thanks, I thought. If I wanted to hang out with friends I’d just call them and hang out. Simplicity is beautiful.

I realize that I may sound a little morbid or a complete party pooper. I’m really not. I just don’t care for my own birthday. But one of the great perks of getting married is that you marry into a family, unless that family is crazy of course. My family is only semi-crazy. This year my wife planned a wonderful dinner at the in-laws and invited some friends. We feasted on grilled steak that the father-in-law (aka. The Big Boss Man) grilled up with wonderful sides dishes as well. Food. Is. Good.

My wife baked a cake and had the laborious duty of setting thirty-five candles on it. She could’ve just got the number candles and put a 3 and a 5. Then we could’ve used them again for when the kids are 3 and 5 or when I turn 53. I guess she wanted me to have a challenge in blowing out all those candles. After the cutting of the cake we started opening gifts, most of which were cards and gift cards to Cheesecake Factory. Yes, my family knows me well. My buddy Jason Smith actually gave me a hand made card with different pictures of a day trip we took to Santa Barbara with our wives. It was quite moving. My little niece, Maddie, even gave me a card. It was a drawing of me as an orange stick figure. Maybe she went with orange because she couldn’t tell whether I was yellow or brown. I think orange is a good compromise. I proceed to examine the card and tell her all the nice things about it. My mother-in-law (aka The Mother-In-Law) later told me the way I handled Maddie showed her that I’m going to be a good father someday. I told her, “As long as they don’t cry or ask me for anything I think I’ll be a great parent.”

Upon reflection, I would’ve never thought I’d be here. What do I mean by “here?” If you knew me in high school you would’ve thought that I’d either end up in jail or be some kind of deadbeat and you’d be right. When Christ captured my heart the narrative in my life took a drastic turn. I marvel at the work He’s done in my life and continue to grow in increased wonder at His kindness towards me. As a result of God changing my life, I now have a home, the best wife in the world, and a family that cares enough about me to do something for my birthday. Yes, God is amazing and He desires to do a work within our lives in order to bless us all the more. This is our God. Amazing.