Birthday Ideas & Advice

On September 11th, 2001 I was sitting at my desk at a software company in Palm Beach Gardens , FL. It was like any other morning really, a few phone calls, a few emails and I knew I had to endure the co-workers with cake and song routine at some point. What I had no idea was about to happen was the most cowardly and deadly attack on US soil in history. When the first plane hit I just thought small plane/bad weather, but after the second plane hit I had a sinking feeling I cant really accurately describe that something was going horribly wrong. With accurate reports came false reports of attacks on the US Embassy and that people were calling from the World Trade Center rubble on the cell phones. The Internet was jammed up with traffic and we had no TV, so much like I’m sure my parents and grandparent did in the days before TV, we huddled around a radio and just listened silently. No one could believe what we were hearing.

 You know if you’re age 35, you’ve been alive for 12,775 days…if you’re 40/14,600 days and at 65 you’ve been on this planet for 23,725 days! Of all those thousands of days…how many do you actually remember any part of? It’s a little unsettling to me really how many days I have no memory of at all. I remember many birthdays, holidays, weddings and funerals but not too many routine days at all. September 11th, 2001 is a day I will never forget. Almost the entire day is burned into memory forever. Why this is I have no idea, how the brain stamps certain memories in stone and others in jello I may never know until God one day reveals His many life mysteries to me. I am still saddened by the massive loss, the children who lost fathers and mothers and the many people that lost loved ones that day. I also get angry no matter how many guncam videos I watch of terrorist hideouts being taken out and no matter how many top terrorist leaders we capture or kill. ..

 I guess since this is MY blog I have the right to say whatever I want, and if I want to stand on my soap box and praise those who have proudly served in the US armed forces, I can do that. In fact, what these soldiers, sailors, airmen and veterans did for me assures that I can write whatever the hell I want without fear of government reprisal or persecution. How do you say thank you to them for that they did for us…for the sacrifices they made for us so we can sleep at night in peace and serenity? My father was a Lt. Commander on board the USS Lexington and a few other US Naval carriers. I cant tell you how proud I am of him and his service. When so many men in the late 60’s were running to Canada or becoming teachers to avoid the draft, he stepped up and served voluntarily and helped to be a part training for those going to Vietnam, especially the young pilots. He spent months away from my mother, lived aboard a loud and certainly not luxurious aircraft carrier and put a career on hold to serve. My Uncle Jimmy also served us all in the US Air Force and is the reason I have such a love for aviation, flying and aircraft. He took me up several times as a kid in his Cessna 150 small plane and let me “hold the wheel” sometimes too. UJ I know I dont tell you often how proud I am to have you as my uncle but I’m damn proud. Thank you for everything…your service, your flights, your advice, your time. You have added to me a part of you and that in turn makes me a better man, a better father and son…even a friend.

 To serve. What does that mean? In recovery we say that in order to keep what you have you have to give it away. Service work is very important in AA/NA especially for those new in recovery. We make coffee, greet visitors and cleanup after meetings. There is no pat on the back or tangible reward given. These people and this program are saving our lives and the cost??? $1/meeting if you have it. If you don’t no one will say a word…ever. I see a similarity to those who served us in the US Military. In order to keep the freedoms we have, they had to give much away…their time, efforts, blood, sweat, tears and for so many…their lives. How do we say thank you??? I think the best way is to enjoy the life they have helped secure for us to the maximum. Many died so we could attend any church we wanted, or spend free time with our children without fear, or speak our minds in any forum and not fear punishment, torture or death as a result. Are we living this life to the fullest? Are we stuck in a rat race of herding to work like sheep in the morning and sitting in cubicles for 8 hrs then drive home stressed from the commute? Then how do we use the few hours left with our family on work nights? Do we flick on the TV and stare zoned out into the screen. Imagine we took the TV out of the room and did the same thing. We would all gather in some family area…sit down, stare forward and not talk to each other. This would go on for hours. Doesn’t that sound like a waste of family time? I have nothing against TV…it is not evil, but anything in life can cause problems when used to excess. I know this from experience. Folks I haven’t turned on the TV in my room for months now unless we had to track a storm or hurricane and do you know how much I miss it? Not at all. Ill get on my soapbox about TV another time but today is about our military heroes. Yes that’s what they are and they probably dont want to be called that but that’s exactly what they are…heroes. The definition right fromwww.dictionary.com for the word hero is this:

1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal

Anyone who served meets these criteria by default. We thank you..

It was tempting to write about politics or how cowardly the terrorists are and feel that blood pressure rise but you know what? I’ll just say THANK YOU today and enjoy the shit out of my birthday. I’m gonna milk it for all it’s worth. I’m gonna get as many hugs from females as I can, I’m gonna use it to knock off work early so I can get a computer ready for my son, I’m gonna eat whatever I want today without regard for calories, carbs or fat content. I’m gonna try to do something extra nice for someone in need on my birthday because to keep this feeling I have to give it away. And you know what? Tommorow when it’s not my birthday anymore, I’m gonna do all the same stuff I did today. Why? because I can. God has a plan for my life that does not include being a useless drunk. He wants so badly to see me happy and my best imagination pales in comparison to what He hs in store for me. And for those who keep me safe, sound and secure…I promise you today that I will try to live a life that will make you proud. You guys paved a beautiful street for me…and I intend to walk on it!