September 17th, 2014, I will be 50. Celebrated tonight with a spontaneous meal with my wife, sisters, and one daughter. Glorious fun.

September 17th, 2014, I will be 50 years old. Much I could say, opine about, and all that. I’ll keep it simple.

I’m grateful. That will be all.

I got to spend the best day with my sisters. We went to the Picture People at the mall and had a great time taking pics.

Bruno, call Nora now!

We then had a spontaneous out to eat event at my all time favorite restaurant. It was all wonderfully unplanned, executed excellently, and could have only been improved by the presence of a few select others I love.

I am grateful to be approaching 50. Many don’t get to this point. Some don’t have a family that would see the opportunity to drop their schedules, gather around, and spend a glorious few days with each other.

Just because we can.

Instead of a 50th birthday party this year, I have a favor to ask of anyone reading this:

Will you consider, if you are geographically close enough, would you consider coming by for a visit?

In replacement of an official birthday party, I would to ask those who are geographically able to consider just a short visit to say hello to Janice and I. No gifts, no party, no specific timing, just short visit when it is convenient for your time schedule.

It would mean so much to me to have friends come by when they can, have a cup of coffee, and not much else. Just visit. Your presence is your gift. Your time is your gift. Your love is powerful.

I tell you what, as I get older and am going through cancer for the second time, I value nothing more than being grateful for those I love. Spending time with those I love. I hope you can make it by in the next week or two to say hello and spend a moment visiting. Here’s to 1/2 of an eventful century!

Here’s a pic of tonight’s spontaneous meal. It was just gloriously divine.

Spontaneous 50th birthday meal tonight. Just divine.