What I Have Learned in My First 39 Years

Yes I am 39 years old today. I am normally thediscipline does not mean you are actually going to
last person to announce his birthday in a cheesyuse it.
effort to have people give me a halfhearted hug8. Diapers and formula are not cheap and
or tell me how great I am. Today though I standMacaroni & Cheese should qualify as one
at the doorstep to that wonderful decade that willfood group.
represent my 40's. I am not there yet but I7. Hot Wheels are just small enough to be flushed
would like to think that I am rapidly obtaining thepartially down a toilet and then lodge in an area
wisdom necessary to conquer that decade andwhere it blocks everything else that attempts to
that today I may be able to impart some of thatgo down the same toilet.
wisdom to others.6. The art of removing a toilet and then replacing
I am so blessed that my five brothers and sistersit comes in handy. Let me know if you need any
and their respective spouses have all crossed thatadvice on this.
threshold many, many......many years before me5. Not all marriages work out.
and will be able to help me through that transition4. Some marriages do work out.
next year. They may have difficulty remembering3. Your children will provide you with laughter, joy,
what it was like but I am sure they will do theirand tears.
best to help.2. Tears of joy are much better than those of
Do not get me wrong I am not saying they aresadness.
old, but then again I am not exactly saying they1. Life will provide you with both kinds of tears
are young either.and both are required. One type is easy to
There have been a great many wonderful peopleendure and the other is much more bearable if
born on this day.someone is holding your hand.
The list includes Billy Ray Cyrus, Gene Simmons,There are a few other people I share a birthday
Vivian Campbell from Def Leppard, Elvis Costello,with that I would like to mention. Possibly the
Rob Halford from Judas Priest, Jo Dee Messinacoolest person on earth, Sean Connery was born
and Rap DJ Terminator X. You would think thaton August 25th. So was the much cuter, and
this would indicate that I would surely have somemuch more curvier Claudia Schiffer. Fellow Notre
musical talent. My family and anyone that hasDame fan Regis Philbin was born today. Last but
ridden in a car with me can assure you that I docertainly not least happy birthday to my
not in fact have musical talent.brother-in-law and friend Adam Rose who was
By the way am I the only one that thoughtcoincidentally also born on August 25.
Terminator X was simply the tenth movie in aThe fact is that I still do not have life figured out.
series featuring an aging Governor of CaliforniaI would like to make an offer or assurance to my
that wages battle in a suit of armor padded withwife, my children, my family and friends in the
Depends diapers and derives his super powersimmortal words of another gentleman born on
from drinking a secret mixture of Geritol andAugust 25, the great Monty Hall, "Let's make a
prune juice?deal." The deal is this, I will never, ever stop trying
I may not know about music but here are tento improve my life or yours. In return just
things I do know.promise me that when my vision is gone and I
10. I did not have life figured out while I was incan not hear very well that you will drive me
high school.down to McDonalds every Sunday for my free
9. Just because you receive a degree in a certaincoffee.