A Fifty Year Old Sandwich

I suppose that the "Big Five-O" birthday is part of being a "Sandwich. Hopefully though, there are even bigger ones to come. My mother gave me my baby book for my birthday. Here are some pictures that were included in the book. Look at the young and excited parents.

The picture of my beloved Grandma holding me is close to the same age I am now. Yikes! Someone take the batteries out of that clock! Can you believe that a 50 year old woman used to be that cute, little baby? Being born to parents that love you so much is a great blessing. And as a parent myself, I can testify that to share life with a child is truly "living the dream".




My friends at work surprised me with a birthday party. They pulled it off. I was really surprised!


"The Girls"

My personal "Red Hat Club".

To celebrate my 50th birthday, I traveled to the exciting state of Iowa to attend a Big 12 track meet. The gas and hotel stay was a birthday present from my kids. I don't get to go very often so this was a very thoughtful gift. As we were driving down the highway, my oldest daughter, Amy, called with another birthday present. She wrote a poem for me and read it over the phone. I loved it and it should be shared:

Just One More Year

-by Amy Carnahan

Just one more year,

And it's quite clear,

You are living life fullest my dear.

For, apart from being a supermom,

There's a long list

That proves you're the bomb.

You've almost earned your degree.

And, that's quite a feat

Since you work full time at the WTC.

There are always weddings to plan,

You take care of your man,

And, for Sam, you are always a fan.

I know that 5-ohh

Might make you feel a little low,

But here's a list you should know.

Age 50

And still nifty:

Bryan Adams, Emeril Lagasse, Fabio

All turn 5-0hh.

As well as,

Howie Long, Kevin Spacey, Mackenzie Phillips, Marie Osmond

Come areound that same bend.

Prince Andrew Duke of York, Val Kilmer, and Simon Cowell

All 50 and feelin' proud.

If that's not enough,

Listen to this stuff:

An entire decade more,

And still not a bore:

Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen,

All 60 and still sing.

Cybil Shepherd, Hank Williams Jr., Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep

Their youth they still keep.

Richard Gere, Shelly Long, Sigourney Weaver,

10 years older and you wouldn't believe her.

So today marks just one more year,

But your age do not fear.

And, always keep it real,

Because you are only as young as you feel.

Big Wedding Coming Up

I remember laying in the hospital bed twenty-five years ago, looking at my new, pink, baby girl, and thinking that someday there will be another wedding. Well, that day is coming up for Megan Lucy. Where did the years go? She was such a tiny little thing for so long. It took her a long time to say much. Her big sister that she followed around and idolized always spoke for her. For awhile she was nicknamed "Peanut". Her Uncle Phil called her "Bugs Ear" for "Cuter than a Bug's Ear". But "Fluffy" has appropriately stuck. She was the daughter that loved pink/pastel everything, ruffles and ribbons, twirling dresses, dollies, dancing lessons, ...... anything "girlie".

It didn't surprise us that when it was time to make decisions for college, that she fell right into the sorority life and loved every minute of it. The man in her life also belongs to a fraternity. For the past three or four years, the two of them have been traveling the region, attending weddings of their Greek sisters and brothers. As their love grew for one another and plans for the future were being made, the pink accordian file folder, labeled "M & J's Wedding" was getting fatter and fatter.

Megan drove from Dallas this weekend, trying to beat an oncoming storm, so that we could work on wedding plans. The previous weekend trip was postponed because of weather and we couldn't have a repeat of cancellations. This is going to be a June wedding and reservations must be made! Since Megan has recently moved to Dallas, this now requires long distance planning and that is a challenge when pulling off the most spectacular wedding of the season. There are caterers and menus to decide upon. It being February, strategic planning and forecasting is required when meeting with the florist. Decorations and colors have to be compared and chosen. This must be done before all the other June blushing brides grab the best of the pick! We had a full day agenda from dawn to dusk to get this done. Megan brought the pink, accordian folder and more. Besides the regular luggage she usually brought in tow, her little Toyota Escort was packed with fifty pounds of her favorite bride magazines, colored sketches and findings from the internet, flower vases, bridesmaid shoes, etc. Her excitement was contagious!

However, it's taken me awhile to catch on to her excitement. For her father and I, this is the third wedding in four years and will be the largest. We're a little tired. I feel bad about that, but I think it is to be expected. Lately I've been comparing the situation to her childhood birthday parties. She was the last calendar birthday of the year. By the time we got around to September, it took some extra willpower to pull that fourth one off. I hope I did it justice. So, her father and I will tighten our belts, take a deep breath, move to the edge, and take the deep plunge a third and final time. This will be an event worthy of celebration. Families and friends will gather. There will be laughter and tears, conversations remembered and memories made. I hope the photographer catches them all. She's getting paid for it.