Just spent the last 24+ hours with my two baby sisters (ages 18 and 21) for my birthday, topped it off with dinner at Buca di Beppo's with them, my wife and mom. This is special because I never. NEVER. Had a birthday dinner with my family. At least not since Mom and my siblings moved out my junior year of high school (long story, has to do with finances for my handicapped brother). I never made a big deal out of my birthday, so I never had a celebration or gathering for it.

Any other birthday, though, I would get a bunch of texts and Facebook posts, but maybe 2 or 3 phone calls. One of them would always be from Dad. I really, really missed that call this year. Not like he'd say much outside of 'Happy Birthday', but man it sure would be nice to hear his voice again. I was really hurting thinking about that this morning at work.

Fast forward to tonight after dinner. In retrospect, I have to say despite my hurt, this year's birthday is probably my favorite. Ever. I got to spend my dinner and evening with 4 of the most precious, beautiful, amazing and most important women in my life.

This is a perfect example of something I posted during Christmas when I was feeling down: "Merry Christmas everyone! Don't count the blessings you don't have because you'll miss the ones you do. Love you all" If I were too wrapped up in missing and hurting about Dad, I would have totally missed the 4 amazing gifts he left me with tonight.

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Happy birthday. that is wonderful.

(Don't expect another birthday present this weekend. You got one last weekend.)

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I followed some of your posts.. sounds like all had a great time and very healthy on at that. Your family, although still hurting, seems so filled with joy and happiness in your bonds.


Happy Belated Birthday.. now get off the video games. 😉

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Happy belated bday Formo!

Would have said something yesterday but I wasn't logged into a computer yesterday.

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Happy Birthday, Formo. Glad you had a good one!

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Even Vikings fans deserve a happy birthday.
I'm glad you had one and you shared your birthday experience with us.

Formo......i'm really happy you had a great B-day!
You needed/deserved it!!![grin1]

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Belated birthday good wishes, Jeremy!

And I'll echo what Cheesey said -- such a good time was well-deserved!!

May your new year be excellent and you get all your wishes except those having to do with Viking victories or Packer defeat.

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Happy Birthday, Formo!

That first Christmas/New Years without Dad was a hard one for us. I can guess some of the stuff you've been going through. The feelings get a little less intense over time, but don't go away.

Thanks for hanging out over here.

What those guys said, especially the part about "thanks for hanging out over here".