4/24/23

Today I celebrate the anniversary of my birth so it seems like a good time to answer another question especially since it is birthday related.

This one comes from Margaret, who is a retired teacher that lives in the Pacific Northwest. Despite being a fan of the Seahawks, she is a wise woman and I enjoy reading about how she is navigating life with her family because it helps me get through some of my days. 

Favorite or not-so-favorite birthday memory?

I spent a lot of time thinking about this one because I've always had pretty good memories of my big day. My mom definitely made me feel special.

I think having a rough start to life probably contributed. 

I had numerous ear operations that eventually led to my single-sided deafness but it took the doctors forever to figure out what was wrong with me and, my mom, being a single mother was probably scared out of her mind. 

We were also on our own until I was 5 and then she married the man I consider my dad. 

After she passed away, that first birthday without her was rough. 

Fortunately, Mrs. Shife is amazing and has taken the baton from my mom and has made me feel very loved on my birthday.

The memory I'm sharing is from when I turned 40 and the wonderful woman I call my wife invited a special guest to my party. 

I had a good time at my party with family and friends, and the lovely Mrs. Shife even managed to surprise me. The photographic evidence is below. So for as long as I can remember I have had a little bit of an infatuation with Elvis. Maybe it was from hearing my Mom play the music in our house or maybe it is just the cult-like status Mr. Presley has obtained since his death. Whatever the case may be, I have been goofing on Elvis. So at the party, we are having a good time and all of the sudden out of nowhere comes an Elvis impersonator to serenade me. It was awesome but a little uncomfortable having a grown man dressed up as Elvis sing to me a song like "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" So check out the photos - which totally capture my awkwardness - and the pictures also make Mrs. Shife laugh because of the titles she gave to the pictures. The first picture is called "Is Elvis's hand on my butt" and the second one is "Yep, his hand is definitely on my butt." Enjoy and talk to you soon.

Thanks for saying hello and I will talk to you tomorrow.

I will persevere.

I will keep moving forward.

I will be the stream.