Well, the day has finally arrived. I turn 40 today. Anticipating this event has initiated a lot of personal reflection over the past twelve months. And I’m confident that it will continue to be the source of reflection in the months to come.
I didn’t realize how big a milestone this would be for me on an emotional level. It’s sobering. But in a good way. I’m not depressed or filled with regret. I’m simply very aware of who I was, who I am, and who I still dream of becoming. And although I wish I were further along in the process, I like what God has been doing.
I’m also very aware of how blessed I am. Debbie asked me last week what I wanted for my birthday. And although there are things I’d like to have, I couldn’t think of anything that I really wanted or had to have. Jokingly, she said, “It must be nice to be a man who has everything.” To which I replied, “It’s not that I have everything. It’s that I have so many great friends whom I can borrow from.”
This made me realize that perhaps the wealth of a person isn’t measured in the abundance of what he or she possesses but rather in the abundance of friends that he or she can borrow from. Friendships. That’s how wealth is truly measured. I’m glad I’m still young enough to continue exploring life fulfillment on that premise.
So on my fortieth birthday, I want to say “Thank you!” to all of the great family and friends that God has surrounded me with. All of you make my life rich.
Journeying Home 
Happy Birthday, JZ! You have been blessed to be a blessing!
Have a great one mah brotha!
40? You don’t look a day over 30! What’s your secret!
Hope all is going well Jason. Maria and I are in our second week of being in Oslo and having a great time. I have begun reading McClendons Ethics for my masters thesis, Maria has started teaching classes and doing various things for Knut, her practicum mentor over here, and I am taking a biblical thelogy course at MF, the seminary where Maria attended (and is teaching). Our church community is Pasadena has begun a blog (pasadenachurch.blogspot.com) if you want to track (or even enagge in) conversations as Maria and I are trying to do.
Take care – JR
Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments and well-wishes. Turning 40 was a wonderful experience thanks to all of the great people around me.
Hey Hubby,
It was great celebrating your birthday with you! You are looking great. Thanks for taking good care of yourself. You did a great job setting your health goal and sticking with it, (even though I tempted you with ice cream way too often.) You have had a good attitude about your birthday. I was expecting it to be hard on you. It is a good thing that you have been thinking about it all year to prepare for this event. I recommend that to anyone else who is anticipating a milestone birthday. (Oh, that would be me! I need to start preparing myself soon!)
Love ya, Babe!
Debbie