Although it just seems like yesterday it was actually 23,733 days ago that another screaming kid came in to this world. The birth notice in the Calgary Herald said that a girl named Patricia Ann was born to Fred and Kathleen Vanstone on April 2, 1945, a slip-up my father thankfully corrected the very next day.
So far, it seems to have been a fast and furious life. I remember my first kiss, my paper route, my first crush, there were many of those, my first job, getting my driver’s license-now that was a big day. A marriage, 3 kids, another marriage followed by two more kids. And a blur of people, places and events in between them all.
I now have 8 great kids. Four I fathered and the four they chose. Two grand kids, maybe 3 by the time you read this, and a wife of almost 30 years. I have the whole package, including (and this is a big one too) my health.I’m fairly fortunate in the lifestyle department too. We get to bump around North America sharing the odd tall tale with neat people we meet. We stay where we want, travel when we want and when we get tired of all that we go back and visit our awsome family.
I understand they are planning a surprise party for me tomorrow. We’ve hurried back 3,000 miles from Mexico to be in Toronto April 3 at noon for apparently “no particular reason.”
I’ve heard “What do you want for your birthday?” more than once in the last while. I’m always good with another hug. If you don’t feel that’s enough (even though I do) 20 more good years would be excellent, 30 more would be even better. There is a lot of things I haven’t got done yet and quite frankly, everything else, ….that’s all just stuff.
Did I mention my friends? I have many. Unlike Facebook I’ve never counted, but I certainly have more than I deserve. And if there really is a big guy up there looking after us all I especially owe him a great big thankyou. I admit, he’s been through a lot with me. I haven’t been easy to look after, but I think even he has to admit that when I finally dogrow up I’m going to turn out “all right”.
What a ride it’s been. And I just can’t wait to see the rest.
Yes Happy Birthday! and many more, I do hope you look surprised.
A very happy birthday to you, Larry. Yes, we all are so very thankful for our health!
In response to the camper, thank you for sending that along. When we get back, we will come and have a look, and if it is gone, that is fine, we have lots of time to look around.
I am sitting here at the window at 7 a.m. already watching the ATV’s zipping along the beach. Yesterday there was a little boy on one at 9 years old with his sister on the back of it, just ripping down the beach and trying to make it ‘rock’ and I could not help but stop him and try in a ‘nice’ way to explain that if he kept that up, he would kill himself. His sister who was about 14 said he was ‘practising’ working his brakes and the gas pedal!
Lots of activity on the beach but still not as busy as it was two years ago, maybe today will be busier. I love it here at this time of year and is so entertaining. We were at Benji’s last night and just packed over there.
It is very quiet here. They keep the gate locked during the day, sort of like a prison camp! but it is a good idea. The new hotel next door has opened.
We are starting out on April 12th with Craig, Lydia, Robin, Peggy and I think Ed.
Have a wonderful day, and looking forward to hearing news of the new arrival.
Don and barb
Oh my God ….Happy birthday you old dude you ….you are just the best!!! You have no idea how much we miss you both
…our trip home was uneventful…sort of except for the snow…yuk…love you
You are just the coolest!!
I’m thinking now that we are home it’s time to start the countdown til we arrive at Tres Amigos. See you soon.