Age is Just a Number

Day 74 of Photo Inspirations -- Age is Just a Number
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a birthday party for a 90-year old friend, Charles Wollershauser, who, in spite of the number 90, he is most certainly not defined by his age. He still works for his son's hardware company, still walks at least a mile a day, lifts weights and exercises 25-minutes a day, and his mind and memory doesn't skip a beat.  He has a devoted family and they have to work hard to keep up with him.  Yesterday, they certainly gave him a party to remember.

I'll never forget the Christmas Party I attended where he was also an attendee, too.  We had one of those "Dirty Santa" gifts exchange.  He was the final one to get to draw and all that was left was what looked to be a wrapped CD or DVD.  Rather than taking someone else's gift, he took that one.  He opened it up and to his joy, it was a Frank Sinatra CD.  It felt like it had been planned, because he went into great detail about his days as a Navy orderly for the in-charge officer-of-the-day.  This day it was the Captain.  And on this day, Frank Sinatra was coming to his base to entertain.  And because Charles was the orderly of the day, the Captain invited him to sit on the front row with him.  It was a day to remember, and Charles remembered it well to all of us.

And today was no exception for the joys for Charles.  His family will never have regrets for taking the time to celebrate their dad, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.  It was a defining moment for Charles.   I well remember giving a big birthday "This Is Your Life" 70th birthday celebration for my Mom, surprising her with friends and family from all over the U.S., and then we had a big celebration party for her again on her 90th birthday.  I, too, had no regrets for the time and effort to celebrate her precious life and thank her for being such a faithful and devoted mom

A beautiful moment for me at Charles' birthday celebration was when I saw Father Jack Gleason as one of the attendees.  Father Jack is such a dear and precious friend to me and my own family.  Who knew that going to a birthday party could provide sweet moments in a personal way for me?

As I said yesterday,"Life is About the Cycle of Life" -- When we realize the cycle of life is part of our journey of life, we'll embrace every moment we have with each other.  Treasure the sweet times, celebrate each other, and live with no regrets.