It finally came....and it's is good...

Last Tuesday, March 13, 2012--I celebrated my FIFTIETH birthday! It's been good...

Without all the drama that accompanied my 40th birthday, the 50th was just refreshing and nourishing to my heart. Some wonderful friends from my local church (www.moodychurch.org) threw a small surprise Birthday dinner for me last Saturday evening---some delicious Barbeque in downtown Chicago, no less. So Meredith, Philip, Alex, Lindsey, Vince, and Jerry--I had a marvelous time....and "Thank you" is so insufficient, but heartfelt.

Tuesday was a celebration at Rush University Medical Center for me...my immediate boss, Cheryl Evers, made sure that I got a lovely gift bag, and a balloon...in front of a lot of people. It was SO special...

My friend Gary Singh got me a chocolate cake with chocolate icing...just what I wanted....and it was delicious...

Then the three most important men in my life (at least on Tuesday evenings) who compromise the small group that I belong to (Jeff, Kent, and Rob) held a special birthday dinner, gave me a wonderful gift, and asked me to tell "my story." It was so very special and heartwarming to me.

The only sad note is that my longtime friend, retired Pastor Dr David Bishop went to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening...such a precious, precious man whom I have admired for years. He was never my "official pastor..." but has been a wonderful friend for a long time. Gifted pulpiteer, the heart of a shepherd, marvelous artist, and a gentle giant in the Kingdom of God, in my opinion. He will be missed, and Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time.