Let’s talk about birthdays. I had my 67th birthday last Tuesday and enjoyed the day very much. When I got home after the volleyball match Tuesday evening I was completely exhausted.

I told Roxie I’m too old to be celebrating my birthday. Don’t get me wrong, I have wonderful friends, co-workers and family that celebrated my birthday with me. It was fun but I guess the older I get birthdays are just another day. When I was a kid, celebrating my birthday was highly anticipated and celebrated. My mom always made a big deal about our birthday. It was an all out birthday party with friends and family. Mom always made me a birthday cake and my favorite meal that day. But now at 67, I don’t get too excited anymore.

The day started out with a hug and kiss from my wife before I walked out the door to go to work. When I got to work Kris, Maynard, Kerri and Missy sang Happy Birthday to me and we ate some birthday cake. It’s a tradition at work to celebrate birthdays. I thought it was funny when I asked Kerri, the new owner of the radio station, if I could take the rest of the day off of work because it was my birthday. She was kind enough to say yes. She didn’t know that taking the day off work when it’s your birthday is a real pet peeve of mine! I would never take off work just because it was my birthday. I told her I was joking, but thank you.

At noon, Maynard, invited me over to the Kiwanis meeting at the VFW because JD Struxness was going to be the speaker. JD is a local guy making it big in the sport of rodeo. JD is one of the best steer wrestlers in the world. The Kiwanis sang Happy Birthday to me which made it two times that morning. JD gave a real interesting speech about what he is doing. Later that week the LQPV Diversity Club and Milan Lions hosted JD and Tyler Erickson for a meet and greet in the Milan Park which was well attended.

Tuesday evening I was at Canby High School to broadcast the Lancers and LQPV volleyball match. Because of social media it seemed like everyone knew it was my birthday. I must have said thank you to people that wished me a happy birthday over one hundred times. During a timeout the Canby student section sang Happy Birthday to me and some of the crowd joined in. That was the fourth time I had Happy Birthday sung to me. Thank you Canby students!

During my post match show, I just finished interviewing Jenai Wright the Canby Lancer coach when the LQP coaching staff shows up with volleyball player Mykeyan Elias. Mykeyan was all smiles and handed me a shirt that said Fan of the Game and a medal along with some gummies. Coach Hennen took a picture with us and I didn’t understand what was going on. I found out later the coaches name a LQPV player of the game and a fan of the game and they had picked me.

I got home around 10pm Tuesday night and finally got to sit down and relax and look at my social media platforms. I was humbled at all the birthday wishes from everyone. Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and X were full of Happy Birthday Paul and I received many text messages on my phone. The day ended with a hug and kiss from my wife, just like it started. Tuesday was a real fun day and a very exhausting day. Here is to year 68!