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General discussion

HiYa all - It's my birthday and I am 52 years old and feel about 1000 years

Dec 15, 2003 11:28AM PST

My birthday is the 16th December, sorry, have to say that because of our time zone differences.
Just in case I lose my connection or my head falls off, may I wish you all a great Xmas and happy new year. Steve

Discussion is locked

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Re:HiYa all - It's my birthday and I am 52 years old and feel about 1000 years
Dec 15, 2003 12:06PM PST

happy birthday youngster ill turn 54 next month

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I am quite used to being the youngest Mark
Dec 16, 2003 1:46PM PST

I was the youngest of five until my little sister came along. Brother Richard is 5 years older, brother John is 7 years, sister christine is 10 years,
and brother Peter, who unfortunately died of cancer, was 11.5 years older.
Let's face it, age isn't so important, it's how we have become in later years that counts. I.M.O Happy

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Happy Birthday! (NT)
Dec 15, 2003 1:35PM PST

.

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Re:Happy Birthday, Steve. Gee, if I had known sooner I would have baked you a cake.
Dec 15, 2003 2:10PM PST

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you also, Steve. I really hope your head doesn't fall off but if it does can I have the hdd from your PC? LOL

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Happy birthday youngster.
Dec 15, 2003 2:17PM PST

.

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NT HAPPY BIRTHDAY Steve ! :)
Dec 15, 2003 3:17PM PST
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Thanks for all your good wishes - I feel young again - SE magic I guess :) NT
Dec 15, 2003 4:51PM PST
Happy
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(NT) Funny, you don't look a day over 51. . . . A youngster! . . . Happy Birthday, Steve! :-)
Dec 15, 2003 5:53PM PST

.

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Thanks Paula - Glad I don't look over 51years - think I was 42 years in that photo :) NT
Dec 18, 2003 10:40AM PST
Happy
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Here ya go, sonny. Take your pick :-)
Dec 15, 2003 6:22PM PST
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Thanks Louis - some good ones there, but not quite ready for the scull and cross bones:)
Dec 16, 2003 1:34PM PST
Happy
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nt) Don't like rowin', Steve? hee hee
Dec 18, 2003 9:58AM PST

.

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Re:god....i remember when i was 52 :-))
Dec 15, 2003 7:09PM PST

all the best Steve!!!

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Eyup mate! 'ave thissen a good'un!
Dec 15, 2003 8:01PM PST
Happy
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Thanks Dale - had a couple of good beers in true English style :) NT
Dec 18, 2003 10:44AM PST
Happy
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Happy Birthday Steve ... You're in good company ...
Dec 15, 2003 9:30PM PST

... we're ALL getting older! Have a wonderful day.

Evie Happy

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Not older...
Dec 15, 2003 11:40PM PST

BETTER - Aging like a fine wine. I turn 54 next week (yes - THAT day). Interesting that all who post here are approximately the same age. Happy Birthday and Happy Holidays to all.

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In case I miss it, Patrick, have a Happy Birthday next week ;-) --NT
Dec 16, 2003 3:02AM PST

.

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Bite your tongue :-)
Dec 16, 2003 3:07AM PST

I'm not *THAT* old yet Happy

I send you birthday wishes early, and hope your mom is feeling better really soon. I'm thinking a visit from her son might be a dose of the right medicine.

Evie Happy

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Re:Bite your tongue :-)
Dec 16, 2003 5:52AM PST

Thanks Evie,
My worry is just the opposite. She has been in and out of the hospital several times in the past two months. She has COPD and heart complications. The tone of her e-mails lead me to believe she is ready to let go. Dad died in 99 from ALS. I'm the only child that strayed more than 5 miles from the nest and I'm worried that my visit will allow her to give up. Sounds far fetched but it is exactly what happened with Dad.

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Patrick ...
Dec 17, 2003 1:05AM PST

... I don't really know you too well, so hope what I'm about to say isn't too personal. It must be very tough for you right now to make this trip. Our instincts are powerful (even you estrogen challenged of the species Wink ) so you may indeed be keying in on your mom's wishes.

I lost my mother in law five years ago after Thanksgiving. She died suddenly in her sleep -- suddenly to us that was, because in hindsight she left clues and obviously knew her end was near. I'll not bore you with all the details, but my FIL and husband were both angry for a time that she never spoke up more or they felt she was selfish in a way in not seeking medical care, etc.

However as I have watched members here and others around me struggle through the prolonged illness and eventual death of loved ones, I am consoled that my MIL left this world on her terms. We all want our loved ones to live forever. I consider it courageous rather than selfish that she hung on long enough to see the whole extended family that Thanksgiving, to heal a rift between myself and my father in law, and basically say goodbye to all who loved her in her own way. In saving herself whatever suffering might have been ahead, she also spared us. (Love you Mamtcha!)

So if this helps any, if your Mom is ready to let go, she'll do so after being able to say a proper goodbye to her son. And who knows, maybe seeing you will give her more will to live. I don't know if this helps any, and sure hope it doesn't cause you despair.

Best to you, your Mom and your whole family. I hope this visit will be a happy one for all.

Evie Happy

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Re:Patrick ...
Dec 17, 2003 1:24AM PST

Thanks Evie - and I apologize to Steve and everyone for draging down the tone of this thread. I don't know why I blurted all that out. I guess it's because this is a semi-anonymous environment.

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Thx Evie.
Dec 18, 2003 10:10AM PST

Susie has always felt, I'm not sure of the word, her FIL died at age 55, he also obviously knew it was coming. The last conversation with him, she keeps remembering, is his refusal to change his diet or stop drinking copious red wine. He said he wanted to die happy, not after endless pain.

One of the things that brought Susie and I together was her sympathy to me for the death of my Mum, who it was obvious after the fact, knew for years she had cancer. The night before her death, my family was telling me she'll be home from hospital by next week, as was normal 4 or 5 times a year all my life; and the nurses at the hospital told me she wasn't expect to last the night. I stormed back in to Mum, who reminded me she'd always believed the theme of "Love Story", that Dad had promised "no pain".

Frank died within an hour of Susie leaving him at the railway station. Mum died within an hour of my leaving the hospital.

In both our cases, we were supposed to be "stiff upper lip" and not distress people by our behaviour.

Your words are a help, even after 21 years. Thank you.

Ian

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Missed this post till today Ian ...
Dec 29, 2003 1:44AM PST

... so hope you don't think I ignored your kind words. I'm glad somehow my words help, even after all these years. This holiday season has been a difficult one for us because of that "5 year" mark. Hardly seems real sometimes that it's been that long already. *sniff*

Evie Happy

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Hells Bells Patrick - I thought it was hard having a birthday on the 16th
Dec 16, 2003 5:49AM PST

but on the 25th. You have my sympathies.
Still at least you have a great party - guaranteed.
Happy birthday in advance Patrick. Happy

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Re:Hells Bells Patrick - I thought it was hard having a birthday on the 16th
Dec 16, 2003 6:21AM PST

Party? Nobody has birthday parties on Christmas. Who would come? - Sorry - kicked over a childhood rock Happy
The most annoying thing is EVERY time I have to produce my I.D. the person has to make a comment. After 54 years it's hard to come up with a snappy reply. Twisted my psyche so much that I celebrate my wedding anniversay on the 26th.
Happy Birthday to you and have a good holiday.

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Sorry Patrick - was thinking in terms of the family get together party
Dec 16, 2003 11:31AM PST

That we all have over this side of the Atlantic.
But in some cases people have very few family members they can go to, and they tend to be very lonely over the christmas holiday.
I hope you aren't one of them, but if you are I hope you can find some other people who are in your shoes and perhaps have a little get together.
All the best
Steve

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I guess I misplaced the sarcasm
Dec 17, 2003 12:06AM PST

My fault. I meant it as a joke. I actually will be spending Christmas with my family (mom and siblings)for the first time in fifteen years. I hope your day was everything you expected and wish you and your's well for the holidays.

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I am really pleased it was just a joke Patrick
Dec 18, 2003 10:15AM PST

and may I wish you the same for this festive time.

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My hubby ...
Dec 17, 2003 1:10AM PST

... has a similar thing with his birthday coinciding with a holiday on the "old calendar" that requires fasting (no meat/dairy). I'll bet you also got your fair share of "combo gifts" too. What's that about what doesn't kill us makes us stronger? LOL

Evie Happy