I have a very dear friend, Mary. Could write quite a piece about her. But this will have to wait for later. That’s Mary on the left … her sister on the right. And look at their Mom. Wow!

When I saw this picture this morning? One of those early morning “firefly” messages I always get sparked before my eyes. Spurred me. I had to write immediately.

“Mom” is with her family here in Atlanta celebrating her 98th birthday. Look at her face. Absolutely glowing. Mary and her husband Dan have been so wonderful to her. They see her often. Mom still lives in her own place. They take her on vacations. Include her in all family gatherings … most events.

Just the way it should be … but unfortunately, too many times children, grandchildren attend to their elders otherwise. Most times they’re neglected, somewhat forgotten. Viewed more as a burden. Not as the gift they really are. Like the dear lady here truly is.

Two additional dear friends of mine have lived into their mid, later 90s as well. One, my buddy BB, died earlier this year at age 94. Had lunch with him every three weeks or so.. “Bob, our lunches are the highlight of my month.” He was so accomplished. Had done so much over his lifetime. It was hard for me to grasp how our lunches together would be so special for him. But they were.

The second, Claude, age 95 is still going strong. Talk to him often. He said to me the other day, “Bobby, can’t tell you how much it means to that you stay in touch with me.” Tacitly saying to me at the same time, “I too rarely hear from anybody.” 

Made me think. I wonder how many people, fortunate enough to live a long life that’s usually so wisdom filled … so spiritual, faith filled. So loving. Are taken for granted. Left alone. Live alone. So lonely. In assisted living? Final care? Just makes “Mom’s” pic above that much more vividly inspiring.

 (I’m rambling a bit here … but that’s Ok. All writing need not be packaged, constructed perfectly. These are flowing thoughts.)

Last February I was asked to compose a birthday message, a blogpost for a dear friend in Philadelphia, “Mr. Mac” as he was called, was celebrating his 100th birthday! He wrote me the most wonderful handwritten letter in return. He’d had a distinguished career as an attorney. Very fact based, not cold, but very formal guy. His letter to me? Filled with nothing but loving thoughts, emotional outpourings I would have never expected from him.

 A year ago I attended the funeral of the 102 year old father of one of my long time golf partners. He told me, “We’re hold the service in the chapel at Peachtree Pres. Maybe fifty or so will show up.” A hundred and fifty did.

So what am I getting at here? Well, I’m not totally sure. 

Just that this picture this morning brought the memories above about my great old friends. Their hidden, to infrequently appreciated gifts. BB and Claude and Mr. Mac rushed into my consciousness. Made me keenly aware of thoughts and feelings I just had to write about this morning. A book I’m writing tries to capture the magical connections energy that create revealing moments like the one for me here. Hard to decipher mental, emotional … spiritual aha moments that compels one to Acknowledge .

Let’s just say, “Happy Birthday, Mom!”

The friends I celebrate above are so wonderful. So much love inside each of them. Just like the picture above radiates the love inside you. Thanks for inspiring me to revisit them and you this morning.

But honestly … you? You? In this picture?

This just had to be the night you at age 98 turned age 68.

Simply, you’re remarkable …