Reflections on a 58th Birthday

...just keep coming back.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Mike,

I am glad to know you through LJ.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Mike, thanks for sharing. It never hurts for anyone to stop and look at their habits, good or bad and make changes.

-- Ron Central, CA

Mike: May God bless you and may he give you many happy years with your latest obsession. May you enjoy the years with your family.

Love you brother.

God bless.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Mike, Happy 58, whatever day it was. I believe most of us are thankful to know you as we do here on LJ’s. This web site is a great place because of all the input we give and receive here. I know many people personally and may never really know them. I may never have met you in person but feel that some of us LJ’s know each other in some ways better than those personal friends ever will. Thanks for your support, friendship and sharing yourself with all of us..

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3 http://www.portablesawmill.biz/concrete/

Happy 58 mike…thank you for sharing your story…bless you and your family…and everyday we have together with them…including our family at LJ;s…

Your story is important. I try not to preach to my students (high school)...but I really do worry. Knowing my own struggles and the health of my dad who is way too young to be in the shape he is that booze is a tough road.

Again…thank you for sharing your story…its too important. May the next year be your best…one day at a time!

matt

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. My birthday is January 18, 2005. God Bless.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

You ever think that by being over 50, we’re older than some of the wood we’re workin’ on? Glad to know ya Mike…Happy birthday too!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

HAppy Birthday Mike ….I am 61 and wonder how I made it this far ….

-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."

I thank you my friends. Like I said every day is a blessing in itself. I worked in rehab for 12 years and saw many, many wonderful people die. It was truly staggering. I became friends with too many of my clients and it really breaks your heart. “There but for the grace of God go I.” Thanks again friends. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

You seem to be like a ole Timex Mike . . . takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’. :-)

Take care and happly belated.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Mike Happy Birthday. I hit 65 a couple weeks ago which means we are both af an age to be able to speak from experience. Addiction reguardless of the source, including tobacco, is addiction and is incurable but managable, which is why members of one group, perhaps yours always say”I am an alcoholic and I have not had a drink in x # of days/months/years”. I am certain that for many of us the biggest stumblying block was in admiting to ourselfs that we have a problem. Your reflections should cause all of us to pause and reflect. Happy birthday and know that you are never alone. (don’t be concerned about my extra few years you’ll get there soon enough. I hope I’ll be there wish you a happy 65th. ...but if by chance I’m not have a happy birthday anyway)

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

Mike,
Having just had a birthday myself, 33, I can understand where you’re coming from about looking back and wondering “How the Hell did I survive this long?”. Greg and I’s mom is still wondering too, she is still learning piece-mill some of the things that he and I have done in the past (his days in the Army and mine in Fire/Rescue/EMS) and “socially”.

Just remember that is in the past, that it helped make you who you are BUT it does not define you. Keep going one day at a time and remember…....

YOU ARE ON THIS SIDE OF THE DIRT SO YOU MUST BE DOING ALRIGHT.

-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"

Thanks fella’s, I certainly am not ashamed to talk of my past and I worked through those issues long ago. I’ve been sober since 86. Like I told a friend recently, I never hid the fact when I was drinking, why would I hide the fact that I’m sober? I’m damn proud of it. I had issues with my Dr. for a long time about the pain meds I’m taking, but finally realized that I would not be able to function at all w/o taking any. Again Thanks to all of you and I hope what I’ve spoke about may have helped someone or even given someone a laugh at the very least. God Bless, mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Happy Birthday Mike, I hope the years ahead are kinder and far more gental, Good Luck!!!

-- Ed - Milan, IN

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!

I’m sorry I didn’t see this until today, but better late than never.

Thanks for sharing your life’s experience, someone that has these problems may read it.

It may help them straighten out their life.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Mike,

Just got my computer back- sorry I missed your birthday!

You are living proof that a positive attitude is a far better medicine than many of the pills provided by the drug companies.

Happy belate birthday and many, many more.

Lew

Hi Mike;

Happy birthday a little late. (I’ve always been a bit slow).

It’s kind of hard to respond to your reflections, as you really turned yourself inside out to us. It does cause us to pause and consider where we are, and the journey that brought us there.

Addictions are next to impossible to give up, especially for those of us that are obsessive, which is probably most of us on this forum. Otherwise we probably wouldn’t be in this forum!

My bad habit is smoking, which I know is destroying the quality of life I will have my latter years, but yet the very idea of quitting is scary. (and I’m supposed to be smart).

I have to commend your strength and commitment.

Again, happy birthday, and a wish for many more to you.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Happy B-day Mike … even if it is a few days late

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

Happy belated birthday Mike. I can see its been a rough road but you are smooth trailing now. Hang in there & good luck.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Happy Belated Birthday, I’m pretty new here at Lumberjocks but It is amazing how you can connect with people with a computer. We all have plenty to be thankful for. Your story helps me to reflect on my own life and my family. God Bless to you and yours.

-- Richard http://www.LearnFineCrafts.com

Belated well wishes on your 58th Mke!!
may life just keep getting better and better

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)