[image:Patricia Teller]
As you read this you will find that today (Thursday, December 17) is my birthday. I will be 46 years old. I have exhausted every Young Adult definition as I am now outside Robert Wuthnow's 21 - 45 year old range. I am an full-fledged member of adulthood now (although I am still young(er) since the average age of a Presbyterian is now 60). I don't have any grand plans - gym appointment with Chris, my personal trainer; do some work at the church in preparation for Sunday services; go out and at least buy a birthday card for my wife; go to my private Spanish lesson so I will be at least halfway fluent for my trip to Latin American next month; and come home and spend time with the family. My wife's birthday is Saturday (our birthdays are two days apart) and we will celebrate on Friday by going out to lunch before we attend our son's second grade class' end-of-the-semester holiday celebration. So I get to spend another year older, wiser and a little bit richer if nothing else. Over the last 46 years I have learned a few things:
*No matter how hard I work out, I will not attain the physique I had when I was in my 20's again. Won't catch the 30 year-old one either.
*You need to write stuff down. Can't keep it all in your head.
*You can't do everything like you used to do. You have to slow down and take your time.
I have also come to the realization that in terms of life expectancy that I am no longer in the A.M. of life. There is a great probability that I am closer to the sunset than the sunrise. Although I believe to have many good days left, I am definitely in the P.M. of life. Unless I live to be 92 and beyond (the average life expectancy in America is 78 years), I'm probably past 12 noon. More like between 1-3 p.m.
A few months ago I received an email from my friend, Rev. Dr. Karen Brown, Executive Director of the Family Life Center at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, MD. In the midst of the message she said:
"I guess you will be reaching the big 50 soon like me (5 more years) and I find myself beginning to reflect on my life and the impact I have had on others."
That struck a cord with me and since then I have begun to look over my life and find ways in which I can help others. When I was younger, people saw the gifts in me and I went from pillar to post having exposure to new things and meeting many people. At this stage of life I find myself being sought out for advice and counsel. It is no longer about getting. It's now about giving back. One of the reasons that I am serving as Vice-Moderator today is that I am honoring all those who helped to support and nurture me way back when. People like Mrs Mineola Perry, Mrs. Dorothy Mock, Mrs. Bettie Carter, Mr. Ike Edwards, Mr. Earl McLendon, Mrs. Betty Jefferson. Mrs. Nancy Scott, Rev. Isaiah Jones and others who saw something in me that I did not know myself as a small kid at Vermont Avenue Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, CA. Both Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow and I are serving as ambassadors of the PCUSA because of those saints both dead and alive from our respective communities who have helped to grow, prune and nurture us.
However it doesn't stop there. We both find ourselves giving back because we want to see others have the same if not greater opportunities than we had. We want to give back to the youth and young adults the opportunity to serve and become leaders in the church. We give encouragement to those who are called to do a "new thing" in ministry, whether it is through different ways of being a community of faith or being empowered to lead in their own context. We give back by helping others to understand that we live in a different cultural, social and technological world. We give back by learning that although people have differences of opinion, we are still bonded by the Holy Spirit and can remain one church. That is what we believe and live out.
It's about giving back now. Thanks for listening.
[image:missyward]
Happy Birthday! How cool that you and your wife get to celebrate birthdays together!
My dad has a saying. The three stages of man: he believes in Santa, he doesn't believe in Santa, he is Santa. And I think that's what you're talking about when you talk about giving back.
xo,
suzi
Posted by: suzi w | December 17, 2009 at 08:49 AM
We wish you a happy birthday, May our almighty God bless you more in the days to come.
By
Rev.Solomon Rajan Babu, Pastor/ALC/India.
Posted by: Rev.Solomon Rajan Babu | December 17, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Furaha Kuzaliwa (To be born) Happy Birthday Byron! If you're in the 1-3pm, I'm definitely between 4-6pm. I liked what you said about giving back. Many years ago, a friend of mine (Esther), who lives in Trinidad, shared with me the Trinidad/Tobago custom of giving gifts on your birthday. I love it. It makes my birthday more special.
Have a great day.
Dianna
Posted by: Y. DIanna Wright | December 17, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Byron .... what a wonderful birthday message! As a 57 year old new retiree (after 35 year career in public education) I will tell you that in your late 50s you will be yearning for your 40s!
Posted by: George W. Whitton | December 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM
suzi - thanks! I have to remember that saying ;-)
Posted by: Byron Wade | December 19, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Solomon - thanks for the birthday wishes. And let me know what times you are available to Skype!
Posted by: Byron Wade | December 19, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Dianna - thanks! Hope you are well and that we'll see each other again soon!
Posted by: Byron Wade | December 19, 2009 at 12:58 PM
George - Happy retirement to you! I sure hope you are right ;-)
Posted by: Byron Wade | December 19, 2009 at 12:59 PM