[from Sept 4, 2009]

Last night, my wife Wendy threw a party for me to mark my 40th birthday.  My kids, my brothers, my mom and dad, my in-laws, my sisters in law and many of my friends (old and new) were there to celebrate with me.  Thanks everyone!

You know, it’s really hard to beat a Maritime Kitchen party.  With great tunes that featured Joel Plaskett, Great Big Sea, the Irish Descendants and many others, a keg of Dooryard (which I’ve written about in a previous post), and 20 lbs of steamed mussels, how can you go wrong?  Add to that lots of goodies brought by our guests, a couple of guitars, many bottles of wine and “spoons” (that’s right!)… and you’ve got a heck of a good time.

There were door prizes – not typical of your average kitchen party – that were distinctly Maritime… maple syrup, salt water taffy, dulse (what? never heard of dulse?… look it up), a pint glass… I didn’t win anything.

At a little before 8 o’clock, my mom and dad, brothers Chris and Graham, my sister-in-law Tracy and my ‘quote’ “sister-in-law” Leah arrived.  Chris and Tracy had some food and beer (just in case the keg ran out) in tote.  Mom and dad walked in with a giant supply of  local mussels.  Graham and Leah also brought beer (again… in case the keg ran out).  Soon after, Wendy’s parents, Don and Margie, and her sisters (my sisters) Linda and Kathy.  Not long after that, our friends began to arrive… Gus and Debbie, Derek and Kerri, Frank, Don, Scott and Carolyn, Jason and Susan.  Family, friends, beer, food… mix ingredients together into kitchen… let stand (my sorry attempt at a recipe analogy… sorry).

Every party has to have some set-up photos… The above and below are two of them… The boys and the girls.

One of the highlights was a great video of photo memories (thanks to Chris and Wendy) from the past 40 years.  Wow!  I don’t know why it was a surprise (I’ve put together similar videos from other milestone events in the past two years) but it was.  And it was a treat.  Thank you!!  I watched it again today I liked it so much.  What struck me most about the video is how much fun life really has been so far!  We often get so caught up in the daily grind, that we seldom have a chance to reflect about why, despite the busyness, the insanity and the general hustle and bustle, life is so darn good.

** special mention to my kids, Alec, Sean and Nicole.  I can remember being their ages and thinking it was “neat” that, like me, my parents actually had friends (imagine that, eh?).  I know they really enjoy hanging around grown-ups… not to mention stuffing their faces with chips and chasing them with Pepsi by the gallon (enjoy it ’cause summer’s almost over) and I’m glad they could enjoy the party too.  They made until midnight — impressive!  As usual, my immediate family was there for the duration — the last ones departing at 3:05am (by taxi — we run a safe outfit here!).

Well, I could write about last night for another hour… but it’s time to stop.  Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my first 40 years… I know how lucky I am.  I could sit back and reflect on the past 40 years but I’m a look ahead kind of guy…so what’s ahead?  Who knows.  But I’m looking forward to the adventure.

My immediate road ahead, after seeing some of those photos, will include more exercise… much much more exercise (seriously).  Tomorrow, ailing 40-year old back willing, I’m going for a run…

The keg ran out.

Auxiliary supply was utilized.  Thanks Chris and Graham.