I MAY GROW OLDER, but I REFUSE TO GROW UP...

With the impending date of my birth approaching, I am sorely reminded that it is the “black birthday”, the beginning of the over-the-hill gang; the, “I’m 18 with 22 years experience club”…etc.

There is a difference between growing up and growing old. Try as so many might make (force) me…I will NEVER grow old! I still like my music loud, my vehicles fast, and my experiences plenty…these do not indicate that I haven’t grown-up. I have grown up, I think. Gone are the days of toilet papering neighbors houses. What would Officer Eugene Mallory (rest his soul) think today if he was to roll up in his patrol vehicle only to find the middle-aged Haderlie coating the neighbors trees with toilet paper? I remember when people would tell me that, “It is time you start acting your age.” What does my age look like? Am I supposed to “slow down”? Going back to the laws of physics, once we stop moving then the problems begin. Movement equals energy, energy equals progress and/or development and growth. It is impossible to grow without doing something. Sometimes the things that I do may appear to be immature leading some individuals to say, “You’re too old for that.” When the water fight begins…you’ll find me in the middle of the battle. When there is a prank to play….count me in.

These so-called childish games are so much more fun today….because I have grown up and have the tactical advantage of experience on my side. Grow up yes! Grow old never!

I have spent the first 40 years of my life equipping myself with the knowledge that I need to make a living. I hope that I have the wisdom to make the next 40 years of my life great. I will never stop learning, never stop trying, nor will I ever stop caring about & loving those who are special to me.

I will let my 40th birthday welcome me into the beautiful "middle age." This age does not have the casual immaturity of youth, nor does it have the constant dependency of old age. I will enjoy my 40th birthday in quiet reflection on the four decades of a beautiful life. It is time for me to enjoy the little moments rather than focus on bigger events.

Forty will be my eighteen…unfortunately rheumatism and slower metabolism won’t see it that way.