When I turned 39 last year, I began planning for my 40th birthday. Committed to doing something adventurous to mark the big four-zero, I brainstormed over my world atlas- trekking in the Himalaya? Perhaps a multi-sport adrenalin tour in New Zealand? Whatever the trip was, wherever it might take me, I was going to go big. On January 27 I broke my neck and all plans went out the window.
Happy to simply be alive, I had no aspirations for an "extraordinary" 40th birthday. I anticipated dinner with family and a few friends- nice and mellow. Little did I know, my friends and family had something else in mind for me.
The first of many surprises last weekend occurred Thursday as I rolled up the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Expecting to meet my brother Dan and long-time buddy Chris and his wife Gina (who gets HUGE kudos for orchestrating much of the fun last weekend!), my jaw dropped when I noticed James, Jennifer and Kellie strolling toward me- my best friends from my youth in Michigan had flown in to celebrate with me!
Saturday morning, my friend Dave arranged for me to go sailing with the Challenged America adaptive sailing program. I had not been on the water since my accident and being at the helm of a boat again was a surprisingly emotional event for me- thankfully, my sunglasses concealed the tears of joy that welled up in my eyes as we tacked across San Diego Bay.
Shortly after sailing, I was floored again as I rolled out of the elevator at The Fiddler's Green restaurant and into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" sung by the crowd of family and friends lying in wait. Friends, old and new, had gathered to wish me well- some of whom had flown in just for the day(Adam and Murph, you guys are animals!) Thank you for making my 40th a day to remember!
I also want to thank everyone who couldn't be here in person but were certainly with me in spirit. Your cards, calls, emails, texts, voicemails, and web posts have kept my spirits high and you inspire me to keep at it for another 40!
LOVE TO ALL,
Eric
