Today, I turn 43. I continue to maintain the same attitude I’ve always had about birthdays – it’s just a number. I don’t wish I was younger. I am content with who I am and what point I’ve reached in the evolution of my life.

The one thing I can’t help do around my birthday though is reflect on those years that have passed. For some reason, this time around, rather than thinking about what I’ve done in my life, I’m thinking about how I’ve lived this long without doing the following things…

I have never visited any country in Asia or South America.

I have never had a cup of coffee.

I have never dived into a swimming pool head first. (Cannonballed many times.)

I have never learned how to skate backwards (I skate forward like the wind.)

I have never strummed more than one chord on a guitar.

I have never smoked a cigarette or joint.

I have never operated a riding mower, bus, streetcar or boat with a steering wheel.

I have never visited Jacksonville, Florida.

I have never eaten cotton candy.

I have never played poker.

I have never waterskied.

I have never ridden a horse. (Been on an elephant once though.)

I have never read War & Peace.

Wow, that’s quite a list! And I’m sure if I spent another 10 minutes, I could come up with a few more. Re-reading this list, my attitude is I’ve lived the first 43 years of my life never having experienced any of these so I can happily go another 43 years never experiencing them – well, maybe except visiting Jacksonville. And that’s all okay, because I feel content with the now – Happy BDAY to me!