50 Is Only 50%

The actual anniversary of the day of his birth is tomorrow or maybe the day after. Yesterday, however, was the party. It was a warm early summer day. The pool in his back yard was open. The water was warm, clear, and filled with playful teenagers and preteens. One of the gifts was a plastic pool raft/boat/blow-up island. Splashing around in the pool, in the raft was the 'birthday boy'. BB was not a happy camper though he's grinning, hooting, and partying hearty.
You'd just like to slap him! Two lovely teenage children who's time he shares with his ex-wife. His lovely young wife who adores him and makes him as happy and comfortable as a girl can. He has all the toys he needs to occupy his time and mind. He's self employed so there's no clock to punch or boss to "write him up" for tardiness, failure to dot an 'i', or smile at a manager.
Why slap him? He needs a wake up call. Here's a boy of only 50 years, thinking that reaching that mid-life goal is some terrible end of the world. He still has that boyish charm, grin, sense of adventure, and zest for life that fills a young man's heart. He still makes the girls melt when he puts on his pirate captain uniform. He still makes his wife all warm and fuzzy feeling when she sees his handsome, smiling face. Slap him because he has all this great stuff going for him and still he doesn't see.
He doesn't see the crowd of people around him, well chosen by his wife to party in his 51st year, demonstrating that life is very very far from over when a man hits 50. Most think the best part has just arrived, or soon will. A man of 50 is still young enough to thunder down roller coaster mountains, white water raft in the wilds, and party until dawn with a bunch of tropical shirt-wearing fools. But now, he can begin to see how blessed he is to not only be physically able to share these joys, but also be mentally mature enough to grasp the moments at hand and hold them dear. Now is the time to treasure those friends and relatives, old and young, and let their love soak into your very being.
No Danny. It only gets better from here. You are embarking upon the finest hours and happiest days of your life. The kids require less and less of your oversight, and more and more of enjoying their lives as they rapidly unfold, Your parents can now have more of your time as your other responsibilities thin out in this more settled era. Your friends can have more of you to enjoy and be enjoyed more by you. Jump up and LIVE boy! You have reached an important landmark. The redemption of your pre-fifty life's mistakes, and the promise of how great it gets now that you've gotten here.
Enjoy the beauty and freedom you've earned and will enjoy for several more decades!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN!