March 1, 2021
In June of 1980 there weren’t smart phones to document the moments we’d carry through every decade invited to participate with. Sure, there were tape recorders and heavy as hell movie cameras but nothing in the way of what we have today. I wish there could’ve been a way to fully document what the commencement speaker said during graduation. The only thing I hold is a memory. He warned us, empowered us, found reason to believe with us.”100 people are born on the same day you are. 50 of them will graduate. Only two of you will make it to 50 years in age.” Well crap! There I was. My 17 year old self sitting in that seat at the Metra in Billings, Montana trying to digest turning 20 not 50. And only two of us were going to make it to 50? Documented several times in my daily writing is the lifelong search for who was and wasn’t present before and after 50. This has consumed me for nearly forty two years. To meet someone born on the same day, same year as you after 50. The closest I’ve ever come is Tom Cruise! I was born on June 28, 1962. He made his way onto the planet on July 3. 1962. Sure I could Google it but that’s cheating. It has to be a 100% completely natural gathering without making any move or decision to make the moment happen. And for good reason. A wave of tremendous energy shot through me this past Friday night. A couple stood with me on the frontline. I politely asked, “How many years have you celebrated your marriage and love?” She, like most cases was the stronger of the two very confidently replied, “Almost 59 years.” I was instantly taken back. I mean wow! My parents made it to 49 before God brought my father home. To hear nearly 59 was a jaw dropper. I couldn’t stop the conversation there, “What day were you united as one?” She chimed in again, “June 29, 1962…” Her words are the very reason why I can’t Google the potential of there being another born on the same day and same year as me. I literally had to pick myself up off the floor when she said, “June 29, 1962.” I didn’t hesitate to whip out my driver’s license to show them my birthdate. We stood there on the frontline staring into each other’s eyes. The most authentic chuckles and reasons to hold onto them for many more chapters to come. What were the chances? I realize it wasn’t another person born on the same day and date as I had been searching for but the existence of there being an event that close to the moment I was born. They were married in Gaffney, SC. I was born in Sheridan, WY. Nearly 59 years later our paths came together. I looked at both of them with utter joy in my soul and became very determined with my next question, “Why didn’t I get an invitation to your wedding?”