Yesterday I was 30 ... Really!

My birthday is Thursday.

I'm not telling you this so you'll run out and buy me a gift. It's just a simple statement of fact. On March 1st ... I'll be older (whoopee).

Of course ... if you insist on buying me something ... I've made it easy.

I registered at SunTrust Bank. It's convenient (I'm sure there is one close to you), simple (they printed special deposit slips with my name on it), and ... they include shipping and handling.

But don't feel any pressure to help me celebrate. I plan to try to forget Thursday.

Debbie tried to cheer me up because she still loves birthdays ... "So ... Joel ... what do you want to do for your birthday?"

"Nuthin."

"No ... really."

"Really."

"Come on ... let's celebrate."

"I'd rather not."

"Just think about all the wonderful things about life and all the wonderful things that God has given us and all the wonderful reasons to be happy and all the wonderful friends we have and all the wonderful ..."

"Excuse me ... isn't there a wonderful church service you have to go to?"

Bah humbug.

Birthdays are only fun when you're just turning 21 and you wake up in Vegas or you celebrate your very first birthday and have cake smeared all over your diaper and have no clue what's going on.

Not when you're my age.

No ... birthdays just mean that you are one year closer to the end. Know what people say when they get to be my age? "Yesterday ... I was 30 ... really!" or "Make that a half a glass of scotch." or "Can you read this card for me?"

I was thinking today that I will be the same age on Thursday that my dad was when my daughter Nicole was only 6 years. I thought he was really old then. He turned 90 this year.

I'm not sure what that means ... but I'm depressed just the same.

Someone ... please drive to Sun Trust ... before it's too late!