Turning 50 Years Old

I turn 50 later on this week. Where do I fit in life now, why has it changed so much, and what will I do in the future? Can reaching 50 really change things that much? No, it is just a number but it does make us stop and think about what we do for the rest of the time that we have. Nevertheless, no matter how you cut it, 50 is a big deal. I don’t know why-I do not want any big celebrations.Rather than dwell on the depressing aspects of turning 50, I'm going to list 50 things, people and or accomplishmnet's that I'm grateful have been part of my life these past 50 years.
The List is in no special order.

1. My wife Maureen has to be top on my list. 21 years of marriage and we're still best of friends.
2. My Mother always there to listen. Another best friend.
3. My Father gave me encouragement, work ethic  and helping hand when I needed it.
4. Brothers and Sisters where there to share the normal family experiences.
5. Growing up in Bowie, MD. That was a great place to be a kid. Not so now....
6.  My mother-in-law Joyce Buswell and her extended family.
7.  The Ruyter family with 11 kids who lived behind us. Still friends with some of them today.
8.  8 years at St Pius X School. I know now the difficulty of funding private education
9.  Walking or riding a bike to and from there everyday. Wish kids could do that today
10. Teachers - Sr Richard (2nd), Mrs. Devany (5th), Mrs. Lee (6th), Sr. Margret (8th)
11. For good or bad my First Kiss, Smoke and Drink--7th Grade
12. Friends Steve, Joe, Roy, Bob, Pete and Michael.
13. Sledding at the Mansion for hours. Then hot chocolate at home.
14. Ice Skating, playing hockey on both Foxhill Lake, Allen's Pond, and the Front Lake in Crofton.
15. Day trip on my bike to places like College Park and Annapolis and home by dinner.
16. The Boy Scouts --- 3-4 years of Scouts. Every boy and girl should join Scouts
17. Scout Leaders Mr. Shea, Mr Napolitano, adn Mr Knestout.
18. Summer Camp. Twice at Camp St Charles in Southern Md. First time away from home.
19. Vacations with the family, especially times at Cacapon State Park.
20. My one year at Arch Bishop Carroll and riding the bus there.
21. Met the Crossed family that year and we've been good friends to this day.
22. Taking guitar lessons and playing rock music. Instilled appreciation of music I still have.
23. Building Bicycles with parts I accumulated from various trash and Recycling places.
24. Summer visits to NJ and hanging with my cousin Michael.
25. Delivering both Washington Post and Baltimore Sun. Taught discipline and order.
26. My friendship with the Jones family. Each of them has meant something to me.
27. My Uncle Bob and his endless stories. 
28. Met my dear friend Marty Wielert and became friends with his entire family.
29. Mitchell, Malcolm and Terry Wielert, have all been helpful to me at certain times in my life.
30. High School parties, hanging at the Pitt, Belair Liquors, J-mart, the tracks, Fletchertown Road.
31. Used cars. Cars, 1st --- 71 Chevelle, VW's and working on them.
32. First Job at McDonald's- Lied about my age so I could work late.
33. Hitch hiking to Ocean City. Did that numerous times. Meet some characters on the way.
34. Earnest Osti -  Worked for him for about 3 years. He taught me a lot about hard work.
35. and Trust.  Learned how to drive big split axle trucks, fork lifts and front end loader while there.
36. Robert Collins. Learned how to drink with him. Saw him blow his hand up when a tire exploded.
37. 1982 first got first hired at Canteen. interview and hired by John Fowler and Art Beneke.
38. Become friends with Wally Scott, Scott and Mark Weaver, Burek and Kassabian.
39. Take up golf in 1984 and have enjoyed it ever since. Still Waiting for hole in one.
40. My Wedding Day December 10th 1988. Made me a better man. Changed me forever.
41. The birth of my first child. Jack, born on April 21, 1989. Another huge milestone.
42. The birth of my first daughter Jamie, born February 20, 1991.
43. Bought a single family home in 1996. This was a 3rd house but now really felt like home.
44. The birth of my third and final child Jenna, born on October 14, 1996.
45. Became Shop steward at Canteen Vending in 1998.
46. Putting all three of my children through Catholic School for 8 years.
47. Elected President of Teamsters Local 67 in January of 2004.
48. Watching both Jack and Jamie graduate from South River High School.
49. Attempting to put Jamie through College. It's very difficult but a solid investment.
50. Still be able to exercise a little at age 50. I have my health and family.

Wow, after I wrote this list I see there are quite a few things I have left out. Seems I have had a very eventful life. When I reach 100 I'll come up with another list and maybe it will be more complete.
You can only perceive real beauty in a person as they get older.