^^^
Chuck, Happy BIRTHDAY my birthday bro!!! THANKS for everything you do and have done these past 15+ years for UBF, me and all our fellow brokies! You are one of the backbones of UBF! Lyle, LOL.. really nice cake!! Complete with "Shoeless Joe" resting in the background! Well done! 
Debbie, Thanks so much! I know we've met only once in Chicago - you left an impression far beyond what you know. Ingy, Oh my, one of my favorite looks - so confused - LOL and with fruit - no comment! 
Linda, (for when you wake up later today...) Touché - indebted with far too many Thanks! 
Sara, it's such a pleasure to have you on the CMBYN thread - TY for your insights and recommendations! To all who post later today - THANK YOU! 
A true story for all who read this thread. When I was attending college, which is now many more years than I'd like to admit, I returned home one weekend - a 7+ hour one-way drive. I forget why - it may have been a holiday. I decided to be a dutiful son and do was expected. I attend morning Church services that Sunday at the Pentecostal Baptist church I grew up in as a child - my whole life really. The pastor, who was raised in a poor, rural, small, southern town, was back-country reared, extremely well-read,
thoroughly educated in theology, the schools of life, the Bible and an array of many other subjects you'd not expect. There was nothing I can remember, except computer high tech, that he did not know something about and could easily have an in-depth conversation with you on. Note now, this was all pre-internet, google and everything we take for granted at our finger tips today. If you wanted to know something, the local library was your source.
I'll never forget his sermon that Sunday because it was about something seemingly so mundane - "The importance of remembering birthdays." He delivered with his "fire and brimstone" charisma those critical points about caring enough to remember, and making it
your point, your responsibility, to remember - even if it's just a call or card. One single day marks the beginning of an individual's life which is touching yours, which though it is shared by millions also born on that day, makes
that day a very special day for them - which should not to be forgotten - especially by those that care.
When he quietly closed his sermon, as he often did in almost a whisper of a voice, I had chill bumps. He SO altered my perspective on the subject right then, right there. He used to record his sermons and I often wish I had a copy but it's long gone to the echo of those walls. Even now, just thinking about writing this for you is swirling chill bumps down my neck and bringing tears to my eyes. We often don't realize - until we cannot - the importance of those simple days.
So, I
do understand the importance of this seemingly "silly little thread" more than I can convey - even with this story.
TY my friends! V><V
