50th birthday

The days leading up to my 50th birthday were pretty awful;  the worst I'd experienced in a long time.  First, I spent much time arranging the referral to the leading prostate cancer centre in Canada.  It was very emotional for my whole family with our collective memories of my last extremely serious bout with cancer.  Been there, done that!

I was near tears as I observed my father and brother galvanized into action, scrambling on very short notice to get hard copies of their prostate cancer history which were required by the Princess Margaret.  I might not get the referral if my prostate problems and family history are not considered serious enough by their standards.

Second, my wife picks this time (of course!) to resume her erratic behaviour and try to renege on our mediated separation agreement,  demanding that I pay her spousal support essentially forever, despite the fact that our salaries, pensions and career paths are identical.    The bug up her ass results from the fact that she's trying to get access to my parents considerable assets, directly or indirectly, should I inherit or receive anything from them via direct transfer.  She doesn't seem to get it that my parents will NEVER... NEVER.. allow this to  happen.  They`re prepared to disinherit me rather than see her get a penny.  She doesn`t understand that she has no support among her friends, family or even children in all her aggressive actions against me.

As it turned out, she reversed her reversal the next day and agreed to go back to our original mediated agreement.    Her best friend had intervened and convinced my wife of the unfairness of her demands, how she had reached the limit of her greed.  There simply was no more money for her to take.

I headed home from my doctor in despair;  I just can`t do this any more!  I can`t go on!   I knew my parents` were coming over with my birthday present but I considered asking them to cancel:  I did not want to see anyone, did not want to talk to anyone.  

I arrived to a surprise party which had been planned by my three teenagers for a couple of months.  The disaster-area of my house and yard had been tidied up somewhat and my place was awash in food, drink and friends and relatives, some of whom I hadn`t seen for a very long time.

Wow!  What an emotional roller coaster!  Overwhelming!!   The party was fantastic.  I ate and drank more than my share and sampled the various birthday cakes that arrived complete with homemade ice cream, hand-cranked during the party.   Even better than the party itself was my kids' excitement, giddiness even, over their successful party planning. They'd pulled it off!

Lots of great pics were taken but sorry, there are none that I'm willing to post....