On my birthday I have been pondering,…and taking a mental perambulation through shards of memory of people I love, and places I’ve been while on this amazing quest. How did I get to this place? What were the propellants which helped me on this path? Was it fate? Was I a participant in some sort of karmic dance? Obviously, I’m finding more questions… than answers… but this is fine! I am very excited about my discovery and happiness journey ahead!

My happiness journey really blossomed when I met Marla in college on a serendipitous blind date. I am one amazingly lucky guy!

A memory like this puts a very happy smile on my face! Marla is a delicious happiness ingredient.

I often reflect on family and friends who are no longer with us, especially on birthdays. My Mom was at so many of our family celebrations. I love this memory!

A happy reflection on the importance of family. I’ll raise a glass to that!

Family is everything to me and I am so proud of our daughters, their uniqueness, achievements, and love. I adore this image of Lisa and her husband Ray!

Stacy and her husband Stan are stellar on my love list!

And of course, my dream team is always part of my happiness journey!

On my big birthday wish list is what I must do in the year ahead and about ramping up my activism and political participation! Apathy will NOT be part of this year’s lexicon! “It’s been a long, a long time coming…but I know change is gonna come, oh yes it will!”

When musing over what makes me happy… besides family, I can usually synthesize it down to TWO ingredients,…WINE…and BREAD!!! I remember dinners in my apartment way back when I was first dating Marla most often included a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon!

And on the subject of BREAD, I must thank my good Facebook friend, Irene Turner, for turning me on to “Wildflour” bakery on Northern California’s Bohemian Highway in Freestone, California. We hardly ever miss it while on NoCal trips! Another happy memory is standing in line, in the rain, to get into the Acme Bread Company factory in Berkeley with my grandson, Owen. Acme is the pinnacle of sourdough bread bakeries!

My birthday reflections always include watching sunsets and getting up early for beautiful sunrises!

On my happiness itinerary this year is going back to the Big Island with the entire family.

Gardens are on my “happy places” list like the Denver Botanical Garden.

Or…at the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Francisco.

A birthday present I give myself is the permission to just wander,…sometimes aimlessly with no agenda.

I love to reflect on…” the adventure of discovery.”

Discoveries…far away.

…under leaves!

The adventure of quietly eavesdropping early in the morning…watching a young man do “canang sari” offerings in Bali.

A cherished present of celebrating with friends.

Future adventures of beachcombing!

An event I am really looking forward to is the Olympic Track and Field Trials at the new Hayward Field at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Many years ago I was recruited by Oregon’s Bill Bowerman.

I am bringing grandson Vaughan with me as he loves the 400-meter dash and we have tickets for the finals. My main distance was the 440 yard run in high school and college.

Marla gave me a present for a new bike tour in the fall. Can’t wait!

I’m a year older and a tad wiser. Not quite a maven though I keep striving. One thing I am sure of is the exciting adventure ahead!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.