A couple of weeks ago, it was my birthday, and I turned 50Fun, as one of my friends told me. So, I decided that throughout my fifties, whenever someone asks my age, I’ll simply respond with that: 50Fun.
In more than 50 years of birthdays, I have never worked on my birthday, and this year was no different.
Kim asked me what I wanted to do, and I told her I wanted to stay home and take it easy—sleep late, watch TV, take a nap, and do a whole lot of nothing.
She honored my wish except for one thing: a little birthday surprise.
That morning, she told me she had a surprise lunch planned. Knowing that having a picnic is one of my favorite things to do, she had arranged everything for a birthday picnic at a campsite about 30 minutes from the house.
She had already bought all the food and had been hiding it in another room and in the refrigerator. She packed the cooler, and I offered to help because that’s usually my job, but she told me she had it covered.
We loaded up the truck and headed out for a fun picnic lunch.
We found the perfect picnic table under the shade of a tree next to the lake and enjoyed our sandwiches, potato salad, and chips.
We ate.
We laughed.
We talked about all the picnics we’ve shared over the years.
And we simply enjoyed being together.
The seemingly simplest of things—a picnic lunch—turned out to be the best birthday present and one I will remember for years to come.
The simplicity of eating a favorite food, being in a favorite place, and doing it all with my favorite person.
My challenge to each of us is to stop and realize that the simple things in life are often the best things in life.
In our busy lives, where bigger and fancier often seem better, the simple things—the most meaningful things—can easily get overlooked.
Someone’s thoughtfulness.
Someone’s love.
Someone’s time.
Someone’s attention.
Someone’s presence.
The simplest things.
The things that cost nothing…
Yet are absolutely priceless.