Having a birthday on April 20 has always been fantastic. It’s spring, the weather is beautiful, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and people are generally in a good mood.

Coming four months after Christmas, and with most of the holiday bills paid off, the birthday present count was always very high too. Lots of presents with a loving family was always a bonus for me as a kid.

Speaking of very high, April 20 is also the day enjoyed by marijuana smokers across the globe.

For years, growing up, I just assumed people were extra nice on this day because of my birthday. But in college I learned 420 is THE day to smoke weed.

There are worse things in life than a bunch of stoned people wishing you happy birthday and sharing with you their crunchy Cheetos. So enjoy!

 

NOT JUST AN ORDINARY APRIL 20

For me this April 20 of 2016 is a bit of a milestone.

It’s the big 5-0!

Half a century!

I’m more at peace with it than I was turning either 30 or 40. Those were difficult transitions for me.

Truthfully I’m less frightened of being older now. Like mom and dad always said, “you’ll get to be our age one day!”

And that day, for me at least, has arrived.

Time is like a tsunami, it just keeps pushing forward. It brings people and events into your life and pushes others out. It’s relentless. But at 50, I’ve discovered, you get kind of used to it.

And I am not alone.

In 2016 there are other “people you know” who hit the half-century mark.

Check out the slideshow, beginning with Cindy Crawford. Still beautiful at 50.

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Yes, Janet Jackson, the youngest Jackson, is really 50!

It doesn’t seem possible, but here we are.

THE ROAD TO 50

What follows is the equivalent of life flashing before ones eyes.

HEADLINES

I’ve also made some newspaper headlines along the way… and none of them, I’m pleased to report, involved jail time!

And I’ve picked up a few trinkets here and there…

CAREER

Then there is the career. Working first around politicians, then the press.

FAMILY

But the best part of my journey has been the love received from family and friends.

Nothing can replace that.

BIRTHDAY PLANS

All I wanted for this 50th birthday was a nice dinner with my mom. And I’m happy to say that’s exactly what’s happening.

My mom turned 80 this past August. She gets annoyed when I point that out to people, but she still looks incredible and feels good.

My parents have always been my best friends, so seeing mom doing so well is simply fantastic.

I’m also thinking of my dad a lot today. It seems like yesterday he was turning 50 and we were going out to dinner to celebrate his birthday.

In fact, the year my pop turned 50 he wrote me this note:

My dad offered me this wisdom in his 50th year that fame and fortune aren’t the most important things in life, but instead health, happiness and the joy you bring to friends.

That was impossible for me to see at 18. Now it’s very clear at 50.

I miss you pop. Thanks for everything mom.

If you’re reading this, I’m very pleased you are part of my life. And I hope we will be friends for many more years to come.

-Jim