Damien at the Speed of Life

Me 1989 at 19

Me 2009 at 39

I’m celebrating my 40th birthday today.  Here’s a few words on how I feel about it.  American media shows us that it’s better to be young than old. I am not saying I’m old, but when I first heard the words “You’re turning 40″ I began to think about what it might mean to me. Some countries and nationalities, like Native Americans for example, see the value in wisdom that comes through age. I agree with that notion and I’ve always respected what my elders had to say to me. Have you noticed the way older Native Americans are always so at peace in pictures? I think I’m beginning to know why. They’ve seen life pass by in cycles of thankfulness. “Will we have corn?” The angels brought corn. “Will we have horses, the wind brought horses.” “Will we have the wisdom to know what to do?” The full moon brought the wisdom.

When I was younger I had a lot of anxiety about what I would end up being be and who I would be. My 20’s were just utter craziness finishing college and trying to “be someone.” My 30’s were a time of growing into my own skin. It was through my 30’s I learned the value of defining and avoided distorted thinking. To this day, those ideas of modern psychology by Albert Ellis still help me stay thankful for all I have. “Overgeneralizing,” “I must do this or else …” All the stuff he has defined as negative energy. I have become a life-long student of psychology and I will always respect what it is for people. Also in my 30’s I met my lovely wife Sarah.

She was a waitress and a teaching student at the local community college. Those were pretty neat things, but the fact that she was a freckle-faced cutie quickly won me over all the way. Seriously though, Sarah has so many talents that keep the Rileys going, it would astound you if you saw them all. Just one example is this party.  everything from booking the place, to inviting all of you, to the slide show, it’s all her.  Thank you honey for making my birthday awesome.

I am so lucky to be sharing my 40th with her. If you know her, you know what I mean about her giftedness. I became a somewhat instant Dad and Brandon has taught me a lot about being a good member of a family and being a good person. As for teaching me to be a better dad? I don’t know how much better I get but we keep trying and we never give up trying to do better.  I love you son.

My baby girls Isabella and Julianna are 2 other of my delights. What man could ask for more than to hear his name screamed with joy every time he walks in the door from work? They have both shown me signs of nothing less than genius through their speech and drawing and sense of humor skills. We have been blessed with so much which the pictures tell a story of. I came up here for a job interview where it all began in August of 2002. Now, I am a lead teacher in my District. For me, it doesn’t get any better than that. I worked a long time to get there so I will say I am an example that if you stay true to what you want and give it your best shot, you will make it.  It doesn’t have to depend on your ancestry dna. Last, like the peaceful Indian … getting older is cool because you see that everything is going to be okay.  Just hang in there.

40 is great … every decade is great … it just gets better.  Thank you all for coming … cheers!

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