Inasmuch as birthdays are a cause for celebration once you pass the magical age of 21 and can drink like a camel and carry a gun in public.
Legally, that is.
I mean, after that there isn’t really all that much to celebrate when the number you report in the “Age” field goes up by one, is there?
Oh, and having grown up somewhere other than here, I celebrated my permission to drink like a sponge quite a bit before the age of 21. Of course, had it not been for my good luck and Providence in getting here, I’d have probably never celebrated the day when I could legally carry a gun, so I’m not complaining at all.
So what to celebrate?
Well, for one thing I celebrate the fact that G-d, in His wisdom and good grace, has decided to let me live another year. Considering that I don’t know why I, as opposed to the many who didn’t live as long as I, am worthy of that, that’s a pretty good reason to celebrate as far as I’m concerned. Or wonder what on Earth the Big Guy Upstairs is thinking, as the case may be.
I also celebrate another year with my family. Every moment with them is a moment to cherish and I could die a happy man considering all of the moments I’ve been granted already, yet my cup continues to run over. A short half a decade ago I didn’t have a family of my own (of course I had a family, everybody does and I love mine dearly, but not one of my own). What a difference a half decade makes.
Furthermore, I celebrate the many friends I’ve earned (more or less deservedly) over the years and the times I’ve spent with them, not to mention the promise of times to come. You all are among those, whether I’ve been blessed enough to make your actual real life acquaintance or not. The wondrous gift of your friendship, blessings that I didn’t know years ago before I got to know you, is more than enough reason for me to be grateful for my continued good health and associated reason to believe that I may live for a long, long time yet. Who knows how many more gifts life has in store for me and mine? I can’t wait to find out.
There have been highs and lows, lows so deep that I foolishly wondered what the whole bloody point was, yet here I am happier than ever, having learned not to live in the “now” alone. The future holds so many riches and no man or woman with friends is ever alone. Shit happens, yes, but shit passes too. The more you live, the more you realize how true that is.
That’s another reason to celebrate.
And none of all of that would’ve happened if G-d hadn’t decided that I was worth investing more time in.
I’m a lucky bastard.
And then I get to thinking about all of the wonderful young people who haven’t been as blessed as I.
I get to thinking, in particular, about the fine men and women who’ve given their lives for all of us, fighting under the flag that we love, Old Glory with the colors that never run.
Now I know that they died doing what they wanted to do. They didn’t want to die, nobody does, but they knew that they might, yet they stayed the course because that’s what they believed in. They believed in their job and they believed in their buddies. I know this because I was once in their shoes. I lucked out. Ofttimes I think it unfair that I got off that easy and always I wish that I could’ve done more. But I also know that I didn’t know at the time that I’d luck out, yet I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. I was doing what I wanted to do. I was doing what I felt that I had to do and I’m proud that I did.
I can’t make the ones who fell on the field of honor for us come back to life and live the long and happy lives that they deserve, if I could I would no matter what, but what I can do is to honor their sacrifice by staying the course that they gave their lives for. I can do so by doing my best to be the best man I can possibly be. I can do so by making their sacrifice worth it. They died for me too, and I can do something for them by making my life something worth purchasing.
I can’t heal the empty hole and the pain in the heart of a mother who’ll never again know the comfort of her child’s embrace. I can’t replace the emptiness and longing in the soul of a child who will never again see his daddy. I can’t call back the love and passion that a soldier’s widow once knew in the arms of her loved one. I can’t. I wish I could. Oh G-d how I wish that I could.
What I can do is to try, in a myriad of little ways, to make it worth it. What I can do is to celebrate every day I’m granted on this planet knowing that they were, in part, purchased with the blood of people better than I. What I can do is to quit bitching and whining about the small stuff and concentrating instead on the joy of being alive and being a citizen of the greatest nation on Earth. Devoting myself to being the best I can possibly be and letting that attitude spread to others, sowing one of the seeds from which a mighty tree might one day grow.
I can try.
I have to try.
It’s the least I can do.
When I die, and die I will as everyone else, I will face those fine people, and when I ask them “was I worth it?”, I want them to be able to say “yes.”
In the meantime, I intend to celebrate every day I’m given and make the most of it.
Now let’s set off the fireworks!
Entries (RSS)
L’Chaim
January 15th, 2006 at 12:28 amL’chaim, khaver.
January 15th, 2006 at 12:36 amHappy Birthday, Mein Imperator!
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!:satansmoking:
January 15th, 2006 at 12:37 amHappy Birthday….Hope you have an awesome one. Yes, we do have many things to be thankful for.
I have one coming up this month too…around Superbowl time. It always works out great falling around that big event and happenings. (smiling)
Wishing for all your dreams and wishes to come true.
January 15th, 2006 at 12:40 amHappy Birfday, Misha-
Have a Bourbon on me!
January 15th, 2006 at 12:40 amHappy Birthday, Misha! :thumbup:
January 15th, 2006 at 12:40 amHappy birthday, homey. Every year you keep at it, you increase the amount that you infuriate them™.
January 15th, 2006 at 12:40 amYou have a witness here, good chum.
Happy belly-button anniversary!
January 15th, 2006 at 12:47 amYep. I can hear it now from the libtards:
“Beware! Beware the ides of January!!”
Happy first naked day Misha. Don’t forget to kiss your naval since it played a very important part in the first one.
January 15th, 2006 at 12:47 amI don’t think Misha swings that way, R6. He might like the swabbies enough to buy ‘em a beer or two, but I’m pretty sure he ain’t gonna be slippin’ ‘em the tongue.
Ooooooooooooooooh… You meant “navel“… Silly me.
January 15th, 2006 at 1:02 amHappy Birthday, Misha. May you be blessed with many more.
I’ll take this opportunity to thank you, for continually making me think and as in this post, reminding me of things I shouldn’t forget.
Thank you for the Rott. This scraggly mutt could ask for no better dog house!
All Hail Emperor Darth Misha I
January 15th, 2006 at 1:05 amHappy Birthday, Misha. May you have another sixty or so just like it.
January 15th, 2006 at 1:27 amHEAR HEAR!!!!….great post, very touching and truthfull…and a happy and safe birthday to you, Emperor Mischa, from the Mad One…may you have many more to come and may youre family and loved ones be there to make them happy….a loving family makes all hardships worth it
January 15th, 2006 at 1:45 amHappy birthday, my young padawan fisker.
:beer:
hehehehehe.
January 15th, 2006 at 3:00 amHappy Birthday Emperor! :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 3:01 amSir congratulation
January 15th, 2006 at 3:17 amThis tiny pints :beer: :beer: don’t do anyone any good
.The next time that you are out here we will find you
Opps:
January 15th, 2006 at 3:19 amwe hope that you will find us (for a real good beer).
축 생일 from Korea!
Thats “Happy Birthday” in Hangul.Kinda sounds like…Chuk-saeong-il.
January 15th, 2006 at 3:21 amHappy Birthday! Long Live the Emperor! :smirk: :thumbup:
Celebrate with beerverages! :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 4:03 amBest wishes to you, Misha
Here’s to another year of savaging leftist scum in your indomitable style
Cheers :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 6:34 am*tears in eyes* what a beautiful post! Wow Misha. You never cease to knock my socks off.
Happy, HAPPY birthday!
January 15th, 2006 at 6:48 amAlthough we may never meet…I consider you and all of the rotties my dear friends. You are in my prayers today.
Keep ‘em coming Sire! And many more blessed years for you and your family.
:thumbup:
January 15th, 2006 at 7:48 amSire, this is one of the best posts you have ever written.
Happy birthday, and thank YOU, for keeping this blog going, because you have been a blessing in our lives too. I don’t know what I would do without my (almost) daily dose of the Rott.
And yes, thank G-d, for the wonderful blessings you have (especially the past few months!). You have kept the Faith, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving.
Have a wonderful one, and give the Empress Sophia and the Imperial Heirs a big hug from one of your Loyal Serf/Citizen families in Flori-duh.
:beer: (Salute!)
January 15th, 2006 at 8:10 amHappy Birthday, o’ Emperor!
Skoal! :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 8:29 amHappy Birthday Sire,
January 15th, 2006 at 9:02 am[…] It’s his birthday! And that means a display of long-windedness such as you’ll never see from Michael Moore. I kid. Happy Birthday, Misha! Posted by Ian S. in […]
January 15th, 2006 at 9:40 amWhat, no cake?
Happy birthday, oh Imperial one!
January 15th, 2006 at 9:43 amHappy Birthday, Boss.
January 15th, 2006 at 9:52 amAlles Gute zum Geburtstag!
Ein Prosit!
javascript:moreSmiliesAappendSmiley(’:beer:’)
January 15th, 2006 at 10:00 am:beer:
Misha, Happy Birthday from another guy born this week! :beer:
Smelly old, goat/fish Capricorns everywhere rejoice in your celebration.
January 15th, 2006 at 10:11 amHappy Birthday Misha.
For the record, I don’t think God intended man to be able to kiss his bellybutton. It might lead to a few of us deciding that women are superfluous!
January 15th, 2006 at 10:15 amHappy Birthday, Yer Rottieness, from myself and the Headmistress.
:beer: :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 10:26 amMisha, Happy Birthday and best wishes for many more. Thank you for the hard work you put in on this site and all the humor you provide here. And come to think of it, I have some homemade beer waiting for me in the refrigerator. That’s as good a reason as any to have some!
January 15th, 2006 at 10:43 amHere’s to you, sire! :beer: Many happy returns of the day!
January 15th, 2006 at 10:46 am
January 15th, 2006 at 11:01 am[…] Happy Birthday to The Nice Doggie at Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiller! Peakah has got a new look and faster load time! Florida Masochist has the Knucklehead of the day award Six Meat Buffet talks about the Canadian Kitty The Nose on Your Face has Caption Contest winners MVRWC has a prophetic pic […]
January 15th, 2006 at 11:50 amDammit, this day always sneaks up on me.
One of these days, my liege, I’m gonna get Flavius, Claudius and Julius, and they, Merlin, Ozy and I are gonna give you the Misting™ of yer life.
Happy Happy ’til then, my friend. Beers to you, and many more ‘n all that… :beer: :beer: :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 11:51 amHappy Bday, Misha!!
ps. Mine was yesterday!! And I think I drank enough Laphroig for both of us! :shiftyeyes:
January 15th, 2006 at 12:14 pmHappy birthday Misha…I’ve mercifully lost count so it simply happens…I found myself gently carried off on memories you pen instilled in me. You wrote that for many of us, whether it be your intent or not. Just this morning with the Other Half, driving our new rig, listening to a great sound system, enjoying the cool, crisp, clear ait…….life has gotten better……..and yes, as you my friend. I am grateful, maybe just for today, but grateful just the same. The difficult times with their inherent lessons have passed, at least for the moment. Good luck and Godspeed to you and yours. And we are here for you too, you know….as you have been for us. A very special group of people here, I count myself fortunate. :thumbup:
January 15th, 2006 at 12:31 pmHappy Birthday from the Imperial Bar Association, Emperor. May your life’s path keep you from the Imperial family court, and out of the path of moonbat nuisance suits, lest the IBA descend upon the hapless offender with wave after wave of black suited, breifcase-wielding litgators, dumptrucking them with wave after wave of motions to dismiss.
January 15th, 2006 at 12:55 pm:beer: :beer: :beer: till you :sick:
happy birthday
January 15th, 2006 at 1:33 pmMisha
Happy Birthday greetings from the Great White North!
May you and yours have blue skies, gentle breezes and soft landings forever!
Joe D.
January 15th, 2006 at 2:09 pmfleiz Cumpleanos Oh most exalted Emperor.
Many more blessing to you and family.
January 15th, 2006 at 2:23 pm:beer: :beer:
Beautiful Writing Sire:
Keep on keeping on. Your service to us, your Loyal Citzens is beyond price. Many of us face the daily grind of difficult, dangerous and long jobs that few, if any, will ever know about or even care. We find ourselves surrounded by people that cannot and will not accept the sacrifices of the many contributors to our great republic, they see not beyond their own selfish wants and entitlement mentality. They refuse to accept the evil they see and do and swallow the bitter pill of propaganda provided by those that depend on them in their endless quest for ever more power over the masses.
This place, that only exists in our minds and the orderly flow of electons, provides a haven for those weary of serving the dregs of society and humanity, all the while under the control of those solely motivated by their own self-absorption. Nonetheless, we keep watch on the bastions of civil society. The burden is difficult, but as I’ve shared with my brethren, at the end of the day it is MY face I have to look at in the shaving mirror. So, you keep on pushing and shoving with the fervent hope that somehow you make a difference for the betterment of folks you’ll never know, that wouldn’t appreicate it anyway.
This place stips away all that. YOU sir, provide us a resting place for this burden called life. A place where our true thoughts and feelings can be expressed in ways not acceptable in the “outside” world of Politcal Correctness gone mad. The world where a person’s openly-expressed, rational, reasoned thoughts and desires only bring scorn, isolation and even at the extreme, loss of the means to provide for ourselves and family or worse. I thank God everyday for taking me along the rocky path I find my self moving along now, but with those thanks I include to Him providing the technology, time, place and friends to share the burden with.
Keep doing what you do so well here and in your life, you cannot overestimate that contribution to our great republic, your family and many, many friend here.
God Bless you and yours and may you have many more.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Happy Birthday, and I’ll hoist one (a small one, alas) for you.
Mark
January 15th, 2006 at 2:36 pmThank you so much, all of you, from me and mine.
Better friends no man ever had!
January 15th, 2006 at 2:45 pmHappy Birthday Emperor
Your wonderful post was an example of why you will have many joyous years ahead of you. You point out how grateful you are for all the good, little things in your life instead of complaining of what is missing.
We all wish we were a little better off in some way, however you, and probably most of the LC’s feel we are blessed with our homes, jobs, and families. If we need more, well we’ll just have to work a little harder to get it. Not have the government take it from someone else so our life is easier.
You have given me countless hours of enjoyment and inspiration with this site (and living in California can make you start believing there are no sane people left in the world).
So once again, Happy Birthday Misha. The first one I crack open when I get home from work is a salute to your day. :beer:
January 15th, 2006 at 6:07 pmAh, all this talk’a swillin’, ‘feel a toast comin’ on,,from our world to,, Rott’sville Texas, and beyond:
May you eat lot’s of beans and your spurrs never rust,
January 15th, 2006 at 8:01 pmMay you keep out’a jail and your cinch never bust.
Zum Volle!
Happy Birthday Emperor,
and thanks for your talents in creating this forum & exchanging of ideas. Remember, all of us are Americans, even the Democrats have died in battle.
January 15th, 2006 at 9:46 pmAnd the biggest HAPPY BIRTHDAY comes from Denmark. I’m so proud of you my son, even if you’re so far away, you’ll always be in my heart - every moment of my lifetime - and I think even after that.
Take care and keep on being the way you are.
All my love to you and your family.
January 16th, 2006 at 3:06 amMOM
Hyvestti(sp?)! :beer: Have some for me; I never could stand the stuff, despite a questionable fondness for just about any other booze :smirk: .
January 16th, 2006 at 5:48 amGreetings and Salutations from a weirdo in the First Socalist State of ill-ANNOY!
January 16th, 2006 at 8:34 amHave a wonderful birthday Sire!! :thumbup: :coffee:
hi emperor misha,
January 16th, 2006 at 10:02 amhappy birthday!! and many more to come!!
Happy b-day
January 16th, 2006 at 10:07 am:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
Happy Bithday, Misha
January 16th, 2006 at 12:57 pmHappy Imperial Birthday, Vashe Velichestvo!! May you live a long, joyous life, thus pissing off countless numbers of commies and driving them to apoplexy and early demise. :satansmoking: :beer:
January 16th, 2006 at 1:47 pm:beer:
Agreeing with Princess Natasha, Your Highness, I wish you a belated Feliz Cumplanos, and many more!!!
:thumbup:
January 16th, 2006 at 1:54 pmMisha, hope you had a great birthday.
January 16th, 2006 at 1:57 pm