Happy Birthday SEAN!

I can’t tell you all how much pleasure it gives me to write about my memories of Sean. Lurking behind just about every funny McGiven family moment is Sean. He is the consummate joke and story teller and prankster. He lives to make people laugh! I miss being around Sean on a regular basis and listening to his jokes and stories. If that saying about laughter being the best medicine is true, then Sean should have an honorary Ph.D.

I remember very distinctly when Sean was born. The day before our family had experienced a very traumatic event. I was taking Julie to play at a friends house and my friend and I put her on the back of a bicycle. I didn’t tell her to stick her feet out and so her toe got caught up in the chain and was nearly severed. This event catapulted my mother into labor, so when you read between the lines, the only reason Sean is here today is because of me ☺

It seems pretty ironic to me that Sean was born a red head (although you can’t tell that to look at him now as he has no hair, but back in the day it was long, shaggy and flaming red), not to mention the fact that of all of my brother’s, he is the shortest. The only reasonable explanation is that Sean is a Leprechaun!

There is a great joke that will give you a little insight into Sean’s psyche.

Three guys, one IRISH, one English, and one Scottish, are out walking along the beach together one day. They come across a brass lamp and a Genie pops out of it. "I will give you each one wish, that's three wishes in total", says the Genie.

The Scottish guy says, "I am a fisherman, my Dad's a fisherman, his Dad was a fisherman and my son will be one too. I want all the oceans full of fish for all eternity." So, with a blink of the Genie's eye FOOM! the oceans were teaming with fish.

The Englishman was amazed, so he said, "I want a wall around England, protecting her, so that no one will get in for all eternity."

Again, with a blink of the Genie's eye POOF! there was a huge wall around England.

The Irishman asks, "I'm very curious. Please tell me more about this wall." The Genie explains, "well, it's about 150 feet high, 50 feet thick, protecting England so that nothing can get in or out."

The Irishman says, "Fill it up with water."

Sean as you begin your trek down hill to the valley of 40 I just have this to say:

First, you were a good BOY,
Then, you became a nice KID,
You were then a great GUY,
Later, you grew up to be a fine MAN,
Now, you're just an old FART !!

I love you Sean! I consider you to be one of my very best friends. You are strong and TOUGH and I know that there are many great adventures ahead of you as you begin this next phase in your life. I know that if you put your mind to it, there isn’t anything that can stop you. I wish you all of the blessings and happiness that you so richly deserve.

If things get better with age, then you are approaching Magnificent!