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It happened thirty eight years ago today, on May 8th, 1971. It was my dad’s 37th birthday. As a treat to himself, he had bought a brand new bicycle, a light brown coloured “Peugeot”. At that time, one of the most modern bicycles that was available on the market. I had just become eleven years old / young. The whole family, my parents, me and my sister (my younger brother was born only five and a half years later) went to pick up the bike at the local bikeshop in Aalter, Belgium. Very proudly, my dad jumped on his bicycle and rode it all the way to his parents, who were living about ten kilometers away. My mom was following him while driving the family car, and we were all watching dad, riding his brand new bike as if he was racing a time-trial stage in the Tour de France.

A little later, me, my dad and my grandfather were sitting next to each other on a bench in his garden full of flowers my grandmom was so passionate about, admiring his new toy. I remember exactly my grandfather’s words: “Son, enjoy your life to the fullest, because once you have become thirty seven years of age, the years will be passing by very, very quickly!”. My grandfather was 63 at that time. He passed away in 1994, aged 86.

Somehow, during all my life, I have never forgotten these words, and from time to time, I stand still and take a moment to think about my grandfather’s words. I am now forty nine, twelve years older than my dad was in 1971. As an eleven year old kid, I couldn’t quite catch the meaning of my grandfather’s words. But now, I must admit he was right. Every day is going faster and faster. I’m just making the best out of it each and every single day. Life’s far too short not to enjoy it to the fullest!

My dad is celibrating his 75th birthday today. So… happy birthday dad. Make it a BRILLIANT day today!

My parents and me at their 50th Wedding Anniversary Party on 4th of April of this year.

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