My last day at 66!

11 years, 2 months ago 70

 

Today is my last day at 66!  Well 66 years of age, tomorrow I turn 67!  It is a milestone of sorts forme as my father died at the age of 66 and for many years, I’ve felt I wouldn’t last any longer than that myself, so if I make it until 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning I’ve made it!  Tonight at 9:00 p[.m. my dear friend Jim Sugar will turn the page to 67!  I love calling him and telling him I’m sure glad I’m not as old as him!

 

I hope I’ve grown older with grace, I hope I’ve grown wiser with age, more gentle in how I treat others, and I hope others understand that while I’m whiter around the beard, the fire for life still burns intensely  in my heart and spirit.  None of us knows how long we will be here, but I know however I am I’ll give it all I have for Him…..

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Just so happened that 66 was my football number in High School!

70 Responses

  1. Today, February 8, is my first day of being 65. I met you in April 1997 in the Smokies. Your workshop strongly affected my photography. I just recently retired as a pastor and moved to the Nashville area to be near our granddaughter. I’m looking forward to more photography, and glad to have found your site and feel reconnected. Happy Birthday. May you have many more with blessing upon blessing.

    • admin says:

      And you too John, and Happy Birthday!!!

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  2. Brian Snyder says:

    Just wanted to say happy birthday tomorrow brother. Father promises us long life in Psalm 91, so if your not satisfied yet, I’ll see you around for a while.

    Brian Snyder

  3. Gary Pinholster says:

    Happy Birthday Bill! Hope that you have many more!

  4. admin says:

    I plan to stay until He calls me home!

  5. Randy says:

    Happy Birthday! Hope your day is great. I appreciate you and your words very much. Someday I hope we meet in person. Anytime your in the Amarillo area don’t hesitate to shout out.
    Randy

  6. Nick Coury says:

    If I don’t see you tomorrow, happy birthday my brother! Proud to call you friend and blessed to know you! See you soon, one way or the other.

  7. Eldon Yoder says:

    Hey Bill – I hope you have a wonderfully blessed birthday and year ahead!

    Thanks for your testimony! I’m about to cross the 25 yr mark and it is a real blessing to know that there are many who have walked the road faithfully before me…

    Blessings…

  8. Chuck Nickle says:

    Happy birthday to you Bill. I enjoy reading your inspirational words and seeing your great photography work. May God continue to bless your life.

  9. Richard Small says:

    Happy B-day Bill !! I’m very proud to have you as a friend ! May you have many ,many more!!

  10. Charleen says:

    Happy Birthday, Bill! Thank you for your inspiring messages – on life and photography!

  11. Hey Bill – We have never met but in some ways I live my dreams through your travels and life values. I just turned 63 and like you live in the South (North Alabama) and love all things old and tradition in my family and more importantly my love of Family and God. Keep up the great work and have a great birthday!!!!!

    Randy

  12. Wayne Bennett Jr says:

    Happy Birthday Bill!!!! Looking forward to seeing you February 20 in Corbin.

  13. Homer Fortney says:

    Happy Birthday Brother! Your comments on the white in your beard reminded me of something I heard our Uncle Ed say many years ago, “Just cause there’s snow on the roof, doesn’t mean there isn’t a fire in the furnace!” Hope it is a great day! Love You Man!

  14. John Gompf says:

    Bill,

    Happy Birthday. I am sure you will be around a while longer, God has more work for you to do. You will help others as you have helped me.

    John

    • admin says:

      I’m honored to have helped in any way!

    • Vijay says:

      Howdy! This post could not be written any betetr! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

    • Kalyn says:

      Most help articles on the web are inaccurate or ineohercnt. Not this!

  15. Paul Cassidy says:

    I wanted to say Happy Birthday Bill and also to say how much I enjoyed your work over at NAPP and with the team over there.

    January made me 65 and a member of the senior citizen team. . . funny though I don’t feel like a senior citizen though!

  16. Hi Bill

    Happy Birthday. I love your work. I celebrated the beginning of my 66th year yesterday. Age is only a number. it is what you think and feel and do that matters. Keep on doing what you do.

    Regards,
    Dave

  17. Miles Smith says:

    Happy Birthday young man! May God give you many more years of fruitful service. Cathy says Happy Birthday as well.

  18. May the Lord pour out His blessings on you in this next year. Happy, blessed, magnificent, and wonderful birthday to you. I am so thankful that the Lord brought you and His Light Ministries into my life – so many thousands of people including me are richer in heart and soul and the Lord thanks to your love for God and your faithfulness to Him. And our photography is getting better also, thanks to your dedication and service. You, Bill, are such a gift from the Lord – have a great birthday!! Blessings, Catherine

  19. Lynn Rogers says:

    Happy, happy birthday, Bill. I hope you are having a wonderful and blessed day. Thank you for all the ways you bless all of us. Wishing you many many more. Lynn

  20. Raymond Jabola says:

    Happy Birthday, Bill!!! May you have many more, especially as you start a new phase in your life this summer!!!

  21. admin says:

    Can’t wait to spend a lot of great times with you!

  22. Brenda and Terry says:

    Happy Birthday, Pilgrim! We hope you’ve had a great day. Not to worry as long as they aren’t mowing your roof. 🙂 You still have many good days ahead, perhaps even some of the best. The older we get, hopefully the wiser we get and the more we have to offer. That’s our philosophy at least.

  23. Jay says:

    Praying for His richest blessings to you. God bless you and…Happy Birthday. Thanks for your blog.
    Jay

  24. David Potts says:

    Happy Birthday Bill, I hope you will have many more. I look forward to learning from you and being blessed by you at the Olympic workshop in June. By that time I will be in my eigth decade.
    See you then young man.
    David

  25. Gene G says:

    Happy birthday Bill, hope you have a fantastic day !

  26. Liz Smith says:

    Happy Birthday Bill. Hope it is as wonderful as you are. So thankful for you and all you do to spread God’s word through your beautiful photography.

  27. Kay Sherrard says:

    Happy birthday to a great burger-lovin’, Bible-livin’, web-postin’, photo-sharin’, teacher! My husband and I are just behind you, with age-67 birthdays in Aug. Some of the active, outstanding folks in our photo club (Louisville) are in their 80’s, and are still doing great things. Makes me realize how much fun we have ahead of us. Thanks for your ministry!

  28. Tim Abramowitz says:

    Congratulations on another year well served. Your ministry has had no small part in putting some fire back in mine, and I thank you for that. You are being used of the Spirit each and every day and indeed that should encourage you as you look at number 68.

    God bless you, Bill.

  29. John Ruth says:

    Happy Birthday Bill !

    I am sorry we did not get a chance to go to the neon graveyard in Vegas this year. Maybe you will be a CES next year.

    John

    • admin says:

      I’m planning a couple of visits during WPPI!! Hope to post stuff then

      • John Ruth says:

        Bill it is best late in the afternoon or on an overcast day. You need to make a reservation online several days before you plan on going. There will be a lot of people trying to get in that week. Enjoy

        John

  30. Guy Rolland says:

    Happy Birthday Bill ! May God give you many more years of fruitful service. Natalia says Happy Birthday as well.
    Have an awesome one and cordially,
    Guy and Natalia from Phoenix, AZ.

  31. Melanie says:

    Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great day! I’m looking forward to seeing you at Photoshop World in April!

    • admin says:

      Please come up and introduce yourself!

    • Melanie says:

      Oh don’t worry, I plan to be in 2 of your classes!!!

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  32. David Warren says:

    Happy Birthday Bill (a little late).
    Hope you had a great day.

  33. Joshua Boldt says:

    Happy Birthday!