Friday, February 27, 2009

Birthday

I personally know people who probably stopped reading this blog right after they read the title of this positing. There are people who actually hate birthdays, but do they? Is it that they hate birthdays or just what they represent, and what they fear?

What is it that a birthday actually represents? A birthday represents a celebration of the anniversary of a miracle of somebody’s life. A continuation of this life.
Whether an easy year free of problems and pain, or one that was filled with trials and tribulations. The point is that it was a success, we are here to talk about it and we get a chance to keep going on.

I personally love birthdays and I hope that I and the people that I love have as many birthdays as possible.

Tomorrow (February 28th ) is a very special (Birthday) for me. In 1953 on this day, a star shined down from the heavens over a little town called Brooklyn, New York and born to a kind couple was this beautiful little girl. A little girl, one with the warmest and kindest heart in the world. A little girl who grew into a woman who knows how to love purely.

A lifetime friend, a partner and a wife, one who has been dedicated through the good and the rough times. One who defines the terms “in good times and in bad”.

Happy Birthday to my wife, Madelaine.

I dedicate this positing to my wife Madelaine on the anniversary of her birth. I would not be the man I am without her, my soul mate.

Madelaine is the salt to my pepper, the left to my right, the up to my down, the in to my out. She makes life so much enjoyable.

One of the things I love best about her is when I get annoyed at something she has done (believe me we know each other for over 43 years so we can annoy each other at times), I am ready to be angry with her. Then I hear her voice, she looks at me in a certain way and she melts me. I forget what I am angry about, she makes me laugh and then we go on.

Each night I go to bed thinking I could not possibly love this woman any more than I do this day and then I wake up the next morning and I love more than I loved her yesterday …. I look forward to tomorrow.

Madelaine has been by my side through my worse times but through all our years, we have had fun! Even through the darkest and heaviest (no pun) of times, we have tried to laugh as much as possible, find the humor in many situations and she has been a main force behind my strength.

She is also the greatest teacher I have had in my life. She is probably the smartest woman (person), I know. Her wisdom is superior. She has taught me to be who I am and not who I am not. She has taught me that she is not in this world to live up to my expectations, nor am I in this world to live up to hers, among many other great, wonderful and powerful things.

She has helped me to realize my relationship with God. She has taught me the true meaning of family. She teaches through example.

Madelaine is a giant among us and sets an example to me and many of us, on just how to live. If she has any weaknesses, it is not knowing how to say “NO”.

Not an evil bone in her body, no hardness in her heart but she would not want everyone to know that. So shhhh, do not tell anyone she is a softy.

I am the luckiest man to have lived and to have been matched with Madelaine.

Birthdays? I love birthdays, especially February 28th.

Happy Birthday my Boot, I love you privately, publicly, timelessly, now and forever.

Thank you my friends for allowing me to use this space to pay tribute to a very special soul.

We all need to appreciate life around us…
our loved ones, and our own.

Birthdays are not to be scared of but rather to be appreciating of…life itself!

Have a great day, have a great life!

Love
Mike

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

I want to be the first to wish Madelaine a happy birthday and a big thank you for being so wonderful to Michael
Laura W

senorziltox said...

happy birthday madelaine, as it turns out, Mike you were right the Dr said my lungs had filled up with water and I had chf, they drained it at pennisula, and I'm doing better now, I started working out today.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike and Madelaine
Your love for each other gives many of us who have had failed relationships so much hope. You two have found each other and that is a beautiful thing. Happy Birthday Madelaine and bless you both.
Tom

Kathy said...

Let me add a happy birthday to your wonderful wife Madelaine. We all know how rare it is to find the kind of love that you two have. Congratulations,Madelaine, and I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by the people who love you.

Anonymous said...

Mike
Please wish your sweet wife all the happiness in the world. She is a person who has been sent to you by God. We are all grateful that she is in your life. You two inspire all of us.
Annie F

Anonymous said...

Whar a beautful way to celebrate and wonderful woman. You two deserve each other and a very happy birthday to you Madelaine. You are blessed.
Kyle

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Janna said...

How sweet!
What a beautiful post.

I wish I had someone who loves me as much as you love Madelaine.

Anonymous said...

Happy happy birthday to Madelaine! I love birthdays, it reminds me to check myself and be thankful for my life and those around me. It's one of those opportunities to re-evaluate your current path in life, but also one to party up and celebrate all of your accomplishments!

Hope you're doing well!
Thanks for another great post!

MaryLeigh in Connecticut

Anonymous said...

First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADELAINE.... i wish you a day of so many things .. too many to list ... i am very honored to have seen the love between you and Michael... the struggles and the way you both pull together to get through things.. the many memories i have of you both in Brooklyn and when there the birthdays we were able to share with you...may this be your day full of all your dreams and wishes... miss you Madelaine.... hugggs and love
Carol

Anonymous said...

Dear Micahael
You and Madelaine have a beautiful thing and I hope you realize just how lucky the both of you are to have each other. Michael you are an example of what a true man should be. You are brave and warm at the same time. You fight and not give up and you are willing to share with others. You are not ashamed to be warm enough and show your soft side to your wife. A real man. A man that I am proud to follow a aim to be like.
Frank G

Anonymous said...

Mike
Thank you for all that you share with us. You have been an inspiration. Your love for your wife is an example of how a man should feel about his spouse. Happy Birthday Madelaine, you are both lucky to have each other.
Brenda L.

Anonymous said...

Mike
I wish I had a man to love me as you love your wife. Then maybe I could be comfortable with my age and the fact that I am getting older, alone. Do you have any brothers who are available?
Well thanks for this beautiful positng
S. Haprper

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
You have been such a help to me throughout the years. I love what you have to say. I can not believe that you have not been publisehed, come on America there is a lot of garbage that is out there in the book world. We want to know more of Michael Hebranko.
Mike thanks for this great posting, you and your wife make a great couple.
Thomas Williams

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
Great Blog, it is just un-real how you can touch the nail on the head. Please cntinue this blog, it helps me and I am sure so many others.
Geraldine F.

Anonymous said...

Michael
How long have you and your wife been married. We would love to ask Madelaine questions. I personally am the spouse of an obese person, who does not seem to care but I love him. I can not just leave him, we have children, we have history and yes he is my friend too. What do I do to get him to want to take care of himself? Can you or maybe Madelaine tell me what to do and how she did it?
Cheri H

Anonymous said...

Thank you for a great blog

Anonymous said...

Mike
I love it! I love what you have to say, I love your courage and wit, and strength. Thank you for letting me know there is always hope.
Jean Kennedy

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
How is it that you and your wife have lasted through so much. I can not see why she would stay with you. Don't get me wrong you seem like the nicest person in the world but there comes a point when you just get out.
If she lets you go I'll take you.
Marie T

Kathy said...

What a back-handed compliment.

Anonymous said...

Mike
I disagree with Marie. I think Madelaine is a real hero and I believe you are worth her time. You seem like a real kind and brave man, besides you sound like you are very sensitive.
Laura

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
This blog is full of sharing and goodness. I am gald you are doing well and I have to say your relationship with your wife is honest and full of joy for all of us.
Sandy

Anonymous said...

I came across this blog and have found it very uplifting. I have read some of the postings and all I could think is that I want more. Is there anywhere esle I can get more of what you write Mike. I hope you are well and I pray for you.
Thelma J.

Anonymous said...

I think this is a nice blog. I am 14years old and am overweight. My mom told me about you. Can you tell me if you were fat when you were little? Did your friends make fun at you? What did you do? Did you fight? Did you get beat up? I hate being fat and it is very hard for me to stop eating.
Can you write me back.
Hank

Anonymous said...

Michael
I hope you get in touch with that young man Hank, he sounds as if he is having a rough time as many of us did. Young people and kids can be harsh!
Lori Mann

Anonymous said...

Mike
thougth you would like to know I have been a part of this blog now for six months and with you encouragement I have lost 44 pounds.
Lee

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
I go to the same church as you do and I love the relationship you and your wife have. It is great to see you out an about. It is a small world I also lived in Canarsie in Brooklyn where you lived and I never saw you out there. Please keep sharing.

CB

Anonymous said...

Wow! Hank, you're a great guy...kids can be so mean. Try as hard as you can to not let the other kids bother you. Eating is a tricky thing....my advice (bear in mind it's not Mike's) is to try and re-learn what it means to be hungry. It's so hard! But after awhile you'll get better at it..just try and feel when your body tells you to eat, and eat then. Eat till you aren't full but just kind of full. Drink lots of water, and try to walk around your neighborhood when you can.

Best of luck to you Hank. Life is hard and you can do it.


MaryLeigh in Connecticut

Kathy said...

Hi Hank. The good news is that if you get a good control of your weight while you are still young, it is a lot easier than having to do it when you are older. Your Mom told you about Mike. Look at what he has been able to do. You can do it too. You can do anything you set your mind to. I was made fun of when I was young. Nobody who does that is your real friend. Real friends will have faith in you no matter what. Real friends will see what a great person you are. We all know it is hard, but it's worth all the hard work it takes. Don't ever give up and believe in yourself. Don't waste any time or pay any attention to people who try to bring you down. The best revenge is to show them they are wrong and to show them how strong you are.

Kathy said...

Way to go Lee!

Mike Hebranko said...

Hey Hank
First I want to tell you that I think you are a real super guy!! Any one who reaches out and asks questions and searches for help is a hero in my book.
Now let me answer some of your questions. Yes I was very heavy when I was young and no my friends did not make fun at me when I was young. Not my friends! Did other kids make fun ...absolutely!
Hank let tell you kids can be mean and even when you get older people can be mean. If it is not about weight it might be about height, or race or religion. When I was younger people made fun at you if you wore glasses. There are some people that just are not nice but most people are really kind and understanding.
Look at MaryLeigh and Kathy from the blog. Hank we are here for you but if you need to speak with some one talk with mom or a teacher or grade advisor. There are people who will help.
You also asked me if I fought a lot, the truth is I never hit any one in my life! I am not a fighter! But I probably ate over a lot of the pain and that was not good.
Getting our eating under control is not easy. We have to eat and we have to eat healthy. We can not, I repeat we can not starve ourselves ...that does not work and is very dangerous.
If you eat healthy and do some kind of exercise (whateve you are comfortable with) it will work. Of course make sure you always check with your doctor that you are doing the right thing!
Don't let any of these kids or anyone else hurt you.
Hank remember you are important and you can do whatever you want to do.
Like I said you are a super guy and I am proud of you and keep in touch with me. My email address is michaelhebranko@yahoo.com
Good Luck my friend and I mean my friend!
Miek

Mike Hebranko said...

Thank you Kathy
Thank you MaryLeigh
You guys are great
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Lee
You go!!
Keep up the great work!
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Carol
Remember those parties?
We had some great times in the house those days
Hope all is well
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Marie T
Thank God she does not let me go and if she did she would be an impossible act to follow...
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Laura
Thanks
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Thomas
I appreciate the kind words maybe someone will hear you and who knows what might happen?
Have a great day
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Hank
By the way, see no one is perfect notice how I signed my name. I signed Miek instead of Mike.
Sorry I am a bad typist!
Mike

Anonymous said...

This seems like a very warm place. I think I will be back.

Anonymous said...

This posting is wonderful, really heartwarming. Behind every successful man there is a strong woman! Mike you are an inspiration to many, many people. Please never stop sharing with us.

Ashley

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
What a wonderful place to visit. Please keep sharing!
Tyne

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike
Can you call me? I am single and I would love to meet you. You are an inspiration to me and so many and I know being with you would help me be a better person.
Please allow me to call you
Carla Dee

Mike Hebranko said...

Hank
Have not heard from you, don't cut us off!
You have friends with us
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

This posting is wonderful, really heartwarming. Behind every successful man there is a strong woman! Mike you are an inspiration to many, many people. Please never stop sharing with us.

Ashley

Dear Ashley
Thank you for the sweet words, we have a little princess in our lives named Ashley, nice name.
My intention is to keep sharing as long as I can. I hope you continue to join our "Blog Family".
You have a great day,
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Carla Dee
Being with you should be an inspiration to you. We can continue to be "Blog Buddies" and I will be rooting for you!
Mike

Anonymous said...

I have been studying this blog and find it very interesting. Michael what you have to say is so important and what some of the comments are help so much too!

ML said...

So, quick question for everyone:

What do you do to stop yourself from overeating?

Say, you're eating some chips...to save yourself from polishing off the whole bag, what are your strategies?

I usually count out the serving size, put it in a bowl, then put up the package in my pantry. That helps signal my brain that I'm done. I definitely can NOT sit down with a whole bag of something and expect to just eat the serving size!

Also, I found that making a nice pot of hot green tea makes me not get the 'munchies'.

Anyone else have ideas on this topic? Have a great weekend all.

MaryLeigh in CT

senorziltox said...

even though normally i'm pretty cool when people decide that they have the authority to give me diet advice, by the 20th time in a row, especially after I've been in the rehab center I've been in for a month, and lost 55 and 1/2 pounds, diet advice and jokes are hard to swallow on the 20th repetition, no matter how harmless the people are who are telling it to you. I've had to remind myself that these are people who will forget completely anything I explain to them, and just keep using my strong image of myself as protection, and as motivation to keep going in my own direction.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I find not keeping the chips in the house helps but MaryLeigh's suggestions sounds good. There are times I will find myself getting up and filling that bowl for a second batch that is when I will then throw out the bag and be sure it is destroyed.
Thanks for sharing
Mike

Anonymous said...

This iis great! I love the back and forth comments and Mike sharing his thoughts and life. Mike thank you for this place.
Tom

senorziltox said...

actually let me correct my previous post its 45 and 1/2 pounds in the month that I've been in the rehab center that I'm in not 55 and 1/2 pounds, oops (lol), was kind of angry when I wrote the origional post. sorry guys.

Anonymous said...

That's okay TZ
We love you and give you the space to be angry sometimes.
Your good and devoted friend
Mike

Anonymous said...

Hey Michael
How about some new words of yours? I look forward to what you have to say. Are you okay?
Let us know
Lawrence

Anonymous said...

Have come to this wonderful site and I love the information and sharing that happens here. This is a place to be. Please keepp it going
Latoya