“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” —Voltaire

“There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why.” —William Barclay

“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

Rebekah and I enjoy people. We love our church, we love our friends, and a noisy dinner party is one of our favorite events. But then sometimes we choose to go for the quiet with just the two of us.

That’s how we celebrated my landmark 70th birthday. That kind of a number sounds like cause for a party, a celebration, a lot of hoopla and more. Well of course it was – it is… but not this time. We talked to both of our children via video and our grandchildren too. Then a quiet lowkey day rounded off with a fabulous dinner over at the Rustic Roots restaurant in Bunn.

Rustic Roots is an excellent example of a “farm to table” concept eatery when it is done right. Casual ambiance, great food, exceptional service.

We started with probably the best version of the classic deviled egg we have ever tasted. And that’s saying something because this, after all, is The South, and deviled eggs are essential food. No offense to all the great cooks who prepare deviled eggs for church suppers and family dinners, but the recipe at Rustic Roots is another level, something beyond exceptional.

Then I chose the mahi-mahi and Rebekah enjoyed tenderloin beef tips in a rich gravy. For my birthday “cake” we shared a slice of chocolate chess pie with homemade ice cream. So good.

Yes, we could have walked down the street to On The Square (which we do and we will again, very soon and often). But it was luxurious to enjoy a relaxed forty-minute drive with Rebekah reading to me and landing somewhere obscure where we could continue the quiet and anonymous celebration.

The three birthday quotes I selected, above, sum things up pretty well. Voltaire is so right that living well is the only reasonable way to respond to a gift so completely amazing as life.

I have already set the Barclay quote aside because it fits very well with the new book project I just launched – “This, I Believe.”

Then Eleanor Roosevelt’s observation may be a truism but it is worth considering seriously. I really have never been this old and I absolutely will never again be this young. I see it as a set up for what I am now calling “The Voltaire Imperative.”

But I will add one more twist to the Barclay quote. There is a third great day in life. That would be today. Live it well, friends!

– DEREK