MY 70th B-DAY + LIVER/ONIONS  (Decades to remember!)   Yes, it's 2026, and a few days into it, on January 3, I turned THE BIG 70. As with all my milestone birthdays, I’ve dreaded their arrival. I’d tell myself, “Now, you have to grow up.” I still haven't, but to help me get through the pain of reaching another decade, Ray always softened the blow. Here is what he's done over the years: 30th birthday: Ray set up a singing telegram to come to where I worked. The man dressed up as a clown and made me sit on his lap in front of everyone. I have to admit I was embarrassed, but it was a fun time. 40th birthday: My sister called to wish me a Happy Birthday. All of a sudden, our call went wacky. I looked up, and she’s walking in my front door. She'd flown in from Kansas City to surprise me. Hubby also hired a limo (first time for all of us) to take us to dinner. WOW! 50th birthday: Ray surprised me with a trip to Hilton Head Island. We had a blast, but I don't recommend visiting there in the winter. 60th birthday: By the time I hit this terrible number, we had retired and were in Florida in our RV. I heard that the Make-A-Wish Foundation was having a Gala. We attended and had a grand time. And the money we’d given helped the organization grant more wishes for children. 70th Birthday: I bemoaned this one for way too long, but as with all the other years, Ray helped me cope. He threw me a surprise party at one of my favorite breweries. Friends gathered, and the night was filled with laughter.   ELVIS came to the party, too! A fun time was had by all! Thanks to Ray and all my friends who made turning 70 one for the books.   January Funny: And speaking of friends, I have to share a little backstory first. A friend I grew up with in Kansas, her hubby, and children had moved to Houston a few years before we did. While living there, we’d get together and go out to eat at our favorite restaurant—Luby’s Cafeteria—and have their liver and onions. YUM!   Now back to the story—A few months ago, our friends mentioned they’d like to visit us. During the conversation, she told me that she had bought Ray a cookbook from Luby’s in hopes he’d make us liver and onions when they came. I assured her he would. And she asked me to keep the gift a secret.     They arrived and were barely in the house when Ray was given his present. He opened it and started flipping through the pages. He's not too far in his perusal, and our friend said, "The recipe is on page 60.” We all laughed, then my friend told her husband, “Go out and get the cooler.” He did, and when he brought it in and opened it, he handed Ray two packages of liver. He said, “Do you think that’s enough? And you’ll have to buy the onions to go with it.” More laughter filled our living room. How about you? Do you have a liver-and-onion story or one about a close friend? Please tell me all about either one. You know I always love to read them. BTW: The liver and onions were delicious!   https://amzn.to/47xzLbg   January Book Special: Mayhem and merriment travel along with the RVers in Early Birds Adventures (5-book series). Who knows, when you’re done reading the series, you may want to buy your own camper and tag along with them on their next journey.   Until next time… Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romances “Turning Life Into Comedy!” E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge