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You are here: Home / birthday / Him

Him

June 24, 2021 at 9:50 am by Claudia

When I reached the bottom of the stairs this morning, I was greeted by my husband, who, as he heard me getting up, had surged to his feet with a big, big smile on his face.

“I made it!!!” he shouted.

Yes, you did, my love. Yes, you did.

He’s 70 years old today. Let me tell you, he just gets better and better.

I’ve written so much about him on this blog over the years. You know him well, as well as you can without actually meeting him in person. He is, quite simply, the best thing that ever happened to me.

But I don’t want to make this about me. I want to honor Don.

Don is: kind, good, compassionate, giving, honest, trustworthy, friendly, talented, hilariously funny, wise, intelligent, strong, loving, true blue to all of his friends, a helper, a guide, a sponsor, romantic, passionate (and not just about me,) tolerant, a fighter for social justice, a life-long learner, adventurous, a great cook, an even greater life partner.

He’s a survivor. He turned his life around at a relatively young age and has moved forward with grace and humility.

I thank the universe for him every day. I am humbled by my good fortune. He helps me be a better person. He supports me in everything I do. And I do the same for him.

Bless you, Don Sparks, for everything you are and everything yet to come. You are an extraordinary person and everyone who comes to know you is richer for the experience. You’ve taught me so much and I am grateful beyond measure.

If you’re at all interested, Don wrote a few songs the other day and he recorded them live. They’re simple. Back to his folk roots. Less than 3 minutes each. Here is the link. You can click on it and all four songs will play for you. His intention was to get back to basics – just his voice, guitar, and a harmonica.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life, Don Sparks. You are loved by so many.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

 

 

Filed Under: birthday, Don, life 48 Comments

Comments

  1. kaye says

    June 24, 2021 at 10:06 am

    Happy Birthday to you Don and may you have many more happy days. I think the world needs more people like you!

    Take Care,
    Kaye
    Park City, UT

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    June 24, 2021 at 10:17 am

    Happy Birthday Don! You are definitely very loved and admired. Best wishes from Canada!

    Reply
  3. Martha Scales says

    June 24, 2021 at 10:18 am

    Happy birthday, Don!!

    Reply
  4. Jan says

    June 24, 2021 at 10:44 am

    Happy Birthday Don.
    A lovely tribute.💖

    Reply
  5. Donnamae says

    June 24, 2021 at 10:54 am

    Glad you made it Don! Happy Birthday!! )

    Reply
  6. Michele S. says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:29 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON! You & Claudia are two very amazing people. So glad you found each other.🥳❤️

    Reply
  7. Regula says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:35 am

    Happy Birthday. :-)

    Reply
  8. Sherry B says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:39 am

    Lovely tribute to a wonderful guy! Happy, happy birthday Don!

    Reply
  9. Dee+Dee says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Happy 70th Birthday, Don! All the best and enjoy your day!

    Reply
  10. Cindy says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Beautiful! Happy Birthday Don!

    Reply
  11. Dawn Marie Pinnataro says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:46 am

    Happy 70th birthday, Don! All the best to you on this your special day! And hey there to Claudia too. Have a great great day!!

    Reply
  12. kathy in iowa says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:52 am

    happy birthday, don! i hope you have a fun, easy day that is the start of your best year yet! may this year include you and claudia getting back to the extra-special place where that great photo was taken.

    claudia, such lovely words for your sweet don. i am glad you found each other … a great match!

    and don, thanks for sharing your music here. i don’t know yet how to put it on a cd, but i can hear it via the link (thanks to you and claudia) and love it!

    hope you both have a good day.

    kathy in iowa

    Reply
  13. Melody A says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:54 am

    Such a great LOVE letter from his biggest fan and ardent admirer! I So enjoyed reading your beautiful words about your husband and the love I could feel being shared here for him.

    Happy Happy 70th Birthday Don and Happy New Year as today really is the first day of your NEW YEAR! Blessings to you Both Take care and Be Safe

    Reply
  14. Fiona says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:02 pm

    Happy birthday Don, wishing you a day full of happiness and fun.

    Reply
  15. Joy says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    Happy Birthday Don. Have a great day and have fun – no lawn mowing today!

    Reply
  16. jeanie says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    Hey, cheers to the Birthday Boy! And to you for this beautiful and spot-on tribute. It’s a great photo, too. 70 is just a number — he’s forever young!

    And now I am off to check out the songs. Happy Day to Don!

    Reply
  17. Marilyn Schmuker says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    Congratulations on one more trip around the sun, Don! Wishing you a very happy birthday!
    Stay safe

    Reply
  18. April says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    Happy Birthday Don!! Have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  19. Lynda says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    Happy Birthday, Don! Hope you both have a great day.

    Reply
  20. Shanna says

    June 24, 2021 at 12:58 pm

    Beautiful, Claudia. And if those words didn’t bring a tear to his eye as he read them, Then I don’t know a thing about Mr. Don Sparks! Happy Birthday and Many More—yer just a whipper-snapper, ya know (From the ripe old perspective of 72!)

    Reply
  21. Amy says

    June 24, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    Happy, happy birthday, Don!

    Biz hundert un tsvantsik… Until one hundred and twenty!!!
    Mazel tov!

    Reply
  22. Becky says

    June 24, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    Happy birthday to someone I’ve never met, but who makes my friend very happy. I’ve enjoyed listening to your songs and from someone who had to struggle through last year recording in my bedroom, I’m in awe of your technical abilities, as well as songwriting and singing. The whole package! Hope you get to enjoy these future years with as much grace as you have up to now.

    Reply
  23. Linda Mackean says

    June 24, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Happy Birthday Don and welcome to the 70’s! Its not too bad. Claudia I love all you have shared with us about this amazing man and how he has changed your life. The two of you make me believe in destiny and love!

    Reply
  24. Jayne says

    June 24, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    Happy Birthday Don!! Claudia is right, we all feel as though we know you. You are both lucky to have found each other, and it’s obvious that you cherish your relationship. Have a spectacular birthday!

    Reply
  25. Lea says

    June 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Happy Birthday Don, you young fellow! May your day be as special as you,
    enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! 🎂🎁🎈🎉🎊

    Reply
  26. Dottie says

    June 24, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    Happy birthday, Don! May your day be as special as you are, and I wish you many, many more birthdays to come.

    Reply
  27. Carol says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:06 pm

    Happy birthday, Don! And many more…

    Reply
  28. JanL says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    Happy birthday to Don! My husband will reach that momentous number in August & I feel he too will shout “I MADE IT!”

    Enjoyed the music both words and instruments. Rosalee made me chuckle. An unexpected twist.

    Reply
  29. Vicki says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    A lucky man to have such wonderful words said of him. Happy BD to Don!

    Reply
  30. helgahardenberg says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    70 years old Don!
    Happy Birthday from Germany and many many more happy years with Claudia. You make the world a better place!
    Helga

    Reply
  31. Denise says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    Happy Birthday Don! I hope you have a blessed day!

    Reply
  32. Ellen D. says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    Happy 70th Birthday, Don! Best wishes for many years of good health, fun adventures, and lots of love!

    Reply
  33. Kelly says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    Happy Birthday Don!

    Reply
  34. Marion Shaw says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:44 pm

    Happy Birthday, Don!!!!
    Marion
    Shaw

    Reply
  35. Brendab says

    June 24, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    Happy happy 70
    My favorite Fraser character ☺️

    Reply
  36. Mindy says

    June 24, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Happy Birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day!!!

    Reply
  37. Debbie in Oregon says

    June 24, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    Happy, happy birthday, Don! I the year ahead is one of your best years ever!🎂

    Reply
  38. Linda / Ky says

    June 24, 2021 at 6:59 pm

    Happiest of birthdays to Don !! hope this new decade will be his best ever !! isn’t it amazing how 2 souls can find each other in this big world??? best to both of you. stay safe/healthy

    Reply
  39. Janette says

    June 24, 2021 at 7:27 pm

    Happy Birthday Don! Cheers to many, many more.

    Reply
  40. Anne V says

    June 24, 2021 at 8:11 pm

    Birthday Greetings to Don – may he live long and prosper.

    Regards
    Anne

    Reply
  41. Melanie M says

    June 24, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    Happy Birthday, Don! It has been so fun getting to know you through Claudia’s blog! Hope you have (had) a wonderful birthday!

    Reply
  42. Roxie says

    June 24, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    His goodness shines through every word you write about him. Happy Birthday, Don! I hope the upcoming trip around the sun brings you many songs, the opportunity to take more photographs, just the right amount of yardwork, good times with friends, and lots of love.

    Reply
  43. Chris K in WI says

    June 24, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    Happy Birthday, Don!! And welcome to the “I made it to 70” club. Not everyone is as lucky as we are to get to be members!! It is your 70th BD and our 49th wedding anniversary today. And Little Buddies BD too!! I hope you had a lovely day, and that you and Claudia have many more ahead to celebrate. Your music is great!! Rosalee!!!!

    Reply
  44. Donna (from efhs) says

    June 24, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    Happy 70th to Don! A lovely tribute and some great music — thanks!

    Reply
  45. Miche says

    June 25, 2021 at 5:04 am

    Happy Birthday Don from Queensland, Australia. I hope this day and the rest of your days are everything you want them to be. Thank you for the music, it is a lovely treat to listen to your voice.

    Reply
  46. NYCgirl says

    June 25, 2021 at 8:35 am

    Awwww you two are the sweetest <3
    Happy Birthday Don!
    Wishing you both much peace and happiness :)

    Reply
  47. Martha (in SF) says

    June 26, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    Happy Birthday to Don! Best wishes for a Wonderful Rock ´n’ Roll Around the Sun!
    (sorry to post so late – the wishes are sincere)
    Beautiful tribute and, reading about your celebrating, it must have been a splendid celebration! As Chris said – Welcome to the Club!

    Loved the music as well. Very nice light touches on the added reverb and very nice instrumentation. Good to hear harmonica on recordings, too.
    I especially loved « And the Beginning. »

    Love that you both found each other. Continue well.
    XOXO

    Reply
  48. Megan Wallace says

    June 27, 2021 at 2:18 am

    Very happy birthday to Don!

    Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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