A little over six months ago I asked sister Carol if she would throw me a birthday party for my 60th birthday. It may seem strange to ask someone to throw you a party but 60 is a huge milestone for me. The party was today my birthday July 12 and there was a great success. I had lots of friends and family there. Some family I don’t see very often except perhaps at funerals so it was great to have everyone together for a happy occasion.

Although they thought they were there to celebrate this big milestone in my life I also had a secret hidden agenda. I did want to celebrate my birthday especially since the doctors and many other people didn’t think I would live very long when I was a child. But my secret reason for wanting the party was to thank everyone for being such a blessing in my life. My longevity has been sustained by my faith and my faith is sustained by the blessings that are the people who love and support me. So I wanted to thank them personally and that’s one of the main reasons I really wanted a party. This was my way to celebrate all they’ve done for me. So I took this opportunity at the birthday party to tell them so.

There were many friends and family who could not be there. I have people who are very special to me who live hundreds of miles away. That’s why I recorded this message at my party. It’s my thank you to all of them as well.

It’s not only family and my closest friends who deserve thanks but it’s also other people I’ve come in contact with online such as the friends I made while developing the POV-Ray Ray Tracing graphics software, people I’ve played games with online, and in recent years the people from the maker community who have helped me through programming and electronics projects. Thanks also to the people who have come up with creative ways to use my code that I’ve shared online. You’ve inspired me and supported me and encouraged me to keep contributing the best I can.

So whether you are blood relative, distant relative marriage twice removed in-law, dearest friend, or casual online acquaintance… this is my message to all of you in this video taken at my birthday party.

Here’s what God looks like to me.

As I said in the video… All the proof I need that God exists is the blessings that come through family and friends. That’s why this photo of loved ones gathered for my 60th birthday are my image of God.