My 60th Birthday and Touring Upper Galilee

by Steve Ray on December 29, 2014




When you turn 60 you have to do some soul searching. At best, with good health I have 20 good years ahead of me. What will I do with them? How will I best use my last good 20 years?

Here is my list of priorities: 1) to serve my Lord Jesus to the best of my ability, 2) to be the best husband, father and grandfather I can be, 3) and to do all I can to promote the the Catholic Faith, beauty, holiness, love, excellence, goodness, freedom and all other virtues. 

I am the oldest of the three behind my mom and dad

I want to thank my mom and deceased father for raising me in a wholesome, intact family and showing me what love and marriage is about. I thank my beautiful and faithful wife for 38 years of marital bliss and for being the mother of my four beautiful children and grandmother of our twelve magnificent grandchildren.

My father died two years ago at 93 after marriage to my mom for 73 years. My mom is now still beautiful at 93 years old.

I am the most blessed of all men. I attribute it to the night when I was 17 years old when I walked out into the night and looked up at the stars and said, “Jesus, I am only 17 years old and very rebellious and self-centered but tonight I am giving my live to you.”

Now at 60 years old I look back and realize it was due to my parents and — the best decision of my life. The Lord Jesus has never once let me down and numerous times proven to be the best of Lords. I am truly happy and blessed to be a Christian and a Catholic.

Tonight at dinner, my friend Paul Brandenburg who has been my friend since we were in diapers riding tricycles on the sidewalks of Detroit, stood up at dinner and told our story. He had me and the whole group in tears. It was the best 60th birthday present I could have received. Thanks Paul!

I hope you enjoy the movie of our day today in upper Galilee.



6 Comments

  • Darrell says:

    Steve,
    Best wishes on your 60th! It’s been said that with age comes wisdom–May you live to be the wisest man your loved ones have ever known!
    Cheers!

  • Mary Lou says:

    Happy (Belated) Birthday, Steve. Thank you for sharing this video commemorating your 60th birthday — I recognized some of the places from the 2008 CA Mediterranean Cruise we took together. May God continue to bless and protect you and your Love as you help so many of us enrich our faith lives. God willing, my husband and I will be able to join one of your pilgrimages in person (instead of vicariously via your videos).

    Wishing you a Joyous and Blessed New Year.

    PS-Our son has the same birthday as you!

  • Teresa Torres says:

    Happy and joyful birthday!!! Blessings upon you and you dear ones!!! And good health for those 20 and+ to come!!! Have a nice pilgrimage and all the graces you need in 2015. Your friend in Portugal Teresa
    my son Miguel turned 23 the same day…:-)

  • Marye Pat Skinner says:

    Happy birthday, Steve! What a way to celebrate your birthday…at the Auberge! A great memory from our September trip (my 60th birthday trip to myself!)…my mouth is watering for the smoked egg pate!! God bless you. May you have 60 more years to serve the Lord and his people.

  • Tom Govern says:

    Happy Birthday Steve! Nice that you are doing what you like the best on your Birthday!

  • Brad Robinson says:

    Happy Birthday!!!

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