I turned 51 on July 13, 2012. It seems like just a blink of an eye since July 13, 2011 when I turned 50. Turning 50 was a big thing for me, and it was a big day as well. I threw a big reunion concert, party and CD Release event at Hemingways in Marietta, Georgia to commemorate the event. I was blessed with an enormous turn out of friends old and new. Family, friends and fans came out of the woodwork from far and near in order to wish me well and enjoy my CD release party at Hemingways. I was not expecting the response I received last year, and I am happy to say that my sentiments this year reflects the same. Just in case you think you missed another crazy Jeff Pike party, do not worry. I did not throw a big party this year, nor did I release a new CD. I !gured after last year that I would just let 51 casually roll by. It did not casually roll by, but neither was it the huge extravaganza of Birthdays gone past. Was there still drama and craziness? Yep...There has always been at least a little drama and craziness surrounding my natal festivities, so why should this year be any di"erent? Be that as it may, It was an amazing week both personally and professionally. The highlight was a small private dinner party that most of my family and loved ones gave me to help me celebrate turning 51. I learned a lot and felt even more changes occurring in my heart and life during those few short hours. I almost cannot explain it. It was a brief yet very important experience in my life which I will always cherish and keep close to my heart. I sit here today and look where I was just a little over two short years ago. I was at one of the lowest points of my life when I !nally chose to enter a local Celebrate Recovery program in Dacula, Georgia. Seriously, for the !rst time I chose to turn my entire life over to God, and let him heal me and guide my way. Both physically and emotionally, the experience has been more di$cult, confusing, scary and bumpy than anyone who has not been through similar circumstances can imagine. But I sit here today surrounded by unprecedented and amazing personal, physical, spiritual and professional blessings that have all happened since I !nally gave up my life to God and chose to turn my life around. I am blessed with hope, happiness and peace of mind. I am blessed with band mates, co workers, family and friends and a support system who believe in me like never before, and so many great things are happening. I have learned so much with so much more to learn. Do I like getting older? No, not really. But as long as I have my health, my recovery and my focus on God I know it is going to be a lot better than I had ever imagined it to be. To the hundreds of people who wished me Happy Birthday on Facebook I want to send an enormous hug and a humble Thank You. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me reading all of your posts. I truly will try to get back to everyone in time, but probably won’t have a chance to dig in until August. I have a REALLY full calendar until about August 5. To all of my friends who came out to Hemingways and the 8,000 people who attended our A1A/Jeff Pike Birthday Concert in Woodstock on July 15....uh...wow. That is about all I have. Just a spellbound “wow.” I cannot begin to express my thanks and gratitude to God and everyone who makes my life what it is today. I am beyond blessed and grateful, and although I stumble as we all do and will, I do my best to show my gratitude and appreciation every day of my life. Thanks to God, my family and all of my friends for giving me a Birthday that I will never forget. I love you all. See you on the road.... Jeff Pike I am extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Andy Griffith today. Mr. Griffith had and extremely long and fruitful career. I enjoyed everything that he ever gave us to no end. But like many, I will always remember him as Sheri" Andy Taylor. It is no secret to those who know me that The Andy Griffith Show has always been my favorite TV Show for all of my life. Not only because of the amazing writing and comedy, in that respect the show was magic beyond belief, but because of the simpler and more wholesome way of life the show betrayed. A show of love, decency, morality and family. I was a part of that kind of life through my Grandparents on both my Mother and my Fathers side. It has remained a part of me that could never ever be removed or altered, and I go there when I want to think of peace, innocence and extreme happy moments in my life. Like Mayberry....Just like Mayberry When I became a Father, as odd as it may seem I looked to Andy Griffith and the many life lessons he taught his young son Opey to help me with my road map to cover that journey. I knew Andy was getting up in years and would not be with us for long, so I was expecting this. But I didn’t think his death would hit me as hard as it has....Mayberry and the world has lost the best Sheri" we ever had. So before I get too sentimental and mushy I think I will go down to the diner and shed a few tears for Andy. I hope Juanita is working......... Thanks, Andy....Say hello to Barn for us.... Jeff Pike |
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