ARE YOU ONE? ARE YOU TWO?

I just had a birthday. Which means I now have a birthday coming up.

Important at an advanced age to have something to look forward to…

As Mark Twain said, “The two most important days of your life: The day you’re born, and the day you find out why”.

As with most of us, still working on that purpose thing… but just reminded future generations a big part.

This an ‘electric’ birthday, celebrated in Charlotte with my daughter’s family – 3 grandsons under 8 – and our two sons.

I of the ‘Nothing Happening Here’ birthday group, Happy with minimal recognition, no gifts, a trait father-inherited. But this was 3 days of full-on recognition:

John inflating the ‘Happy Birthday blow-up’, it remaining up the entire weekend. Oddly, I envied that thing… memories.

Pizza at a brewery Friday night, our sons surprise joiners from ATL.

Two Saturday soccer games, random daughter friends wishing me HB. The ref awarding me a red card, with a matching slide tackle.

And much like when Babe Ruth hit a homer for a child in the hospital with cancer – later hitting a single for a child with a cold – both James and cousin Nora scoring a goal for PA.

Lunch following at Optimist Hall, a collection of restaurants – I’d recommend a burger and a beer if you’ve never tried it.

Grilled burgers Saturday night. And beer. Sensing a theme here…

The only gift a beach shirt, replacing a very old, worn-out beach shirt. The gift practical and immediately in rotation. Even my dad would have approved.

And three birthday traditions, two renewed, one new:

Annual reading of my mother’s 19^th birthday letter, telling me how proud she and my dad were of me. Thanks mom!

A Krispy Kreme trip – Hot Light On!

James reading “The Night You Were Born”: You brought wonder and magic to the world!   

Home Monday, tires remaining un-shredded.

Three days of birthday fun – only 5 less than My Captor’s usual. But My Captor much more attuned to her friend’s birthdays, sending wishes, gifts, thank you notes – she currently in the 6th year of a seemingly never ending thank you note exchange – as only women can.  

Like most ‘old guys’, I’m birthday indifferent – relatively – but grandkids made the day. Kids Today! (Oddly, Shakes fist appreciatively!) really know how to celebrate birthdays.

Bursting into your room and shouting happy birthday! Fortunately, they got the day right…

Later, blowing out my candles.  Saliva dribbles included, no charge.

James doing the Are You 1?, Are You 2? … count up, in my case requiring a break mid-way.

Even opening your birthday gift(s).

And their hand drawn card looking like something I’d done – but better.

Kids understanding Your birthday YOUR day, milk it for all it’s worth…

While I’m grateful to my dad for all he did for me, I also ‘thank’ him for my ‘low-key’ birthday attitude. Maybe it was multiple years of birthday Old Spice that finally made him declare “No gifts – I don’t need another damn sweater”! But My Captor worked around that decree with goofy socks and other ‘fun’ items – eventually a sweater – or maybe he just liked her more than me.  

Another theme sensed…

But I also recognize my grandkids behaving like when I was a Kid Today! (Shakes fist nostalgically).  We were ready to go – so proud of the Old Spice we’d lovingly wrapped – and the cards we made.

And my dad reacting with surprise and gratitude, making us feel like we’d made his birthday the best ever!

Fortunately, another thing I learned from him…

ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC’:

Neko case has a new album out. Quite good. And I have a new book out:

QUEENIE AND PA: ADVENTURES IN GRANDPARENTING… And Other Topics

Available on Amazon! Order today, laughing by Tuesday! Only 1.8 cents per laugh!

https://www.amazon.com/QUEENIE-PA-ADVENTURES-GRANDPARENTING- 2