A seminal event

I talked to my mother this afternoon.  Every year, I receive a call from her so she can tell me I was a beautiful baby.  That is the best part about my birthday.  I love my birthday.  One of the epiphanies of middle age that I hold most dear is the realization of how important it is to embrace and enjoy one’s age.  Tomorrow is my birthday.  I will be 55 years old.  I am very thankful to be 55 years old.  We are going to have a small dinner party to celebrate with a few of our friends.

After about my 28th birthday, I quit enjoying the celebration of my birth.  I am wildly thankful that I started to embrace the celebration again after about my 45th birthday.  I think some of it had to do with the fact that Lorena and I had kids.  They were getting old enough to want to be older rather than enjoy their current age.  That seemed like such a waste and it dawned on me that I should also enjoy my current age.  The reality is that I am happier than ever.  I LOVE the fact that I am 54 years old and will be 55 tomorrow.  I think part of the reason for my change in attitude is that I want my kids to embrace their age, whatever it is!

Lorena loves it, too.  Partially she loves it because I will be able to get that extra 10% discount for everything in the store on Tuesdays at Ross Dress for Less.  Then there are all the senior discounts at the about a million restaurants.  She also loves to go to parties and this is going to be a great one.  Einstein died in April of 1955 and I just like to consider that maybe I was born as his replacement.  Chevy was building great cars, although some would argue the best one came out a couple of years later.  Disneyland opened in 1955.  Elvis first appeared on television in 1955.  The conservative National Review was started by William F. Buckley, Jr. in 1955.  It was a great year.

It is great to have been born in 1955 and it is great to be 55 years old.  And thanks Mom!  I am glad to know that you STILL think that I was a beautiful baby.