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I have been told that I am a difficult man when it comes to birthday gifts. As I mentioned in my Birthday Blog, I am not a big fan of celebrating the day I was born since it is just another reminder that the clock is ticking. Of course, I should just be grateful that I have a clock that ticks at all.

This was really one of my BEST birthdays. The weather was wonderful and we ate outside. With the exception of some mosquitos that were also eating, the atmosphere was perfect. Good food. A warm, starlit evening with frogs peeping and family gathered around the table. Four of the five kids came, including three of the grandchildren. My youngest son is in San Diego and could not make it.

After the traditional singing of Happy Birthday (including a variation sung only by former employees of a local Mexican Restaurant — three of the kids worked there during high school), I blew out eleven candles (each one counted as five years). Now, the gifts: A gift certificate for a book store (nice), Curb Your Enthusiasm DVD set (one of my favorite shows), a promissory note for two days of yard work (much needed), a custom-made copper fountain, and one mysterious little box presented by my only daughter (age 30).

I held the little box for a few minutes and noticed how light it was. I opened it slowly and found a tiny scroll inside – a note. What could this be? Slowly, I unwound the note and read the words that made this the best birthday ever. “Happy Birthday, Daddy. Your daughter is 9 weeks pregnant.” Words cannot express my joy. My daughter is going to have a baby in December. Next year at this time, I will have another little grandchild sitting on my lap. Now that is a birthday gift!

Related Topics: Aging Well May Mean Mind Over Matter, Healthy Aging

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