Happy Birthday to Me & My Dad
Yesterday was my birthday, which meant that it was also my dad's birthday! Even though each year we both are supposedly getting one year older, I feel like I'm closing the gap between my age and my dad's! Or, as my mom so eloquently put it, "You know you are truly old when your "children" are approaching their fifties!"
Thanks, Mom! And for the record, I am still in my early forties. Sheesh.
The day before my birthday, my parents came to visit bearing food and cake.
Can you believe the kids actually thought we'd have enough candles to approximate my dad's age as well as mine on the cake? Call the fire department!!
I always felt really special because I shared a birthday with my dad. But who wouldn't? He's a pretty awesome guy. I won't try and come up with 60-something-odd things that I love about him, but I'll tell you this:
My dad is also a painfully slow driver, a listener of way too much public radio, a reader of way too much internet propaganda and a staunch liberal....but I love him anyway.
******************
On the actual day of my birthday (yesterday) I worked out with friends and then went with several of them and their children to the beach. We had a blast. The weather was perfect, the kids all got along great, and we had many sunny hours of laughs together.
On my way home, I received a call from the local florist telling asking me if I'd be home to accept a delivery. Since their shop is down the street from my house and we were headed home from the beach I said, "Oh, don't worry about it. I'll come get them."
Uhhh.....
These babies needed their own seat and a seatbelt!
Flowers (at least I think most of them are!) from my husband. Wow, huh?
Later that evening I took the kids out to dinner (my choice - mwhahahahaha!) I sort of randomly picked a restaurant that isn't necessarily a favorite, but it turned out to be just right. It was in a neighboring town that also happened to be kicking off their "cruise night" that same evening. After checking out all the classic cars, we realized it was still really early, so we took a 40-minute drive to an ice cream parlor we'd tried last summer and fell in love with. It was there that another lovely family took this photo of me and the kids which was pretty much the best birthday present ever because I NEVER get to be in a photo with my kids - especially one where they are not all looking like maniacs.
It was a very good day. And to that end, this is all I have to say to myself this year:
Dear Me:
You had a great day! Sure you're getting older, but honestly, I think you're getting a lot better too.
Keep your chin up (while you still have one and aren't overcome by old-age turkey neck!)
Love,
Me
Thanks, Mom! And for the record, I am still in my early forties. Sheesh.
The day before my birthday, my parents came to visit bearing food and cake.
Can you believe the kids actually thought we'd have enough candles to approximate my dad's age as well as mine on the cake? Call the fire department!!
I always felt really special because I shared a birthday with my dad. But who wouldn't? He's a pretty awesome guy. I won't try and come up with 60-something-odd things that I love about him, but I'll tell you this:
- He is really smart and well-read and funny. If I am any or all of these things, it's because of him.
- He loves books. Because of him, I learned to read at a very early age. When I visited my grandparents in the summer, he would always mail me a huge carton of books of every genre-- things I would have definitely never read had he not put them in front of me.
- He is kind. He's never been a burly, manly sort of dad and I always liked that about him. He has a very soft interior. He always sort of reminded me of Alex P. Keaton's dad on "Family Ties." In fact, if my dad were able to run a PBS station, I think he'd probably be the happiest guy on the planet.
- My dad is the originator of "the drive" - the act of simply getting in the car and meandering about until you come across something interesting and new. LOVE the drive. Just took one today with the kids!
- He is an amazing grandpa. Just like his own father was, he is a big tease but always willing to indulge the kids in whatever game or story they demand.
My dad is also a painfully slow driver, a listener of way too much public radio, a reader of way too much internet propaganda and a staunch liberal....but I love him anyway.
******************
On the actual day of my birthday (yesterday) I worked out with friends and then went with several of them and their children to the beach. We had a blast. The weather was perfect, the kids all got along great, and we had many sunny hours of laughs together.
On my way home, I received a call from the local florist telling asking me if I'd be home to accept a delivery. Since their shop is down the street from my house and we were headed home from the beach I said, "Oh, don't worry about it. I'll come get them."
Uhhh.....
These babies needed their own seat and a seatbelt!
Flowers (at least I think most of them are!) from my husband. Wow, huh?
Later that evening I took the kids out to dinner (my choice - mwhahahahaha!) I sort of randomly picked a restaurant that isn't necessarily a favorite, but it turned out to be just right. It was in a neighboring town that also happened to be kicking off their "cruise night" that same evening. After checking out all the classic cars, we realized it was still really early, so we took a 40-minute drive to an ice cream parlor we'd tried last summer and fell in love with. It was there that another lovely family took this photo of me and the kids which was pretty much the best birthday present ever because I NEVER get to be in a photo with my kids - especially one where they are not all looking like maniacs.
It was a very good day. And to that end, this is all I have to say to myself this year:
Dear Me:
You had a great day! Sure you're getting older, but honestly, I think you're getting a lot better too.
Keep your chin up (while you still have one and aren't overcome by old-age turkey neck!)
Love,
Me