I’ve never been big on birthdays. Well, not my own anyway. It’s just not something I’ve ever given much thought to. I don’t think there is anything wrong with them. I’m just not a “party guy” so to speak.
I turned 30 last year. It seemed like that one should be a big deal. I didn’t think it needed to be a big deal, but a lot of other people told me 30 was a big deal. I wondered what would happen. Would I wake up in the morning with gray hair, or even worse, going bald? Would my joints start to ache with each movement? Would the perfect girl, maybe an angel, fall from heaven and land outside my apartment; a 30th birthday gift from God? I don’t know. It was apparent, based on the opinions of others, that this was indeed a milestone.
After listening to the words spoken by all these different people, I decided this time around, for a change, I would mark the occasion. So, off to the corner grocery store I went where I would buy myself a cake mix and some icing. I returned home, fired up the oven, busted out the wooden spoon, which for a change was not being busted over my butt, and I made myself a cake. Before you ask, there were no candles. Nor did I sing for myself.
I celebrated my 30th birthday in my apartment, eating my cake, and watching old movies on TCM. It was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn’t feel any different. I didn’t look any different. Well, maybe a little different after eating the entire cake, but that doesn’t count. I was 30 and it felt, to me, exactly the same as 29.
Tonight my family held a surprise birthday party for one of my uncle’s. He turned 60. We all gathered together at 7 and at 7:30 he was brought to the hall and, much to the delight of all the conspirators, he was surprised. My job for the evening was that of photographer, of which I am not. But, when you have a fancy camera, whether you actually know how to use it is of little relevance. It seems to be more about looking the part. I look it well!
I followed him around the room with my camera as he greeted his friends and family, all the while grinning from ear to ear. There was a lot of hugs and handshakes and he even gave, and received, a few kisses – that on it’s own is a motivator to celebrate a birthday! The evening was filled with a lot of conversation, even more laughs, lots of “old timey” (think O’ Brother Where Art Thou) music, and dancing, even the square kind! ;-)
One thing that I kept noticing all through the night was my uncle’s joy when he was with members of his family. His wife and one of his daughters, her husband and their 2 children – his grandchildren. He would smile and laugh and dance with them and he seemed to glow. I did my best to capture some of those moments, memories he can hold on to for many birthdays to come.
As I watched the scene unfold throughout the evening, I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out a little. I made myself a cake, and I told myself happy birthday, but I found myself wanting what he had. A wife, children, grandchildren. He has it great, and he knows it! You can see it in his face each time he would look at them.
So Happy Birthday Uncle Frank. I can only hope that on my 60th, I can celebrate like you. Not because I’m turning another year older, but because I have had another year of blessings, filled with people I love and who love me.
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