OK, I’m turning 76 on Wednesday and I’m trying to fashion something that’s funny, because there’s definitely nothing humorous about reaching ¾ of a century mark.
I tried to gain sympathy from my son earlier this summer, but he was focused on his rapidly approaching 50th birthday.
I remember feeling a little slowed down on that one.
Seems to me my teenage birthdays were like all of my birth anniversaries I wanted to be older.
I had a friend who was bragging to a group of us that girls all thought he looked 17 – we were 16.
My girlfriend at the time was definitely unimpressed with this line of adolescent boasting.
You don’t lie about your age do you, she asked.
If I knew the wording about taking the Fifth, I would have used it.
Now on the eve of the 76th, I realize that if I said I look older, everybody would believe me – or they would think I’m lying about my real age.
I was once impatient about my birthday coming so late – in August – when all of my classmates had already turned a year old.
I did have a classmate from Kerrville, who expressed surprised that I was the youngest of the class.
She asked did it seem strange.
Maybe in the 1950s it might have seemed odd – it did. Not much when you grow up.
I thought about birthdays through the years – the air rifles – they really did shoot air – the footballs, catcher’s mitts, bikes and a dog, when I was 11.
Strange, one of my dogs just brushed against the leg.
I suppose books are what I most remember about birthday, mainly because that’s a commonly given gift now.
I’ve made the joke – hardly funny – that I borrowed from Star Wars.
He’s more machine than man, in deference to a number of additions made.
But I truly am happy to share my life with MaLinda and our several children in our extended family.
I will note that an announcement worthy of the grand boasts of the past – is that I’ll be a great-grandfather come January.
It’s a girl – something truly grand in my family full of boys over the years.
I just can’t wait to go on and on about my birthdays.
If she’s my kin, she will be more interested in her birthday legacy.
