Another birthday has come and gone, and another year is in
the books. I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful family that chooses to gather
on a weekend around that date to celebrate that day. We sit
Growing old isn’t that difficult for us. If we are lucky
enough, time slides along and takes us with it. Birthdays when I was young left
memories and warm sun, honeysuckle, and Mother’s sixth grade class picnic at
our house. The smell of leather always reminds me of that birthday when Jim and
I received new ball gloves as presents. Neither of us were skilled at using
them, but that never kept us from throwing ball in the front yard or trying to
play on the team Mr. Wright coached. Melt-in-your-mouth always set center stage
on the birthday table.
Teenaged birthdays were different. Sure, presents were nice,
but more important was having a few friends at the house for a while. After
celebrating there for a while, everyone left for destinations such as the
Copper Kettle or another hangout. Yes, we bought alcohol with fake drivers’
licenses and sipped on the stuff. Cigarettes weren’t taboo then, and many of us
started the habit during those high school years. When a couple of birthdays
rolled around, I even had a girlfriend with whom celebrate the day. Mother was
always home on birthdays and made sure they were special.
Adulthood changed those birthdays. Amy did more than she
should have to spoil me. We always managed to meet up with Jim and his clan at
Mothers. On that 40th celebration, she and my sister-in-law Brenda
planned a party at the Karns community center. A crowd of friends attended and
listened to tales on the two of us. My older brother sent a cassette tape that
recalled all the horrible events that we caused over the years. The get together
was highlighted by the appearance of a large, friendly dancer.
Lately, birthdays are more about just spending time with the
folks I love. Lacey and Nick bring Madden with them from Nashville, and Dallas
travels home from Chattanooga. They insist on giving presents, some of which
are rather strange. I’d as soon they saved their money and just came home for a
couple of days. Years earlier, the family stayed up late to watch movies or
television shows or just to talk. My bed time comes much earlier now, and my
eyes slam shut too soon to suit me.
For the last few years, Madden has stayed the week after my
birthday. We find things to do to keep a young boy busy. This year was to be
partially spent swimming in the river in the mountains, but days filled with rain
caused us to change plans. Just having him stay here willingly is nice, and I
try to keep him from being too bored.
This year, I greeted the anniversary of day of my arrival
with more aches and pains. Knees and
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