Happy Birthday To ME!

Good Morning, All!  Today is my birthday and I'm 43 years old!  I'm starting with this because I want it understood that I like my age.  It's taken me a long time and a lot of hard work to get here and I'm proud of it.  This was not always the case.  I was well practiced at lying about it.  For years I turned 23, then 27 a couple of times, then, as my son got older, had him add 18 to his age (which means I would be 35 this year if I was still lying!) but no more!  I'm 43.

My Grandmother never let us say her age out loud, still doesn't.  When I asked her why she said it was because people tend to pigeon hole you with assumptions based on your age.  I know that to be true, but I can't help it, I'm 43.  If you want to put me in some stereotype of 43, well, I guess you had better get on with it, but before you do, let me tell you about my version of 43.

I play toys.  (This is how my son called playing with toys as a toddler)  I do it.  Some little kid asks me to play a game, wrestle around the living room, color in a book, have a race, blow bubbles in my chocolate milk, pick weeds and call them flowers, pretend to be zoo animals, I'm going to.  That child is going to grow up, and there won't be any more of that, take it while you can.

I play pranks on people.  Hmm, come to think of it, it's time for a good one, note to self.  Life is short enough and short on laughter, I need to laugh, but more, I need to hear other people laugh.  I'm not mean spirited, pranks don't have to be mean.  Play them, create more laughter in the world, or at the very least, learn some really good jokes!

I watch cartoons.  Who wants to watch horrid reality t.v. which is overproduced and sad documentaries and violent news programs?  Sure watch them, but never underestimate the healing power of a good cartoon, remember those?  They made you laugh?  Go laugh!  Let go, you don't always have to be a grown up, get in touch with the inner child, even if it's just for one half hour cartoon.

I listen to new music.  I also listen to old music.  I like to know what the youngsters are listening to, it helps to figure them out, understand them a little better, stay in touch with them.  Seems to me that teenagers trust you a little more if you are interested in some of the things they are interested in.  Wait a sec, hmm, I don't think that just applies to teenagers, does it?  Nope.  Adults are the same, aren't we?

I like candy!  I get excited when I get candy, and not the grown up chocolate truffle business (well, yes I do, but we're not talking about that).  Give me a Watermelon Blow Pop and I'm thrilled!  It gives me the taste of my youth for a moment and I am transported to Goldstein's Candy Store with a quarter in my pocket and the dilemma of choosing a Summit, a Wachtmacallit, Chewy Sweet Tarts, KitKat, Reese Cups, Big League Chew, Bubble Yum or a couple of Blow Pops!  Remember smell and taste are strong memory inducers, so go induce your memory!

I still climb trees.  I can't help myself.  I see a good climbing tree, I've got to get up in it.  Even if I'm wearing dress pants and weejuns and at an honest to God Irish wake in Edinboro (Pennsylvania, I should be so lucky to be at the real one!).  Yes, I did that.  In that tree I was easily 3 stories above the ground.  I really didn't think anyone would see me, it was dusk, there was lots of foliage, but they did, so I came down to fearful cries from my soon to be Mother In Law.  It was scandalous!  Brian alternated between embarrassed, resigned and proud!  But what better time to climb a tree?  I was at a wake, a reminder to grasp all that life has thrown in front of me because I'm only getting so many chances to climb a tree before I'm going to be planted under one.

So, my friends, go out, make laughter, make love, make memories, make the most of the years you have been here so the ones you have left will be fantastic!