Today is my birthday. I'm 59 as of today or 29 for the 30th time. One year away from 60. How the heck did I ever get here? I sure don't feel as old as the calendar says I am. Most days I feel somewhere in my 30s. Sadly, I don't look like I'm in my 30s any more but that's OK. I've earned the wrinkles and hair the old fashioned way.
Getting older has been an interesting experience and one I really wouldn't trade for the world. Getting older has given me (us) wonderful family including great sons-in-law and beautiful granddaughters.
This is me at two (much) younger ages. The first is me at about four years old and the second is my high school graduation picture, taken the summer before I turned 17. I kind of see granddaughter Emily in my four year old picture but maybe it's my imagination.
We are back from vacation and have just been recuperating from busy-ness these past five days. We had a great time visiting with Holly, Mike (and Frank their new dog) and working our way through as many Paso Robles wineries as possible last weekend. Awesome.
While we were out there, they reminded us of a conversation they had with Emily last Christmas. I don't recall all the circumstances but the best part is Emily's punchline anyway. I'll try to do it justice.
Emily came into the room and had been crying.
Holly: Oh honey, why are you crying?
Emily came up with something, probably about what Mommy wouldn't let her do or what Lucy was doing.
Holly: Oh, wait, there's a tear here.
Emily, nodding sagely: Yes, there are always tears on my face.
This past Saturday morning we met Erin at the local mall to give the girls back. There's always plenty of hoisting in and out of the van giving last minute kisses and hugs.
Me: Oh Em, I forgot to give you a kiss!
Emily: Oh Grandma, I think you did it wrong. Wanna try again?
Suitably corrected, we smooched again on the lips.
We're leaving tomorrow for a week in California to visit our daughter Holly and her husband Mike and explore the middle areas of the state from San Francisco southward.
I'll get back into posting when we're back. Have a great week!
