10 March 2009
Well, by the date on this, one thing is clear: I’m forty now.
Forty. 40. The big 4-0.
As Sebas told me the other day after thinking about it for a moment, “Dada, that’s a really old number.”
Thanks, pal…
Of course, he had thought I was going to be 5. Yep, five. Well, he had just turned 4, and he knew my birthday was coming up next, and, obviously, I’m older than him.
So must have been turning 5. But when I told him, no, 40 – well…
And so it is. But its been great so far. I’d say I don’t feel a day older than 18, and, really, it’d be true. I don’t. Never have. Still do just about everything I did then. Probably, weirdly, in better shape now. Definitely run faster…
And I’m very, very, very thankful for that.
Actually, and of course, have a lot to be thankful for.
Pretty much starts and stops with the 3 magical creatures I live with. But also family, and some really good, longstanding friends.
That was on display over the weekend. Lorena (again!), with her amiga Rosann, pulled off a really great surprise party over at John and Rosann’s place. Was supposed to be the famous “80s party” we had always heard about. But turns out was my party. With 80s regalia (Run DMC shirt for me, Lorena smashing in a true blue 80s outfit, complete with shiny zipper and fish net gloves. Evidently, she’s always wanted to dress up like that. Hmmm…).
Door opens, and there is standing Kousik, Mrugesh and Neena (and cute 3 y.o.), Dennis, all my family, Heidi and Meg and husbands from BIPAI, Dave and Christine Mora.
Wow. Shocking, when you don’t expect to see something like that.
But what fun. All the BIPAI folks ended up coming. Even Edith. And Mom got to meet her as well as one of her idols – Mark. Really nice for everyone to come.
And really great catching up with everyone we hadn’t seen in awhile. Just had a rip, roaring blast. One of those nights you wish would never end.
Roaming around the neighborhood at 3AM with Dennis looking for Camy’s car…
Oh yeah, that’s another story. When I get over the $200 its cost us (so far), maybe I’ll write about it (or just ask John)…
The next AM it was minus an hour for the (darn) time change. Then on to Seba’s zoo party. Tough. But also great. Fantastic, gentle party, with all the nicest kids from his school. Who needs blank-ing pump it up. Give me the zoo…
Nice Sunday with all the family, last night with James and Julie, John and Rosann. With just coming off of major jet lag after a month in Africa, we’re pretty tired (plus GI bug for Lorena, Oscar and me…). But so much fun.
Then, this morning, my actual birthday.
Have been thinking a lot about my 30th. Was the perfect birthday. Was in Honduras on a mission trip. Woke up in the Garifuna area, worked all day in Santa Fe. Nobody even knew it was my birthday, much less my 30th. No family or friends could call me and razz me.
The work I loved in a place I loved.
It was perfect.
Today. Houston. Just another day, getting ready to go to work.
Hmmm… Was this how I had imagined my 40th?
Actually, had been planning for awhile to have all of us go off somewhere exotic, celebrate it in style, way out there in the world somewhere. Like Lorena’s 30th, when we were in Thessaloniki (awesome – one of the greatest dinners and post-dinner walks of all time…).
But then, no, up came the chance to do the Africa month, so sort of traded that for having my 40th here in Houston.
Oh well, but was a good trade. Last month was incredibly special.
Well, by the date on this, one thing is clear: I’m forty now.
Forty. 40. The big 4-0.
As Sebas told me the other day after thinking about it for a moment, “Dada, that’s a really old number.”
Thanks, pal…
Of course, he had thought I was going to be 5. Yep, five. Well, he had just turned 4, and he knew my birthday was coming up next, and, obviously, I’m older than him.
So must have been turning 5. But when I told him, no, 40 – well…
And so it is. But its been great so far. I’d say I don’t feel a day older than 18, and, really, it’d be true. I don’t. Never have. Still do just about everything I did then. Probably, weirdly, in better shape now. Definitely run faster…
And I’m very, very, very thankful for that.
Actually, and of course, have a lot to be thankful for.
Pretty much starts and stops with the 3 magical creatures I live with. But also family, and some really good, longstanding friends.
That was on display over the weekend. Lorena (again!), with her amiga Rosann, pulled off a really great surprise party over at John and Rosann’s place. Was supposed to be the famous “80s party” we had always heard about. But turns out was my party. With 80s regalia (Run DMC shirt for me, Lorena smashing in a true blue 80s outfit, complete with shiny zipper and fish net gloves. Evidently, she’s always wanted to dress up like that. Hmmm…).
Door opens, and there is standing Kousik, Mrugesh and Neena (and cute 3 y.o.), Dennis, all my family, Heidi and Meg and husbands from BIPAI, Dave and Christine Mora.
Wow. Shocking, when you don’t expect to see something like that.
But what fun. All the BIPAI folks ended up coming. Even Edith. And Mom got to meet her as well as one of her idols – Mark. Really nice for everyone to come.
And really great catching up with everyone we hadn’t seen in awhile. Just had a rip, roaring blast. One of those nights you wish would never end.
Roaming around the neighborhood at 3AM with Dennis looking for Camy’s car…
Oh yeah, that’s another story. When I get over the $200 its cost us (so far), maybe I’ll write about it (or just ask John)…
The next AM it was minus an hour for the (darn) time change. Then on to Seba’s zoo party. Tough. But also great. Fantastic, gentle party, with all the nicest kids from his school. Who needs blank-ing pump it up. Give me the zoo…
Nice Sunday with all the family, last night with James and Julie, John and Rosann. With just coming off of major jet lag after a month in Africa, we’re pretty tired (plus GI bug for Lorena, Oscar and me…). But so much fun.
Then, this morning, my actual birthday.
Have been thinking a lot about my 30th. Was the perfect birthday. Was in Honduras on a mission trip. Woke up in the Garifuna area, worked all day in Santa Fe. Nobody even knew it was my birthday, much less my 30th. No family or friends could call me and razz me.
The work I loved in a place I loved.
It was perfect.
Today. Houston. Just another day, getting ready to go to work.
Hmmm… Was this how I had imagined my 40th?
Actually, had been planning for awhile to have all of us go off somewhere exotic, celebrate it in style, way out there in the world somewhere. Like Lorena’s 30th, when we were in Thessaloniki (awesome – one of the greatest dinners and post-dinner walks of all time…).
But then, no, up came the chance to do the Africa month, so sort of traded that for having my 40th here in Houston.
Oh well, but was a good trade. Last month was incredibly special.
So - ho hum - the long-anticipated 40th in Houston...
But then the surprise party.
But then the surprise party.
Phenomenal.
And the nice weekend.
Really great.
Good night with the brothers last night.
Good night with the brothers last night.
Hmmm. Pretty great.
This morning: brushing my teeth, just about to run out the door to work.
Same as always…
But then I hear the little feet coming up the stairs.
Odd, Sebas never does that in the morning. He’s downstairs with Mommies, getting ready.
I hear him get to the top stair.
Then start singing:
“Happy birthday to you.”
“Happy birthday to you.”
“Happy birthday, Dear Dada. Happy birthday to you.”
This morning: brushing my teeth, just about to run out the door to work.
Same as always…
But then I hear the little feet coming up the stairs.
Odd, Sebas never does that in the morning. He’s downstairs with Mommies, getting ready.
I hear him get to the top stair.
Then start singing:
“Happy birthday to you.”
“Happy birthday to you.”
“Happy birthday, Dear Dada. Happy birthday to you.”
Tonight, it will just be the four of us. Get off a little early from work. Pick-up Sebas. Get Lorena for her work-out. Sebas and Oscar and I hanging out at Rice. Maybe a little coffee shop afterwards. Store run. Make up some fajitas. Turn in early and get some rest.
And to think, I thought I already knew what a perfect birthday was…
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