This week I turned 56. Like all of my birthdays since I turned 17, I couldn’t care less. Last year, turning 55 was notable because in my head 55 is officially “old man” age (even better, it qualified me for a discounted pool membership).
My next big milestone is 62, when I’m eligible to collect social security. I’m looking forward to that.
When my wife was alive, she always wanted to celebrate my birthday. In the early years, we’d have a date night. In later years, we’d order Mexican takeout and eat in front of the tv with the pets keeping us company.
Early on, she’d buy me gifts like a sweater I needed but would never buy for myself. But as the years went by, I didn’t need or want anything so these petered out.
I was cool with all of that. Low key birthdays suit me fine.
The only thing about my birthday that makes it different than any other day is that it causes me to reflect on the years gone by.
This week, I thought a lot about Snickers and my wife. I thought about Ziggy and Shortie. I thought about exhilarating times I had at work. I thought about troubling times too. I thought about all that we (Ellen and I) had been through over the years.
This reminiscing was poignant. Sometimes it made me smile. Sometimes it made me feel sad.
I did coincidently buy myself a gift that had nothing to do with my birthday. I’m getting a leather Australian Outback hat from Conner Hats. I wanted something a bit dressier than my Tilley Hats. I’m hoping it’ll also be a little warmer so I can wear it during the cooler seasons too.
When I receive it, I’ll add a picture of it to the bottom of this post – especially if I think I look cool in it.
