The big 6-0. I guess you could call it a milestone of sorts. Every time I have a birthday, it’s just another day for the most part. Since my birthday is a day before a major holiday, I quickly got used to the fact that I couldn’t have a birthday party like most kids. My parents tried a couple of times, but it always ended up being less than well attended due to other families wanting to spend the impending holiday together. So honestly, even though I personally didn’t understand appreciate the less than stellar attendance, it very much mattered that a month later when my brother’s birthday arrived, he would get the traditional big party with his friends from school.
Even so, my parents managed to come up with a decent workaround. My Dad’s sister, who was 11 years older than he; lived in Sullivan County with her husband and next door to her brother-in-law. Between the two families, they had about 100 acres of land, and most of it was wooded. The two brothers were always up to something, and they enjoyed having their nephews and family visit for the July 4th holiday, which not only coincided with my birthday, it just so happened to coincide with my paternal grandmother’s as well, who was born on July 4. So, we would cross the Hudson River at Rhinecliff, drive down to our grandparent’s house, collect Grandma & Grandpa and then drive over Storm King to Sullivan County, in the old Borscht Belt, past the Jewish enclaves (which still existed back then) and arrive sometime in the early afternoon. Sometimes the cousins from Schenectady would be there, sometimes they wouldn’t but generally there would be a picnic, an outing to what the brothers were up to (they owned a contracting business and me being a kid, absolutely loved bulldozers and they had FIVE!) and soon after swimming in the pond they made for themselves on the property. Seeing as it was about a 90-minute drive home we would leave probably around 8:30 to 9 pm and be back home by 10 or 11. But it was a great time, and a great birthday.
Speed ahead about 20-30 years and I’m mostly left to my own devices when it comes to celebrating the day (or not). Again, since it’s around a major holiday, I can’t necessarily have the day off because of work, so I generally celebrate on the downlow. When I was working at the bakery, I’d make my own cake, decorate it myself, buy it and bring it home. I’ve been a chocoholic for many, many years so my cake would usually be at least 2 layers, chocolate with chocolate icing, and it would be great. In the past few years however, I’ve scaled back on what I’d bring home, since a whole cake is a bit much to consume, both from a sugary stance as well as it’s not going to last as long as I’d need it to, and freezing it would take up space in the freezer that could be used by other more necessary things. Consequently, I’d either bring home cupcakes or maybe even just half or a quarter cake. 2 slices might be sufficient to celebrate with.
Insofar as presents, I’m a nightmare to shop for, and I always have been. Seeing as I’m an adult now, I usually buy whatever I need/want, and leaving a list for someone else is a difficult task. In the past few years I’ve suggested anyone wishing to get me a present just send me a gift card and I’ll get something I want/need from that. Gift cards don’t expire, and it’s easier for them, and me. Granted the cachet of surprise is lost, but on the other hand it makes sense to me that someone doesn’t necessarily have to shop and guess what I might desire. Even my wife has figured this out, and an Amazon gift card fits the bill so very easily. She has said she doesn’t really get it, she’d like to surprise me, (which I appreciate of course!) but is ok with agreeing with my wishes.
Yes, I know this post hasn’t been a lot about me turning 60, but then again there’s really not much to it. It’s just a number. Sure, I have a few more aches and pains, I’ve started to notice crow’s feet cropping up at the corners of my eyes; my skin isn’t quite as elastic as it used to be 10-20 years ago, and it’s not as easy to do a good many things as it has been in years past. And I’ve started to compare myself now to what my parents were doing when they reached this age. My adoptive mother died at 61, Dad lived to 71 (though I’m convinced he would have lived even longer if he hadn’t had Alzheimers) but both of my birth parents are still living. So, I’m fairly confident that information should have an effect on my own lifespan, at least the math is there.
Happy almost Birthday to me, I guess. We’ll see what 60 brings. It’s been an interesting ride so far. For those keeping score, the actual day is Jul 3.