Yesterday, I posted Some Birthday Reflections on How Reading & Writing Saved my Life
Following that I head out, last night, to an Italian restaurant in Miami, to meet up with old friends and celebrate... Life. The food was memorably good: grilled octopus 🐙 & ravioli stuffed with blue cheese and pear 🍐 Mmhmm
Wining, dining and having profound conversations with a poet friend, I felt like I'd already celebrated my birthday.
But, this morning, when my wife suggested we go to the beach and meet with a friend, I was game for an easy, laid-back day.
Both our friend and my wife were not up for a swim.
Glancing at the dark clouds up in the sky & hearing rolling thunder, I knew I had to seize the moment & took a restorative plunge into the ocean, moments in.
Sure enough, as soon as I got out, it started raining & we quickly dismantled umbrella & chairs, running for cover.
After a big lunch at our friend’s place, my intention was to go for a bike ride, but when I came back from taking out the trash, this little surprise awaited…
When another friend passed by, we shared our cake with him, then I got out to take my bike ride in an attempt to undo the effects of overeating—before it started to rain, again.
All in all a sweet, quiet day of gratitude --nature, good company, exercise-- made more exciting by hundreds of lovely birthday wishes from online friends & heartwarming calls from my family & inner circle.
And, just like that, I’m 48 years old!
In closing, these cheery words from celebrated children’s author, Shel Silverstein, who I share a birthday with:
If you are a dreamer come in
If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar
A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer
If youre a pretender com sit by my fire
For we have some flax golden tales to spin
Come in!
Come in!
