Today is my birthday. I have nothing special planned. The spouse bought me a chocolate cake with birthday greetings written in red frosting. It is a well known fact that calories consumed on one’s birthday do not count, so I’ve indulged several times today. We usually don’t buy gifts for each other, mostly because there isn’t really anything that either of us want or need. I do reserve the right to buy myself something guilt-free, but so far I haven’t developed the urge for another bauble or techno toy.
The granddaughters called and sang “Happy birthday to you, cha cha cha.” My son-in-law told me the song was accompanied by a complex dance routine.
When my children were small some of their favorite stories were about the days that each of them were born. This evening, after the birthday cha cha cha song, I talked with my daughter and told her that Grandpa Joe had recounted the story of the day I was born. She told me that she didn’t remember ever hearing the story. I told her she could read it in the blog. I think now I’ll have to write and post the stories for each of my children and grandchildren on their birthdays. Whew! That will give me material for at least four postings in the coming year.
My father (Grandpa Joe) called to wish me a happy birthday and, of course, declared that he remembered the day I was born. It’s a story I recall being told numerous times throughout my childhood. I was born in England, in Harrow, my parent’s first child. As was the custom of the time, my mother was attended by a midwife and I was born at home. The midwife had been on holiday and my mother was relieved that she was back on duty when she called her to come to the house late in the day on October 23. My father, anxious to be of assistance, was pleased to be assigned the important task of boiling water. Not sure how much water would be needed, this was after all the birth of his first child, he set numerous kettles to boil on the stove. He was quite proud to be trusted with this vital task. Once his pots were boiling he went upstairs to find out what to do with all the boiling water. He was quite surprised to discover that he was boiling water so the midwife could have a cuppa tea!
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