
Margie and I went paddling. (She fell in and took my little camera with her. It drowned. I replace it quickly.)
This has been a lovely birthday, full of fun stuff and friends, but let me tell you that Facebook–with those “happy birthdays” from so many people, some of whom I don’t even know–can be a challenge. That’s because I insist on responding to every one (mama said “thank you” notes are next to godliness). In this case, that’s about 300-plus “thank you” notes.
A good portion of the day was spent online in response, trying to make as many of the responses as different as possible. Sometimes just “thank you” is the best I can do, but when I know the person well, it deserves more than that.
Sometimes the FB greetings can be meaningful or touching or both. My old friend and colleague (and a guy I respect immensely as a journalist and a college professor), Bill Kovarik, wrote the following: “Happy birthday to a guy who makes insightful journalism look easy. (Which it is not).” I’ll take that to my grave.
Keeping up with the wishes–spread over a number of different posts, not just one birthday notification–has been the most difficult. I know I’ve missed a few and I feel bad about that possibility. If anybody was missed, let me know.
Anyhow, I got to take Margie kayaking (and she cooked two dinners for me; nobody’s done that since Mom when I was 15), and my dear friend Christine Ward took me to dinner tonight. Christina Koomen, my favorite ex-wife, left me some cashews on the side door basket while I was out. I love cashews. She also left me a very funny card. She does good cards.
Hearing from people dear to me was the most important of all, though. Heard from two brothers and a sister. And, of course, my best girl, Madeline was here until this morning and we got to spend important time.
Thank you all for making this a good one.