Monday, June 15, 2009

A sibling's Medicare birthday party



They make these candles with the elderly in mind. Only two required on the birthday cake.

Not a bad idea when you turn Medicare age, as my brother Mike did yesterday.

By the way, the holder of the candles will do the same in 11 days.

Anyway, a bunch of us gathered at the Thompson cabin for the party.

I made it there late because I attended yet another memorial service---second one this week. This was for everyone's friend Carole who missed making her 60th birthday by two days, due to lung cancer. Carole of Keokee, as many of us call her, had a good party with attendees filling the Oden Grange Hall.

After leaving early, I thought about how birthday parties for people our age are becoming more and more meaningful, as we count our blessings every time we lose another friend.

My brother's party was fun. We enjoyed hotdogs and sandwiches and cake. We really relished laughing at each other when the blue dye in the cake frosting attached itself to our teeth and tongues. The blue tongue bunch did some downright giggling, to say the least.

I should have taken photos, but---once in a while I have restraint.

The party was about my brother and his family and his cards and presents. We even let him get away with a few Obama cracks about the wind disappearing and how people will be breaking wind for eons to come.

It was his day, and he could say anything he wanted, even about Obama!

Speaking of wind, my brother did have enough left in him to blow out those two candles. So I guess he's doing okay for an old codger!

And, I guess we'll all catch up with him one of these days.

1 comment:

Sharon said...

I think birthdays do have a more special meaning after 65. One becomes more reflective, and more aware of the value of family and friends, as one passes additional "yearmarks". As our health declines, we appreciate our past, when health problems and medications were not much thought about. We wonder how long our health will last? We worry about the big issues, and don't sweat the small things much anymore. Aging has it pros and cons, but a better perspective on what's important in life has to be one of the greatest gifts of growing old.