Two nice and unexpected birthday presents
Since most people over 40 don’t look forward to getting older, you’d think that birthdays would get less fun with time. I’m finding that’s just not the case. Last year was the best one ever — which is saying a lot. And even though I specifically decided not to have any kind of special celebration, this year has already been great.
First of all, birthday wishes have been coming in from all over the world. It always touches me how many people remember since I often don’t remember until the last minute myself. Plus, I got what I really wanted. Last March, Keiko was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 2-3 months to live if her meds worked. I was never given the slightest hope that she’d be around this year. The cancer has definitely gotten much worse, and I often sleep with her on the floor by the back door because she has to constantly go out. However, she’s well enough to enjoy eating steak with me tonight, and that’s better than I would have dared hope for.
In addition, I got a nice and unexpected present on my way into work today. When I had a few miles left to go on my way into work and stopped for a light, a college kid who was obviously a cyclist (based on his build, clothing, etc) pulled up behind me on a decent racing bike. I shifted over and told him he might want to go ahead since he was probably faster and I didn’t want to hold him up.
He replied “I don’t know about that — kind of breezy today” (riding conditions were 39F, 10mph headwind, and light rain) and stayed where he was. He shadowed me the rest of the way in. We weren’t racing, but we did maintain a brisk pace. I’m not pretending I “beat” anyone, but the birthday gift to me was having a cruising pace that’s good enough to satisfy an in shape cyclist who’s half my age.
It’s been a good year.