One of my primary holidays is this Sunday…my birthday. I have always enjoyed my birthday…and I do not try to hide it. I am humbled and grateful that in the Pie of Life…I have enjoyed a sweet slice. I am also pleased to be about to reach another year…in the Golden Years. My father died when he was 60. Life almost always looks bright to me…and if shadows obscure the landscape…I open more drapes and blinds and shutters and shades…to let additional sunshine in. Life is a gift and outlook is everything in the application of having an enjoyable ride on the rollercoaster of human activity.

When I was working I learned, after many years, to take my birthday off. It seemed that no matter the year…something bad or unexpected would occur on my special day. Many management problems leak over into your off hours and can cast a cloud over a celebration. MJ used to tell anyone who would listen that I had 4 or 5 birthday dinners. There was an annual dinner with friends…a dinner with mom and my step-father…and 1 or 2 with the 4 of us. This year there will be 2.

St. Louis, Missouri has been our go-to city for my birthday celebration for many years. This year there will be the traditional movie at Plaza Frontenac prior to dinner at Bartolino’s Osteria on The Hill. Bartolinos will be a new event for us as my birthday dinner is almost exclusively a Cunetto’s House of Pasta. It never hurts to try something new.

Birthdays are a wonderful time of reflection for me. Plaza Frontenac has a calming influence on me…as well as the Landmark Cinema that is in the mall. I have wiled away many hours waiting for MJ as she shopped and I sat by the Grand Piano and listened to it being expertly played. We have spent so many enjoyable times in St. Louis that it is our city. It is relatively easy to drive in and many enjoyable venues including the St. Louis Art Museum.

Steve and I are born on the same day. I received a card from him yesterday…and it made my day. He and Faye and MJ and I have enjoyed many good times together.

I was never a member of he Hippie movement…but I have wonderful friends who were former hippies. Jack Weinberg, ‘who is best known for his role in the Free Speech Movement at the University of California, Berkeley in 1964,’ said, ‘Don’t trust anyone over 30.’ That becomes increasingly more difficult to do…when you are nearly 64…

‘When I get older losing my hair Many years from now. Will you still be sending me a Valentine? Birthday greetings, bottle of wine.

If I’d been out till quarter to three. Would you lock the door? Will you still need me, will your still feed me. When I’m sixty-four?

You’ll be older too. And if you say the word. I could stay with you.

I could be handy mending a fuse. When your lights have gone. You can knit a sweater by the fireside. Sunday mornings go for a ride. Doing the garden, digging the weeds. Who could ask for more.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four.

Every summer we can rent a cottage In the Isle of Wight, it it’s not too dear. We shall scrimp and save. Grandchildren on your knee, Vera, Chuck and Dave.

Send me a postcard, drop me a line Stating point of view. Indicate precisely what you mean to say. Yours sincerely wasting away.

Give me your answer, fill in a form. Mine for evermore. Will you still need me, will you still feed me.

When I’m sixty-four.’

The Beatles