Current Happenings in my Life
Current Happenings 2000 | April 16

April 16, 2000 Past Issues: Feb 20, Jan 19, Jan 6.

My Birthday!

April 16 was my birthday. I turned 29. I share my birthday with Ray Chandler, Debbie Roudenko, Kyle Mendenhall, Gary Myers, and Jeff Van Egdom. Ray and I usually plan a big dinner and go out to eat. This year, we went to Hometown Buffet in La Habra. We met after church, then went to the restaurant where we met over 20 people. The restaurant was a little crowded, so we ended up sitting at two tables, but it was still fun.

Later that evening, I had birthday cake with Jeff. He turned 21.

Ray turned 96. He passed out copies of this little poem to a bunch of people that week.

I have good news for you! The first 96 years are the hardest! The second 96 are a succession of birthday parties!

Once you reach 96, everyone wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps. If you forget your name or anybody else's name, or an appointment, or your own telephone number, or promise to be three places at the same time, or can't remember how many grandchildren you have, you need only explain that you are 96.

Being 96 is a lot better than being 86, people are mad at you for everything. At 96, you have a perfect excuse, no matter what you do. If you act foolishly, it's your second childhood. Everybody is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain.

Being 86 is no fun at all. At that age, they expect you to retire to Florida and complain about your arthritis - and you ask everyobody to stop mumbling because you can't understand them. (Actually your hearing is about 50% gone.)

If you survive until you are 96, everybody is surprised that you are still alive! They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. Actually, they seem surprised that you can walk and talk sensibly.

So, please, folks, try to make it to 96! It's the best time of life!

People forgive you for anything. If you ask me, life begins at 96!

(Ray Chandler, BIOLA 6964)

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Created and maintained by Matthew Weathers. Last updated Apr 20, 2006.