Yesterday, November 16, was my birthday. 62. I was born on a Friday and yesterday was a Friday. It was the first time I remember snow on the ground on my birthday. Funny, I recall birthday when it was really cold- like yesterday- yet others that were mild, bordering on Indian Summer. Always about a week before Thanksgiving, the weather can be unpredictable around my birthday.
Maybe my favorite birthday was in 2003 when I turned 47. I attended my first Eagles game on my birthday. November 16, 2003, and the birds were playing the hated New York Giants at home. A perfect storm. Plus it was close to 70 degrees that afternoon, a really nice late Autumn afternoon. The Eagles won, 28-10. First time ever attending an Eagles game, first time at new Lincoln Financial Field.
My Mom always allowed us to pick anything we wanted for dinner on our birthdays. I always had spaghetti, the long kind, with meatballs or chicken and salad. My favorite meal.I can't think of a birthday when I didn't have spaghetti, as a kid and beyond.
I was named for the saints on the Catholic calender. That was Mom's idea.Only one problem: November 16 was St. Gertrude's feast day. Since i turned out to be a guy, she took the saint on November 17- St. Gregory the Great. Hence my name. One day later and I may have been a Gertrude.
To me, birthday songs have always been pretty limited to the standard "Happy Birthday To You." I was surprised when my personal assistant played a birthday play list on request. Here are my favorite birthday songs:
1. Birthday- The Beatles
2. Happy Birthday To Ya- Stevie Wonder
3. Birthday- Katie Perry
4. Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen- Neil Sedaka
6. Happy, Happy Birthday Baby- Ronnie Milsap.
Like a good Christmas song a songwriter could be set for life writing a really good birthday song, which may be playing daily, as well as annually, to celebrate.
My birthday when I turned 60 two years ago was special, as my girlfriend Holly pulled a surprise party ( I never had one before). We had 19 guests- a nice mix of family and friends- sharing a great birthday dinner at La Traviota restaurant in Phoenixville. Really hard to keep it a surprise and it almost worked until a family member accidentally spilled the beans the day before. Still, I acted surprised, as a party is as much for the people who attend and who worked hard to plan and set up the event as it is for the honoree.
My Mom always had my birthdays special. Even in a nursing home at the end she never forgot my birthday. Even though she is gone I think of her lovingly with every birthday that passes, and for birthdays to come.
Great memories! You are right, I almost surprised you two years ago.
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