With hands trembling from exhaustion after a 11-hour drive, I throw out birthday shouts to three very special people:
- My great aunt Annabelle who turns 80 this weekend. I join my family in North Carolina to celebrate the occasion later today. When my clan gets together, it’s sho’ ’nuff a party and everybody loves Aunt Anna.
- My very own mom, Ms. Zhhamenique Rose. She rode shotgun on the trip, the first we have ever taken together. As few as three years ago, this little adventure would be a mere flight of fancy. We can never recapture the time we have lost, but we can make the most of that we have left.
- My only son Julien, 10 years old as of Memorial Day. Juice, I could slather upon your name any number of superlatives, but I’m just a proud dad and that’s what proud dads do. Rather, I place in your hands the tasks of discovering about yourself what I already know and making your presence felt where ever you go.
To you three, I extend simple, heartfelt birthday greetings and the hope to repeat them next year.