June 25, 2019

     It is my birthday. We really celebrated it on the 23rd. We were in Washington DC for the christening of our youngest grandchild. We celebrated four birthdays on three cakes. My in-law Yervant and I share a birthday: the 25th. The 25th was also the birthday of my father in-law who passed away in 2010. My oldest grandson is the next day, June 26, and my only granddaughter is the day after that. It is a wonderful cluster of birthdays. We were kind of hoping for all of us to share one birthday. But, it is better that each of the little ones has their own birthday. We can celebrate together, and the grandkids can still have their own day where we can celebrate them separately. I like it.
     So, what did I do for my birthday? The only thing on my schedule was to address the incoming class of transfer students to North Park. I welcomed them to North Park and spoke to them about the merits of meeting with their faculty advisor to ensure they plan their schedules and graduate on-time. I passed out an OpEd piece How to Get the Most Out of College by Frank Bruni in the August 17, 2018 New York Times. It is a very good piece that provides excellent advice to undergraduates. All in all, I enjoyed motivating these new students.
     Other than that, I talked to family and friends online and by phone both audio and video. The highlight, by far, were the two face time calls with my grandchildren. Hearing them sing happy birthday from DC and LA was the best. I got messages from around the corner and heard from friends around the world. There were phone calls, messages, and posts on Facebook. I tried to thank each individually on Facebook but quickly got hopelessly behind. Thankfully, I have this blog with which to thank everyone en masse. It is really heartwarming to have so many people reaching out with birthday greetings and well wishes.
     I began this blog in 2004 as an e-letter. My friend, Marilyn Zavidow, named it This Side of Fifty. Well, I am certainly well on this side of fifty. But, it is good. I am enjoying my family and have pure joy watching the grandchildren grow. I am also enjoying my encore career as a college professor. It is the best retirement pastime or hobby for me.
     This is not a birthday that ends in a five or a zero. It is an in-between birthday. But, it is a birthday that has me resolved to pay much more attention to my health and well-being than ever before. Sure, I know. I have said this a countless number of times. This time seems different. Actually, this time has to be different. I want to operate at peak performance and independently as long as I possibly can. This commitment to personal health and well-being was certainly a lesson my father, his brother, and their father and uncle advocated and exemplified in their daily life. I truly have to start being a Gavoor man.  Hopefully more on this in the coming year.
     Thanks again for all the greeting and well-wishes. I feel truly blessed.