Sixty Birthdays

my first one spent in my birthday suit warmed by a receiving blanket after my tunnel chute in my youth, gifts i remember — small camera, parcheesi, Donny Osmond album i’d get to invite over a special friend for the night i’ve had three surprise parties — in Hawaii - friend dropped off early so everyone had to come to the door “Surprise!” My Aunt & Uncle smack in the middle i’d talk eventually! strawberry daiquiris and cake at forty, thought i was braver, handled the screams... but my collegiate son called me on the phone, “i want to come home.” “Why? When.” He yells from downstairs, “How ‘bout now.” i cried a river on his shoulder. you see..we had gotten a call the previous week that he was run over by a truck...turned out to be only his toe, thank the Lord, for that! at fifty, it’s no secret what they’re going to do but this year i know the date and the battle my mom’s going through - she may not be coming i guess it depends on what happens Friday God, so far, has blessed me with sixty birthdays and two parents who have lived this long to tell me my stories and i carry theirs as far as i can, a candle in hand my wish for my family’s health and happiness and yours too! 10/7/2020