I got out of the car last night as your Mom and I went to see “South Pacific” at the local playhouse and I heard Canadian Geese honking in the overhead. For years I commuted back and forth to Ripon and around this time of the year I would witness the migration of those gray and black birds going south. For some reason, each year I “fixed” the magic date migration began with Sept.19th. It is easy to remember because it coincides with Grasshopper No.1’s birthday.
What is that you say? Yep, Grasshopper No.1 has a birthday on Sunday. It is a milestone because it marks 50 years. All it takes is for a gray goose to remind me. It is hard to believe!
50 years is enough time to grow up, make lots of mistakes, find a vocation, raise a family, and find that special life partner. The best is yet to come. I guess I just described life’s process.
I have chronicled it before but, on the Monday Grasshopper No.1 was born, I was scheduled to begin schooling at Marquette. She cooperated by being born early in the morning and I made my classes in Milwaukee. How do you forget that?
The first half of No.1’s life has been lived. It is now onto pursuing dreams. Dreams are what sustain all of us. May all her dreams come true!
Happy Birthday Grasshopper No.1. You are a reminder of how fast life goes and how precious it really is. Enjoy the day.
Love,
Dad (and Mom)