18 September, 2013
Yesterday was my 43rd birthday. I am older and thankful for it. Julio and I went out for a mountain bike ride up to Relojero and over to Cresta de Gallo. Then we finished up at the Iglesia de la Virgen Fuensanta, which I wrote about yesterday. The most dangerous part of the bike ride was dodging all the spectators as we rode our bikes downhill.
When we arrived at my house, Toñi, Alvaro and Julia were already there along with my family. They decked out the salon with Happy Birthday's and Feliz Cumpleaños. Susan cooked spaghetti, and Toñi cooked something. I can't remember what she called it, but it was a lot of small sausages, rice and some other stuff. It reminded me of dirty rice, and of course it was a Murciano specialty, and of course it was awesome. We also had some more of that morsilla, which is a kind of blood sausage. It is absolutely gross to think about, but the flavor is pretty good. They cook everything but the oink here. Lamb's head is on my list. It keeps looking at me, literally, when I go to Pepi, the butcher's. It is a lamb's head cut in two, lengthwise. You are supposed to eat everything that is not bone, so think about that for a moment. Prince Kamal Khan sucked down an eyeball in Octopussy, as he and Bond discussed Bond's demise and Khan's megalomaniac plans to rule the world. That is where I am headed. (Insert evil laughter)
I imagine my life as if I am climbing a very tall mountain. Every birthday is an opportunity to look back and enjoy the view. So far I am only a third of the way up, and it looks pretty good from here. My goal is to live to be 130 years old, so that I can say I lived in three centuries. Hence the one third comment.
I don't know what this year holds for me, but then I don't really want to know. Knowing what comes next is like seeing how the magician pulls off a trick. It is interesting to see, but then you never want to see that trick again. You are left jaded by the knowledge that it really isn't magic after all. So far my life has been magical, all 43 years. I know the Great Magician has it all worked out for me. I know He is in control, and I am okay with stopping there. I don't need to see how He does it. I am just glad to have a part in the show.
Gracias Julio. I also learned a new way to describe a part of a woman's anatomy when I tried to say Migas.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday. Thanks for clarifying your expiration date at 130 yrs old. I was doing weird math before I got to that sentence. I'm really enjoying your blog. Your football story hit a note with me because I'm always concerned with my boys' atheletic abilities (or inabilities). Trying to be at peace with where their individual strengths and the fact that, just because they don't play in every sport and I am not the PTA mom-of-the-year does not mean they are less than perfect kids or that I'm a less than perfect mom. We all do what we can, with what the good Lord gave us. I admire you and Susan for taking this leap. Even if you 'quit', you will still have done something wonderful. And what's that the wise people say? Something about "It's not getting to the finish line that matters, it's the journey". Unless you're an insurance agent who says "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." But that's a bunch of nonsense. :) Anyway. Your journey is inspiring. Send a warm hello to Susan. Blessings to your family as you swim a few laps in this new pond.
ReplyDeleteBeing a parent is so hard, because we really have no idea what is the right thing to do in any given situation. Sometimes all we can do is give them the crayola box and let them make their own pictures.
DeleteHappy Birthday a couple of days late Mr Askins.
ReplyDelete