Family Roar

Linda Burton posting from Kent, Washington while traveling between Salem, Oregon and Honolulu, Hawaii – We had to stand at the top of the stairs to sing Happy Birthday. The stairs to the family room, that is, so Kramer could see the cake-with-candles and join in. Kramer loves birthdays. One year he gobbled up half the cake before the party; that’s why he’s in the family room today, behind the gate. Tami is taking no chances, though he’ll get a slice, after everyone else is served. Right now, as the candles flicker and the nine of us sing human words, Kramer howls, in his own joyous big-black-dog way. “He’s the best dog there ever was,” Scott affirms. “The best.” We’re gathered here to celebrate; my baby-child is 47 years old today. How great that I arrived in time to party up. Boxes are stacked everywhere for the family’s impending move, but we don’t mind; we use them for table-tops. Finger-licking food; corn on the cob and KFC; the youngest ones are picky eaters still; the oldest gobble up. Tami made Scott’s favorite cake, the German chocolate kind his grandma made when he was ten and went to fish the Gulf of Mexico. And now it’s picture-taking time. Let’s go outside.

We’re all caught up, touched base, and brought each other up to date. Alec is about to graduate, getting his AA; he has his own apartment now; works two jobs, more schooling planned for fall. Jake is about to get his AA too, lives at home and works full time; plans to join the Highway Patrol some day soon. Sam is just finishing 4^th grade; he’ll have a new school for 5^th, after the move north to Bothell, coming up. Sam loves his sports; “I’ll make new friends,” he tells me, “and I’ll play ball there too.” That’s son Scott and Tami’s crew; Brett is the only one missing today. He’s stationed at Ft Huachuca with the Army; Arizona, remember my March visit there? Kids growing up. https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=315

As to son Rick’s crew, they’re growing up too. Matt is working on his AA with plans to study in Japan next year; eventually to teach. Sayonara, Matt! Andrew is finishing his high school sophomore year, is reading letters from colleges all around, and concentrating on his GPA. Kayla is finishing 4^th grade, like Sam. “I want to study French, and learn to play the violin,” she states as her ambition, “as soon as I’m eligible for orchestra.”

Rick has his eye on a retirement place, still years away; Scott is joyful that the move next week means almost no commute to work; Tami is looking forward to a new job at Macy’s (employee discounts, she grins). And through it all, Kramer wags his tail. Dogs don’t think much about tomorrow, or making future plans; they just want the birthday cake! Tami put the once-used birthday candles in a bag for me. Two big fat numbers, the 4 and 7. “Just reverse them,” she said, “for your birthday coming up in April.”

I’m like Kramer; I like birthdays too, and being happy now. Outside, I line the family up, to get their pictures by the car.