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. » read more