Yup, that's right, another year has rolled on by and I am another year older. I refer you, respectfully, to my Today in History edition of last year of this same date, to see what cool things happened and who was born or died on First November.

I have been up since three o'clock this morning. Couldn't sleep for some reason, not really sure why. So I thought I might come down and reflect a little on the year past. I had some big changes and there are more on the horizon. I'd like to review: bought and sold a house; moved to Connecticut; seriously pondered career changes and began the inevitably slow process of effectuating same; watched my much beloved grandfather go from hale and hearty to a bare shell of the once robust and wonderful man he was for all my life; began interacting with my son as he began to talk; had the joy (mixed with terror) of hearing my wife tell me that she was pregnant; was put on the board of an old and august institution; made a couple of new friends; began to exercise every business day; perfected a recipe for black beans that is so good that if you tasted it you'd go home and punch your mama in da mouth (and it is vegetarian, Helen!); went to London all by my lonesome and met Helen; had dinner with Simon; and, through many acts of grace, small and large, had my faith in the essential goodness of man re-affirmed. Oh yeah, I should also add that this was another year in which I learned that the love I had for my wife and children the year before was shallow and insignificant compared with the love I feel for them now.

I don't have any idea, really, what the next year of life may bring for me and for those lives I necessarily touch, and I can't really forecast anything, but just the same, I hope it is a year of growth. I hope it is a year of plenty, in the sense that our little family will grow by one more and that one more, I hope, will be healthy. I hope it is a year of continued good health. I hope it is a year of, if not reasonably good fortune, at least not bad fortune.

There is something deliciously self-indulgent about making yourself a pot of coffee at three o'clock in the morning. I'm going to go back and enjoy it now. As we are now without nanny, as you may have noticed from the post from yesterday, I am going to spend the evening at home. Yes, there will be a good bottle of wine involved but no, it will not be a quiet evening out. Still, sounds like it might be just fine.

Posted by: Random Penseur at 03:56 AM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
Post contains 482 words, total size 3 kb.

1 "I should also add that this was another year in which I learned that the love I had for my wife and children the year before was shallow and insignificant compared with the love I feel for them now." Brought a tear to my eye. Lovely.

Posted by: Mia at November 01, 2005 06:26 AM (1xMuf)

2 happy birthday rp!

Posted by: sn at November 01, 2005 08:50 AM (cHOGW)

3 Happy Birthday,RP. Enjoy your day.

Posted by: Jocelyn at November 01, 2005 10:40 AM (jkRb/)

4 Happy birthday! My youngest shares today with you as her birthday.

Posted by: Jordana at November 01, 2005 11:00 AM (jZLsU)

5 Happy Birthday RP!! Wishing you happiness today and all days. Hugz!

Posted by: Wicked H at November 01, 2005 11:29 AM (iqFar)

6 Have a great birthday. Even if you can't celebrate the way you planned, enjoy it.

Posted by: owlish at November 01, 2005 11:44 AM (rzugH)

7 Aha! A fellow Scorpio! I knew there was a reason why we got along so well! Happy Birthday, RP!

Posted by: Kathy at November 01, 2005 12:37 PM (kZ6IS)

8 I'll be sure to raise a glass in your honor tonight. Happy Birthyday RP!!!

Posted by: phin at November 01, 2005 12:47 PM (Xvpen)

9 Happy birthday, RP! You share a birthdate with my second son.

Posted by: JohnL at November 01, 2005 05:13 PM (YVul2)

10 Just raised a glass to ya, RP! Well... a can, actually. Happy birthday!!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at November 01, 2005 07:05 PM (ScR/I)

11 Well, Happy Happy Birthday, my friend. Many happy returns of the day! A toast to your health, happiness, and life of continued riches! Cheers! ; )

Posted by: Christina at November 01, 2005 09:00 PM (zJsUT)

12 Many happy returns, mate.

Posted by: Simon at November 02, 2005 01:53 AM (UKqGy)

13 May the year ahead bring everything you wish for and then some. Happy Birthday, RP.

Posted by: Jennifer at November 02, 2005 06:31 AM (y4DOI)

14 Hope you had a wonderful Birthday! Here's to a good year ahead. You know, I love being up early in the morning, but since I also love to sleep in that doesn't happen very often. Still, there is something about the quiet at 3 a.m. Best of luck with the nanny search.

Posted by: Turtleherder at November 02, 2005 10:56 AM (aot1k)

15 Your life is a rich feast. Happy birthday!

Posted by: Amy at November 02, 2005 10:59 AM (nUCsP)

16 Your description of the year past calls to mind Kipling: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it... Many happy returns, RP, and heartiest belated congratulations on your latest good news re #3.

Posted by: MCNS at November 02, 2005 12:31 PM (pbCqD)

17 Belated happy birthday! So, ah, any chance you'll share that black bean recipe? (Not that I'm looking to punch my mama in da mouth.)

Posted by: nic at November 02, 2005 04:06 PM (l+W8Z)

18 Hey! I left a Happy Birthday message here yesterday! But now I don't see it...I think I opened up your next comment box too quickly, RP and it got erased. So here it is again: HAPPY BIRTDHAY! Belated. Still works, though. And I loved what you said about the love for your family. Yes, it keeps growing, doesn't it? Amazing!

Posted by: Amber at November 02, 2005 06:42 PM (zQE5D)

19 Happy birthday and many happy returns. I always wondered about that "happy returns" thing. I mean, it's nice to wish money on somebody but should you really bring up taxes when wishing somebody well?

Posted by: Jim at November 03, 2005 03:51 PM (tyQ8y)

Hide Comments | Add Comment