esrosedotblog

TIME MARCHES ON

I am not all that upset about my own age or aging.

I don't think about it much.

In fact, I am a bit proud of my age and, while I do not flaunt it, I do manage to bring up the fact that I "will be" 73 as often as I can.

That is like a setup for the other person to say that I don't look it. Which I do not.

But I was sobered yesterday by the fact that my eldest son hit the half century mark. 50 years old.

The number is somehow more awe inspiring than my own age. Can I say that it only seems like "yesterday" that he was born?

No, I really can't. Maybe the day before yesterday.

He is an army brat. He was born while I was serving my 6 months active duty after ROTC and so he is/was GI all the way. Government issue.

The care was very good because, at the time, there were a whole bunch of MD's doing the same thing I was. Serving truncated military service in exchange for longer reserve commitments.

The maternity ward was in a barracks type building. The delivery room had a window.

In those days (there I said it--"in those days"), the dads weren't allowed anywhere near the delivery room but I was about ten feet away looking in. The window was high but I could get good glimpses of the action.

I had to hurry back to the waiting room when I saw him (and I knew he was a "him") born because I knew they would be looking for me to announce the birth.

It was a summer in Petersburg VA, a hothouse, humid beyond belief.

We had no AC but I did buy one of those air cooler things that dribbled water down a bed of wood excelsior. (remember excelsior?)

It wasn't until I got here that I found that those things only really work when the humidity is way low. Anyway, it was a fan.

He was a birthday present for more than himself. Today would be his mom's birthday.

It was a great time and I would never do anything like it ever again, thank the gods.

So that is how it was fifty years ago when my first son was born. Quite a stirring event.

What is better yet? He turned out to be a really good guy.

Labels: birthdays