My birthday started off with a great visit from my daughter and wife.
5 hours of hearing all that is new in their world.
It was awesome.
I always start each visit with “Ahh, let me take you both in!”, as I literally just like to stare at my beautiful wife and daughter!
Next, I read my cards sitting on a bench under a tree near the tennis court. It’s kinda my bench.
Each card was absolutely perfect and made me feel like a million bucks.
Thank you to all of my amazing family members who sent me cards.
I just love you all so much.
Next, a softball game was called and I didn’t know about it, but fell to peer pressure and played.
Even though my team lost, I considered the game a birthday highlight.
One of the new campers who arrived last week can really hit the ball. He smoked a few at bats deep to left for doubles.
This one at bat, he cracked one to my right and I leaped like 6 inches off the ground and snatched the ball out of thin air which seemed to be at least 7 feet in the air. It was a Jeter like catch performed in the air like Michael Jordan. It was the third out in the inning, so everyone congratulated me even from both teams. This was the second game I’ve caught the line drive the same way. Some people remembered the first catch being eerily similar. I am definitely not your average 60 year old.
Next, after a shower and dinner, my fellow teammate made me a personal cheesecake for my birthday. My friend sliced it up for me and I handed it out to a lot of my dear camper friends. Everyone was shocked when I told them it was my 60th birthday. Everyone said you definitely don’t look it or act it. The cake was absolutely delicious. I felt special today knowing my friend who made the cake asked for nothing in return. I could tell by being teammates (him shortstop and me second base), that we like and respect each other. Since he doesn’t speak English, he motioned to me when I asked if he would make me a cheesecake for my birthday, saying “I got you” and motioned a fist to his heart and chest as if to say, “I like you. Let me do this for you!”
Overall, this was a very special and one of a kind birthday celebration. As my daughter says, I have more friends today than I’ve ever had, which is true. Although I won’t have these men around me when I leave, I will have picked up some new people skills, learned to be more spiritual (with Hashem’s help), learned to appreciate reading books of all kinds (I think 9 so far in less than 4 months), lost 8 pounds playing softball and tennis, going to the gym and walking a lot, and have learned to appreciate my Jewish faith.
Additionally, I have learned to appreciate the small things! Small things like eating with a real fork and knife or tableware, or talking on the phone with my loved ones for more than 15 minutes at a time, or having access to really good food, or having unlimited time with my beautiful and supportive family.
Thank you all who reached out for my birthday.
I thought of my Mom with every fork full of cheesecake!
Sending love to my twin brother. Hope you had a wonderful birthday with the family!
