Staying Grounded

My mother sent me an apron for my birthday, because she said "it had my name on it". I've been looking for a tag since yesterday but can't find it and am beginning to think she may have meant it as a figure of speech.

My eldest daughter, acting as a benign teacher, corrected my written French.

My youngest daughter claimed that I didn't look any different than I did in my wedding photograph taken twenty three years ago.

My bride gave me a Pink Floyd album as a present, on vinyl, a medium which anno domini 2015 is as vibrant as the recipient of this fine gift.

My friends and family from around the world sent their wishes via FB and encouraged me to not just make it through the next fifty years but to make them interesting.

My wife (same person as bride, see above) drew a post retirement picture of us showing her lying on a bench, reading a book in Goa and me frantically running, with a few remaining strands of grey hair blowing in the wind.

With wishes, gifts and projections such as these it's easy to feel loved while staying grounded.