The Beatles managed to cushion the sting of getting old by creating songs like “When I’m Sixty-Four.” But, what happens after that? Sixty-Five is still a milestone even though 66 is now the official retirement age. My wife’s 65th happens to come at a time when Bucket Lists tend to be on hold. In the past year, our trips to Bali, Egypt, Hawaii, Norway, and Russia have all been cancelled. So, what do you do to celebrate in these troubled times? You rely on family, so this is what this year’s birthday poem is all about, hidden inside another Limoges box gift. We’ll travel back to Portland via San Francisco and officially celebrate at the ballpark. My wife is not a baseball fan, rather just glad to spend time with her two daughters.

Admittedly, both of us are a bit reluctant to leave our new Florida home, especially after just getting situated. However, we’ll gladly sing “Happy Birthday” over a Ghirardelli chocolate sundae and dine at Sonoma’s Wit and Wisdom restaurant. We’ll return to our seven-year home of Portland and visit friends and relatives, say hi to Tally’s little dog buddy Falco, and think about our long journey down to Florida that included several hospital visits for kidney stones. There will be no stylish jewelry or other lavish gifts on this occasion, just time with loved ones and the traditional French box. 

As an appropriate tribute to our nearby Florida Gulf beaches, this year’s porcelain BD box is a colorful beach umbrella with chair and cocktail. On our 10th wedding anniversary (diamond), I somehow got away with buying her a Charlie Brown Baseball Diamond Limoges box in lieu of the real thing. She thought it was a clever way to avoid gifting her another pricy stone (although other gifts were involved). I also once took her on a 50th birthday trip to San Diego and ended up in the ER after a kidney stone attack on the beach, claiming to have given her a special stone. Well, this year it was her turn for kidney issues, but with the much more serious consequences of surgery. Rock and Stone jokes have become a part of our conversations on many occasions. They once again appear in this poem:

More Than Sixty-Four 

You’re celebrating,
Sixty- five years.
Looking much younger,
Than your peers.

With two girls,
One barely forty.
Driving a Lexus,
Considered sporty.

Life is good,
A brand new home.
You’ve seen Tahiti,
And even Rome.

Early retirement,
A nearby beach.
Sun and surf,
A little of each.

Dream kitchen,
Back yard pool.
But a husband,
Who’s low on fuel.

Water aerobics,
Dog Park friends.
The fun at Islandwalk,
Never ends.

I’m sure you envisioned,
A bucket list location.
To mark this Birthday,
Milestone occasion.

But the Covid bug,
Took that all away.
So here we are,
Where the Giants play.

Cities by the Bay,
With those you love.
But don’t forget,
To bring your glove.

Or maybe some bling?
But the way I see it.
It’s been a year when,
“Stones” aren’t appropriate.

At the very least,
It’s a “diamond” setting.
Next year’s 66th,
Will be better-I’m betting.

Instead we’re gathered,
At Miranda’s new home.
The background for,
This Birthday poem.

Some Sonoma Sipping,
And Ghirardelli.
Wit and Wisdom,
Will fill your belly.

Megan is next,
Who we left behind.
More birthday love,
That you won’t mInd.

Party in Portland,
Stretching your big day.
Then back to the beach,
And more Gulf play.

Under the umbrella,
Toes in the sand.
Coast to coast,
Isn’t life grand.

Copyright 2021 johnstonwrites.com