Savoring the Moment: A 56-Year-Old's Birthday Adventure

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

I’m sitting here, enjoying my 60th birthday, racking my brain trying to remember where I was on October 31st, 1991. There are a bunch of things that *could* have been happening on that day, but which one actually *was*? I suppose it doesn’t really matter all that much now, but I think it’s important to try and remember these things as best we can.

This may be my last birthday for a while because tomorrow I head back to Canada for a doctor’s appointment; so the past feels a little more present than usual today. I’ll just list them off chronologically and see if any of them ring a bell:

1) 1991 – The Year of the Snake

-Birthday party with friends at the bar where they were playing some sort of 90s pop music with an Asian theme (2NE1?)

-Went home with someone I thought was cute but turns out she had a boyfriend who wasn’t too happy about it

2) 1992 – The Year of the Horse

-Birthday dinner at a restaurant in Rochester, NY with parents and brother (Bethany?). Dad probably forgot his wallet again and mom paid for it all. One year they forgot my present and had to go back out the next day to get it. Mom didn’t like me going out drinking until I was 21. I wonder what Bethany is up to these days? She must be around 50 now… My family would probably disown me if they knew where I live now (Canada). They don’t even know about this blog (yet).

3) 1993 – The Year of the Sheep/Goat

Not certain what happened on this birthday, except that our family might have moved back to Canada around this time because mom wanted to be closer to her parents in Alberta. I did have some sort of encounter with the police on my way home from a bar after having one too many drinks, and my parents wouldn't let me drive for weeks after that. Moreover, my dad used to call me "goat boy" when I first grew out my beard; he often amused me. Sadly, he passed away in 2008 at age 75 due to Alzheimer's or another dementia-related disease.

4) 1994 – The Year of the Dog

On this day in 1994, Bill Clinton was elected President, marking a significant moment that year. Perhaps while the world focused on the election, Harry Potter purchased his first wand at Diagon Alley from Ollivander's shop. It is intriguing to wonder where our lives intersect with those of fictional characters like Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and others.

On this Halloween night, let us enjoy the festivities, dress up as our favorite characters, and celebrate not just today but also Thanksgiving day tomorrow. Be kind, generous, open-minded, empathetic, passionate, and patient in all that you do. Ensure that these holidays are filled with joy, laughter, togetherness, and delicious food.

Happy Halloween, everyone! Enjoy your turkey dinner tomorrow, surrounded by your loved ones, because Thanksgiving Day should be fun and memorable.