Charlie in Italy at Two

Sixty-three years ago today Charles Morgan Howell IV made his cautious entrance onto the world stage and has been entertaining all of us who know him ever since!  He arrived at eight in the morning which, by my reckoning, should have made him a day person; I am still mystified at his life-long night-owl proclivities.  Even as an infant, Charlie could often be heard babbling happily to himself in the middle of the night — often when I, too, was burning the midnight oil (and perhaps babbling, as well) at the kitchen table in our Belmont, CA home.

Charlie in Berkeley at Three

I had a (fairly) good excuse; I was probably writing a paper or, perhaps, writing for “the” paper which happened to be the Stanford Daily.  Charlie’s first year among us was my senior year at Stanford University where I was a Journalism major but, more importantly, the only mom (as far as I know) during the final year of the Class of ’57.  I don’t believe Charlie had an excuse for his wakefulness, at all.  He’s just more active in the wee hours.

Perhaps it’s because he began as the lone “night person” in a household of daytime folks that Charlie has always seemed totally content to enjoy his own company.  He often pursued solitary pastimes as a kid — taught himself cartooning and animation techniques by spending hours and hours drawing flip-books when he was in third and fourth grades; wrote a neighborhood newspaper for a time when he was a bit older, setting the type by hand with a printing kit that he had been given.  (Or did he buy it, himself?)  It’s not that he’s ever been a “loner” — most of his work and recreational pursuits have been collegial — it’s just that he is content with solitary pursuits, as well.

Charlie at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 2012

So, when I called him about 7:00 o’clock this morning to wish him Happy Birthday, I was a bit surprised that I woke him up with my croaky “Happy Birthday to you” song.  “I have a doctor’s appointment later today,” he explained in a sleepy voice.  Heck of a way to spend a birthday, say I.  Hope he does something fun as well!  Happy Birthday, Charlie!  Have a great day!  And night!