HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!
Did you know that I got to choose the day we met, Charlie? About the middle of May, the doctor said, “Any day now, I’ll expect your call, Mrs. Howell.” But you seemed content to stay where you were. Then, toward the end of the month, I was told that you were getting too big for your allotted space and we would have to “induce” your entrance to the world. I was a bit upset about that until the Dr. said, “What day would you like for this baby’s birthday?”
“Really? Wow!” I thought. That seemed to put a whole new spin on things and since May 30th was a holiday (and I thought it always would be) I said, “How about next Wednesday?” And so it was that you were born on Wednesday, May 30, 1956!
However, I do believe I went to the Redwood City Hospital about 8:00 o’clock in the morning on Tuesday the 29th. I don’t know if the doctor had forewarned me or if I just realized that you were going to continue to take your time, even when urged. I remember asking if I could speak to the doctor sometime that afternoon and was told that he was on the golf course. I think I was a bit anxious about that…
But he arrived in time to introduce us at 8:30 in the morning on May 30th and we had a whole glorious holiday to get to know each other! You would have 15 years of your birthday always being a holiday and then… well sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. Once in a while it’s even part of a three-day weekend!
Whenever it is, Charlie my son, it is always the best day of the year for me! Many, many happy returns!