My Dad is 95 Today

The Dr. Wilford Woolf Family--Pearl, Wilford (the younger), Lois, Anthony, Wilford, circa ???--best guess sometime before dad's mission (1936) but I bet when Dad reads this he'll be able to tell me from the model of the car which is either a Hudson or a Packard.

Happy Birthday to my dad, Anthony DeVoe Woolf, who is 95 today. He was born on January 23, 1915. As a young girl I never really did expect to see Dad live til he was 95 and I know he didn't either. He's outlived everyone in his immediate family even though he was older than his brother or younger sister. When I called late morning to wish him well he couldn't talk because he and Mom were on their way out to eat lunch at some restaurant to celebrate. I asked him the name of the place. He didn't remember but he knew it had good food and he knew how to get there, which is a good thing considering he's driving his car. Both of my sisters who live nearby are out of town and my brother, John, who's driving in from UT to spend the week w/ the folks arrives tomorrow. So although the nearest family members had a nice party for him last week, with sister, Sandy, making his mom's recipe of his favorite Lemon Meringue pie, today he and Mom celebrate together, without any of their 7 children around--sort of like when they started out their journey together 63 years ago.



Happy Birthday Dad! We all love you very much!

Happy Zvaigznes Diena!

It’s January 6th, the birthday of many a fine notable like the poet, Carl Sandburg. Lou Rawls, the singer, died on January 6th. In Ancient Latvia January 6th was called Zvaigznes Diena, “The Day of the Star”. A very sunny day signified a year without war and a clear night without clouds signified a good season in beliefs.

On January 6, 1950, the United Kingdom recognized the Peoples Republic of China. The Republic of China immediately severed diplomatic relations with the UK in response. And a star was born (me) at 11:53pm.

So here we are today 01/06/2010 and I am turning SIXTY! How is that possible? I keep having moments of acceptance intermingled with terror. My nieces like to tease me about looking like Doris Day (have they seen Doris Day lately?) In honor of her I include one of her statements:

“The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you'll grow out of it”

And that appears to be just what I’m doing.

Although I don’t particularly relish the big 6-0, I do believe in celebrating my birthday as much as possible by beginning early and ending late. Yesterday, the 5th, Sawyer and I began the celebration w/ a sunny walk at the beach. (ah, no wars this year?)

After his nap we went to see “The Princess and the Frog”. It seemed like the perfect time to take a 13-month old to a matinee…the local kids are back in school, the audience would be almost nil, and we’d have plenty of room if he decided to crawl around on the carpet. And all of these 3 assumptions were correct. Sawyer was mesmerized throughout most of the movie (I’m glad he didn’t understand all the voodoo stuff) and I had a great time “laughing!
laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of youth…” and dancing along to the Cajun beat. At 5:45 we picked Chelsea up from work and went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner compliments of a gift card I picked up at Christmas. Sawyer especially enjoyed my free birthday ice cream sundae. He went from squirming baby to all giggles and smiles. I even think I heard him say, “G’day mate.” I wonder if he’s learned yet that he’ll never find another love like mine.

Today we drive up to La Canada to spend a few hours with my great pal, Nancy. I will wear the beautiful pearls Brittany and Jordan gave me from China (so glad we’re all friends w/ the Chinese again) and hope for a clear cloudless night.

May this be a season of good beliefs for all of us.