It’s My Birthday

Getting older, giving thanks, and going forward.

It’s after midnight when my wife steps into my office. I’m always up late, but she isn’t. This is unusual. She smiles and asks me to leave my cave and come into the living room.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” reads a string banner over the fireplace. In front of it on a coffee table in a gold-colored aluminum tray are arrayed three candles and three gifts: two drawin…