Today is my birthday. It was 63 years ago today that I took my first breath.
That same day, another fellow by the name of Gordon Sumner also took his first breath. Gordon became a musician, too, and was quite successful. Consequently, I see him on television periodically and have watched him age along with me. Strangely, he appears much older, even with the TV makeup.
Of course, I know that's an illusion because every once in awhile I look into the mirror and wonder who the hell that old guy is looking back at me. Truth is, Gordon looks pretty good for his age and always seems to be smiling. I, on the other hand, elicit offers to help me out of the grocery store with my one bag of prune juice. Gordon lives in a castle. Someone probably buys his prune juice for him.
63 is significant to me because that's the age my mother was when she died. I was 40 at the time, and 63 seemed like such a long way off. 23 tax returns later and here I am. I'm treating myself to a colonoscopy in observation of the anniversary.