My Dad's Birthday

I get my child-like playfulness from my dad. Today, on his 55th birthday, his presents included a t-shirt from his favorite soccer team (Marathon) and a pen drive to transfer music he downloaded online to listen at work (as a hand surgeon!). You can see him with both of these in the photo. This is a man who knows how to play. With his wife and kids healthy and happy, Dad is doing all right for an old guy or "viejo" as I like to call him.


As a testament to the arbitrary nature of important birthdays, 55 is a big one for my dad. Somehow, it wasn't 50, 40, or 30, but 55. He says that nobody is surprised if you die after 55. Luckily, he is probably in better shape than me right now. His plan when he retires in 4 years, as is probably no surprise to you, is to take an extended trip. In his case, due to his love of soccer and nature, to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 followed by a safari in the Serengeti. It might just be time for another extended trip of my own ;-) Buen viaje viejo!