Yesterday was John’s birthday, February 2, 2012. He was 93 years young, still going strong. The nursing home, West Shore Health Center staff suggested to have the birthday celebration on Wednesday, one day earlier because there could be a volunteer guitar player. It turned out to be incorrect but the party went on.

We had ordered a birthday cake and some pizza slices. We picked them up and went to the nursing home. The staff helped set up the cake, pizzas, and the soda and Jan and Edda went to pick up John from his room. They arrived with him 10 minutes or so later, he was walking with his walker but looked good. He helped cut the first slice of he cake which the nurse gave to him to enjoy. Jan had made his favorite, tomato soup cake. Don’t let the name fool you, it is quite good especially with lots of spices Jan adds to it.

John opened a couple of gifts, an album Jan made for him containing his photographs from when he was in the air force and from his later life, and a small gift from Edda. He seemed to enjoy looking at them and showing the photographs to the staff. All the residents at the activity room participated in sharing the cake and the pizza slices, one even came for a second piece of the cake. We stayed about an hour and left. I am sure John will enjoy sharing the album with others and telling them stories about his air force days.

Happy birthday John.