So, lesson learned, when your wife asks you for your boss’s phone number but won’t tell you why, something’s up.
I didn’t think too much about it until last Saturday when, during my birthday party at our house, I opened a card and I was gifted 4 days at The Litchfield Inn courtesy of our friend Maria. Huh? Well then, Pat explained that she had to make the reservation in Maria’s name so I wouldn’t see the confirmation e-mails.
I told Pat, “that’s nice, but I can’t go” - among a hundred other things going on in Laurens County Sept. 27 - 31, there was the Devils’ important football game against Union County.
“Oh, you’re going to miss that” was Pat’s reply.
But, I can’t - my boss Jake is standing right there, in our den along with my family and I can’t possibly tell him that one of my primary responsibilities will not be fulfilled that week.
His response: “Go on, it’s taken care of.”
Pat added, “That’s why I needed his phone number.”
So, on my 70th birthday, in front of God and everybody, I had been bamboozled. We would be at the beach on my birthday and on our anniversary. AND, I would be missing work - and lots of it, along with a meeting of the Laurens and Clinton Rotaries. My Dad was rolling in his grave - “missing work? not going to happen,” I could just hear him in my head.
But, miss work I did and, despite a minor health scare, which two doctors didn’t seem too worried about, but freaked me out enough to go to an urgent care, we had a great vacation - Lots of rest, good food, Auburn football playing surprisingly well against Georgia, reading my magazines and three recently-acquired books, photos of the Supermoon and one sunrise, since on all the other mornings the horizon was socked in by clouds, and a shelling walk - it was just right.
Not to mention, a few Miami Vices by the pool, but that’s another story.
My Aunt texted me a Happy Birthday wish with the comment that, to her, the time between age 70 and age 80 has been some of the most rewarding in her life. Plus, last Wednesday, Dr. Stan Walsh told me based on recent tests, I’m healthy enough to work until age 80 - that’s not really what he said, but close enough.
So, with all that said, I am declaring the next 10 years The Lucky 7s - our 7th wedding anniversary was Oct. 1, the final day of my 60s was pretty freaky with the trip to urgent care but antibiotics have done the trick so 70 is kicking off successfully. I’m moving reasonably well with a bum left knee. I still have the will, not to mention the financial need, to work.
So, as Nikki Haley (and Kevin McCarthy) said recently,
“BRING IT.”
We are going to have an enjoyable and rewarding next decade.
Vic MacDonald is Editor of The Clinton Chronicle. In June, 2025, he will observe his 50th year in community journalism. Reach him at 864-833-1900.
