Reflections on an Anniversary

Yesterday, Agnes and I celebrated our 30^th anniversary. We did this in two ways: during the day we tried to think of all the things we need to remember to pack for our upcoming vacation*, and in the evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at The Oval Room (800 Connecticut Ave NW in downtown DC) ...

All that got me to reflecting that 30 years is a long time to be married ... especially nowadays, when people seem to change spouses as often as they change underwear**. What are some of the things I can look back on over those 30 years? Well ...

Thirty years ago, we were a lot younger ...

The six-year-old girl in that picture now has two daughters of her own ...

My older son is the father of three, with a fourth on the way, and his oldest daughter will be a teenager next year (!) ...

Giving us a total (as of now) of five wonderful grandchildren ...

I've had the experience of living and working in the city that used to be called West Berlin, which - at the time - had a very big and very dangerous wall around it, with a government on the other side that shot at its citizens who tried to escape from the workers' paradise. This gives me a certain perspective from which to comment that those who bitch and complain about the oppressiveness of the US government and the lack of freedom they enjoy here ought to just shut the hell up, because they have no idea what they're talking about ...

I have learned to dance under the critical eye of Agnes, who is still capable of giving me a withering stare when I'm not dancing up to standard ...

I've started blogging, through which I've met (online, in person, and ... occasionally ... both) a lot of fascinating people across the country and around the world. Oh, and Mike, too!

I could go on, but I guess that's enough for now. After 30 years, I have nearly doubled in size (but not equally in all dimensions) and accumulated a great deal more gray hair, but it's all been worth it. I have a great wife, a wonderful family, and a good - if often frustrating - job***. I'm in reasonably good health for a person of my age and bad habits. I'm a lot crankier than I was 30 years ago, but then there are a lot of people who work hard each day to keep me that way.

In short, I'm a happy dog, looking forward to the next 30 years with the greatest lady on earth. Stick around and help me enjoy it!

Have a good day. More thoughts coming ...

Bilbo

* Until our heads started to hurt, and then we just decided the hell with it.
** More frequently in Hollywood, if they wear underwear at all.
*** At least, if Congress gets its head out of its collective backside, grows a brain and a spine, and does something about the looming sequestration disaster.