Tropical Birthday

 So my brother of another mother Barry turned 62 on Thursday, and that night went to The Palm with Donna and Josh for his birthday steak. Friday -- would we meet at Tropical Chinese, to keep the celebration going? OF COURSE we would.

I signed on to Eric and Dana's Zoom, and wished Godspeed to Josh and Alex and their kids -- left yesterday for a new start in Atlanta, close to Alex's sister and I think, moving from Boca mother. As Eric and I discussed ad nauseum during our 2 weeks in Central Europe, we can think we set up our lives and the adult lives of our kids a certain way, but then they show the truth of my twisted Billy Joel lyric: You don't care what I say anymore this is YOUR life.

I'm sure they'll soar there. Hell -- if you're otherwise happy with your life, you soar anywhere.

Wifey has a mah jonng friend, second generation Miami girl, whose 90 something mother just died. Karen sold the Grove Isle apartment, and initially decided to move to Williams Island, like many empty nester (and no longer caring for extreme elder parents) types do. But now she told Wifey she has a nephew and niece in, of all places, Birmingham, AL. What, Wifey asked, did I know about that place.

Well, as a Skynnerd fan, I know they love the governor there. Other than that, I see it routinely pops up on the list of "20 most miserable cities in the US," according to those articles based on, well, who knows? I know I would look at a move to Birmingham like a prison sentence. Truth is, I'd look at a move to Atlanta as one, too -- but maybe more of a minimum security, prison-camp type sentence.

But these are not my calls. All I do know is, if you have the means and opportunity -- use them to truly decide where you want to live -- and do it! Often jobs decide, or health issues, or economics. I got a call the other week from a young IT guy who simply couldn't afford South Florida -- he found a gorgeous house in a smaller NC city and is happy as a clam there. So I get that.

As for me -- well -- I spent a lot of time with the thought experiments involved in downsizing to a smaller house in Miami Shores -- hell -- staying in County. And the conclusion of these experiments was -- nah -- I like it just where I am. Wifey is none too pleased -- but she plays the long game -- a rich widowhood will let her go wherever she chooses. She might even pick Atlanta!

Meanwhile, Friday was delightful -- we talked of old times and today, and realized we've been celebrating this birthday thing together for more than 4 and a half decades. Barry ordered some exotic vodka and sake cocktails, and I strayed from my usual vodka only in his honor. I toasted that he make it to 120!

Yesterday, Wifey and I watched Part II of the great Billy Joel bio. We really enjoyed it -- he's a long time favorite, and a true Nassau County blue collar Jew like me. Of course, he couldn't make a permanent go of it with 3 wives, including a super model. I've kept MY super model nearly 39 years...

Another week awaits. Norman noted that there were FAR too many July deaths -- foremost to us, of course, 2 great Dads -- Max and Bill. We're all hoping for this month to end -- and it will, on Thursday. 

Far better to celebrate birthdays than attend funerals. Hopefully that trend stays for awhile...