Birthdays

Birthdays come, and birthdays pass, and the years pile up. As a child, I always thought November 8 was the best birth date to have. When I became six, I could start to school which I loved. The next special November 8 was at sixteen. I had a sweet sixteen party at the Community House where girls danced with boys, and also passed the driving test and received my license. That was a big birthday. Then at eighteen, I could vote and also graduate from SHS. My life-long goal was to live in Atlanta. Right after graduation, my friend, Frances Willis, and I headed to Atlanta. We lived together, worked at part-time jobs, and entered the Atlanta Division of University of Georgia. We thought this was as great as it could get! In 1956, I married a “Rambling Wreck” from Georgia Tech and lived in many parts of the country, including Philippine Islands. My final location is in Greenville, SC and thankful to at least be back in the south. After death of my husband in 2001, the years started passing with breakneck speed. Eighty-eight came before I started counting. These have been great years from my childhood in Swainsboro until 11-08-24, when I add another year. The family of an only child has increased by a daughter and two sons, five grandchildren and four great-grands. Now I have a “just right” apartment with meals in the lovely city of Greenville. I enjoy having a full day of reading, writing, visiting friends and playing with my ageless cat, Carly. On my birthday, I look forward to a party with my family. My life is blessed as I wish myself a Happy Birthday at eighty-nine. Write to Shirley @ [email protected].

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