Story by Jon Stalnaker AKA The Studebaker Dude
Coming soon, to a calendar near you, is the 26th of June 2026.
When I was a youngster, I couldn’t even fathom that I would live to see seventy-five. It’s my birthday and I will be 75 years old that day. But I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, there’s still time to kick the bucket but right now it’s looking like I’m going to make it. I wasn’t one to always have a fuss made over me on my birthday. I can’t remember ever having a birthday party when I was living at my childhood home. I do remember a day when I was walking home from the city park that was across the street from my house. I walked in and asked my mother if she knew what day it was. I think I was about 7 or 8 and had to tell her that it was my birthday. I don’t exactly remember her response, but she still didn’t make much of a fuss about that conversation. It was an early “significant emotional event” that I have never forgotten. It pretty much sums up how I remember what it felt like to be the youngest of 5 children; I was often on my own.
Not all of my 74 birthdays were like that, but those that were,weren’t traumatic for me. I turned 19 years old when I was in Basic Military Training in Texas. One thing I never wanted to do during basic training was to bring ANY kind of attention to myself. So I sang “Happy Birthday to Me” but not out loud. I always thought that day was kinda pathetic.
I had no expectation about any kind of celebration, so it was fine either way for me. I could wear a Burger King paper crown and blow out candles or not. Either way was fine. A few years back I got an “It’s my Birthday” ribbon and it’s stuffed away somewhere. If I see it in time I’ll wear it, but, again, I’m not needy for attention usually but getting attention that way is kinda fun. Facebook has changed that as they notify you when one of your friends has a birthday. I like that because it’s always fun to get and to send these little happy birthday wishes. One of the coolest things about that is that I get them the day before my birthday from my “down under” friends.
My wife is great about special occasions. I don’t have to sit alone singing “nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna eat some worms” song. I can count on her to always know what day it is without having to be asked. I don’t need presents; the best gift is spending time with those that I love. Dinner with loved ones is the best. Eating out is one of my favorite things and any opportunity to do that is tops on my list.
Seventy-five is a milestone. I seriously never thought I would live that long, but it doesn’t seem like that much time to me. I lived each year one day at a time and the good days far outweigh the bad ones. I’ve done many things and while my bucket list has many items scratched off, there are still some that have yet to be accomplished. But I have done plenty enough to say that I can leave at any time and be satisfied with my journey. I can also say that I am not finished either. I have plenty of things to see and do, so I’m not in any hurry to leave quite yet.