The L.A. Dime

It’s July 8th and that means I’m another year older. This one is a little more signficant than others, though, and not just because I plucked another gray hair, or because my body aches a little more and for a lot longer than it used to after a grueling climb up the stairs. This is my last birthday as a non-father. Knocking wood that all goes well, this time next year my son or daughter will be in the vicinity of seven months old. By then, the shift from the mostly “me-centered” life I enjoyed as a child and single adult, which became the “us-centered” life I lead as a married man, will have transformed completely into a “child-centered” existence. I’m fortunate to have many friends whom have had babies recently. It’s remarkable to see the big-bang-like explosion of joy in their lives, and the equally amazing shift in their focus and perspective. Of course, we must keep working, continue to love our spouses, enjoy friendships and pursue hobbies, but when a child comes — as I’ve been told — there can be no mistake that he or she becomes the center of the universe.

I’m always a little bummed on this day each year as I grow longer in the tooth, but even as the momment of true transition is still five months away, I will celebrate this birthday as a milestone of far more significance than 16 when I could drive, 18 when I could vote, 21 when I could drink, or 25 when my insurance rates were supposed to have gone down. I count myself as fortunate today. Some would say blessed. In love. Healthy. Not broke. And the father of rapidly growing, hopefully healthy little bump who will make every birthday after this more special than I could have ever imagined possible.

These are photo booth shots of my lovely bride and I on the eve of my birthday taken at The Short Stop bar in Echo Park, where we (I) enjoyed a drink with our friends JT and Jan before heading to The Echo to see our favorite band, The Submarines.

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