With gratitude firmly in hand I successfully reached my 59th year today. In the words of an old friend, Terry Eagan, “Birthdays -The annual reminder of our own mortality”. While enjoying today I Iook forward to 60, 61, 62, 63………And dare I say 80. Mind you this is not in a hurry up and wish my life away kind of thing. Rather, I honestly want to savor every day for it is a blessing. It may not be a good day - trust me I know - but I just turn a ‘blind eye’ to the bad days blessing may they be.

Unfortunately, the good looking guy with the cake on his face is not me. He is my niece’s little boy celebrating his first birthday and doing it right if I may say so. I want to know. When did we lose that joyful innocence of eating our birthday cake with such exuberance?! I want it back. So I here by delcare that on your birthday whether you are celebrating at the Firehouse, Biba’s, Ella’s, the Waterboy, The Kitchen or at home with friends and family you are entitled to lift that dessert plate and lick every last morsel of the birthday celebration.

Wait. It’s OK. I know what you are thinking. I already had my birthday this year - why didn’t you say something sooner? I further declare that if your birthday has transpired prior to this column that you may pick a day - perhaps your half birthday in 6 months and appropriately celebrate at that time.

Dessert at Localis, Chocolate cake with burnt cream and citrus

This past weekend was a delight. Mela is better than yours truly deserves but do not tell her that. We got a massage Saturday afternoon. The poor masseuse. I had more knots in my back than the last piece of rope at a Boy Scout Jamboree. It felt really good. Much needed and what a treat. That evening we had dinner at Localis located at the corner of 20th and S in downtown Sacramento. We did the tasting menu with the wine pairing. Amazing. Food meets art. The presentation, the flavors - everything was outstanding. And the waitress and I share a birthday.

Sunday was the Superbowl at Rick’s with pizza and birthday cake. Definitely a good birthday weekend. But there is one person that arguably had it better. Chris, my nephew, the marathon runner who lives in Boston - that I have mentioned previously spent his 29th birthday at the Superbowl in Atlanta watching his all time favorite team win. And it was all paid for by his employer. Truly a birthday for the ages. But would not trade mine for anything.

Chocolate cake from Ettore’s, Happy Birthday to me!

The year is off to a good start and look forward to it getting even better.

Be Strong, Be Kind, Be Humble and God Bless!