Yogi Berra, George Carlin, Burt Bacharach, Steve Winwood, Bruce Boxleitner, Eldon Hardin, Kevin Dodson, and Rick Newton were all born on this date. Kevin is undeniably the youngest, but in my humble opinion, Rick is definitely the cutest, so I posted his picture here instead of any of theirs.

Birthdays are funny things. As kids, we mark the passage of another year with great fanfare, not to mention copious amounts of cake and ice cream, always looking eagerly ahead to the time when we’ll be “grown-ups” and able to do anything we want! But as those so-called grown-ups, some of us drag our feet, hoping to slow down the rapid rotations of the earth, trying to buy a little more time in each passing day and year.

Two years ago, Rick celebrated his birthday with breakfast in Venice, Italy, and dinner in Salzburg, Austria. Last year he spent most of the day bobbing around in a pool in Lahaina, Maui, before dining at “Fleetwood’s on Front Street.” This year he’s sticking a little closer to home, but he’s counting his blessings, nevertheless.

Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. It’s all about gratitude. Today is definitely a day to celebrate, but so is any day we “wake up sucking air.” It’s the quality, not the quantity of our time here that matters, and making the most of each day is what it’s really all about.

So a very Happy Birthday to all the Birthday Kids, and bon appetite!