Birthdays
Tomorrow, March 15th, is my birthday and as all birthdays, it is a celebration of the passage of another year in a life; in my case 84 years. It all began in Duluth, Minnesota, just a few months before Pearl Harbor and the US entering the Second World War. It is also the Ides of March made famous historically. Here is some background information:
Why is it called the “Ides of March”?
In the Roman calendar, the Ides referred to the middle of the month, usually the 15thin March, May, July, and October, and the 13th in other months. It was originally a day for settling debts and religious observances.
Why is it famous?
1. Julius Caesar’s Assassination – On March 15, 44 BCE, Caesar was stabbed 23 times by a group of senators, including Brutus and Cassius, as part of a conspiracy to prevent him from gaining absolute power.
2. Shakespeare’s “Beware the Ides of March” – In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare immortalized the warning given to Caesar by a soothsayer:
“Beware the Ides of March.”
This has made the date symbolic of betrayal and political intrigue.
What happened after?
• Caesar’s death led to civil wars in Rome.
• His adopted heir, Octavian (later Augustus), eventually took power, becoming the first Roman Emperor.
• The event is now a cautionary tale about power, betrayal, and political downfall.
In the midst of our recent chaos, we will see if this might be one of those historically ominous Ides of March.
But back to my birthday. In my case, my birthday was significant because it gave my father an additional dependent for his taxes, which were due on March 15th at that time.
I was also a breach birth, born butt first, making me a hard birth for my mother who was relatively small. I am not sure she ever forgave me for the pain and bother. Some would say that accounts for my insistence to not follow the crowd. Some also would say that is why my spine is so susceptible to damage.
At any rate these 84 years have given me a wealth of accumulated experience. It has enlarged my vision of life and the world and given me context and perspective on not only my life, but also life on this planet.
So, what do I make of things after the completion of 84 years on this planet, now back in Minnesota, somewhat a bit worse for wear, but relatively healthy, with my wonderful wife by my side, with the families of my two sons all healthy and thriving.
Overall, it has been a wonderful ride, the people I have met, the travel and experiences I have had, and the stories I am left with.
At this time in my life, it feels like a time of summing up, of taking stock, of sharing what might be helpful to someone else, and passing on information, insights and perhaps even bits of wisdom.
Mostly I am grateful. Thank you, world.