Pat's Birthday Blog

[Pat Testa]

I don't think we have even scratched the surface of what the mind can do...perhaps long after we're gone, people will actually be able to communicate without speaking. I think there are some whose minds have been able to do just that,,,but there is no one for them to communicate with. A lot of people fear the unknown and refuse to believe that it can be done. I feel sorry for them...

[Pat Testa]

Well...the coundown to age 70 has begun. Next month I will embark on yet another milestone in my long and semi-interesting life. I go willingly and happy to still be here to enjoy all of you nice people. I hope I can stay healthy and learn new things and meet new people and not make too many mistakes along the way... I go on this journey alone...and I am sure when the middle of February gets here, there will be a moment of sadness because the gathering that we usually have to celebrate both mine and Bill's Feb. birthdays won't occur. I just hope no one gets the idea to put 70 candles on a cake...if they do...Angel...we will need the firemen for sure...

[Pat Testa]

The countdown continues...Jackson's birthday reminds me that mine is exactly a month later. His is Jan.24th and mine is Feb.24th.

Bill would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on Feb.6th and I'm sure that day will be sad for us...

I was remembering all that we went through in that last month that he was alive...and one thing that I had forgotten was the tech who came out and dis-assembled all of the hospice equipment after Bill passed away. It was amazing how he took apart the hospital bed and carried it out all by himself. There was a LOT of equipment and he knew how everything worked and how to take it apart and put it back together. I watched in amazement. Of course, I made friends and asked questions...and he told stories of other people he had dealt with. I think the most outstanding story was a guy whose wife was dying and he wouldn't let them bring some of the needed equipment in his home because he was afraid it would scratch his floors... This was a guy who was losing his partner...and he was worried about his stupid floors!!!

The day they came out to bring everything for Bill...I had to leave to pick up Jackson at school and I just told them to move anything that needed moving and to let Bill decide where he wanted the bed. It was a mess for a while, but you know what...it didn't matter

I'm glad I learned not to sweat the small stuff after Cyndi died...no material thing is worth as much as a human life.

Gee, do you think as I get older I will continue to get smarter?

[Pat Testa]

Bill's birthday was yesterday...his first birthday away from us...Jackson helped me to stay focused on the important things. As we released balloons up into the heavens and wished Bill a Happy Birthday, I think Jackson had a better understanding that his Grandpa was somewhere very far away... His little friend Maggie, who still talks to her twin who died when they were only 5 days old...helped us in our attempt at reaching out to a departed loved one. She is an old hand at communicating spiritually...and she is only 6.

So, now, as my birthday draws near...I feel better about being an older woman (as my children say...older than dirt)...but then, they said that when I was 60! I shall try to prove them wrong by being active and healthy and most of all happy to still be here.

[Pat Testa]

Today, I am more than ever aware that anything can happen. A long time neighbor is in the hospital for heart surgery. They say he has a fifty-fifty chance of survival because of his age and past medical problems. His wife has had several hip replacements and he has been the one that kept everything going. He has already told his children that if something happens...they will be in charge of taking care of their mother.

As I go out into my weight room and walk on my treadmill...I will be thinking about all that has happened this past year. There have been three deaths of neighbors and there are more approaching their 80's that aren't in good health.
It looks like our old neighborhood will go through that inevitable change and new, younger folks will take over and make it their own. It has already begun and there are more small children running around.
The neighborhood is close to all the schools and perfect for young families.

I can relate to young and old, so it won't make a difference to my life.
The clock is ticking and it's time for my workout...so, I am on my way...the countdown to 70 continues...

[Pat Testa]

My youngest daughter came over yesterday to get the cookies I made for her family and the ones she ordered fo her friends. She spends more time with me now that Bill is gone...I think she realizes that I won't be around forever either. She brought her youngest son and a friend of his and they spent most of their time in my weight room on my exercise machines. He came in once and said one of the machines was too hard to work...it had too much weight on it. Ann just laughed and told him it was set for his Grandma's workout (and she called him a wuss). He asked me how old I was, and I told him I would be 70 in a little over a week...he just said "WOW" I didn't ask what he meant by that...

The countdown continues and I feel pretty good about being ancient and wise...well, one out of two ain't bad...

[Pat Testa]

I have already begun to celebrate...heck, I can milk this thing for all it's worth
I have been invited to lunch next week, and last evening, I had dinner with my children and grandchildren. I'll be sorry when this is over...

Birthdays are fun, because it's your very own holiday. I've never told anyone, but I still think the most fun part of a birthday are balloons...and people think flowers are more appropriate for older women. They are definitely nice...but balloons just shout BIRTHDAY! and HAPPY!...and make you smile
Two more days and I will officially be 70 years young!!!!

[Pat Testa]

It's here...and I don't feel any different...isn't it funny how we think a number makes a difference...that one more day that marks a milestone in your life will change you in any way...? 
I am blessed to have the DNA coursing through my body that makes me special...I AM A STARKEY sibling...and that alone, makes me unique and makes me proud. I have a support system that will be with me through the times when I think it couldn't get any worse...and it did...and they were there
Even the minor crisis...like yesterday...SpiritMan found out that I was having trouble getting my old emails from AOL. They were giving me the run-around and he called and gave them a piece of his mind (after trying to retrieve them himself and failing) I have had dial-up for 8 years with aol and basically paying $25/mo for the email service...because that's all I ever did. Even after his call and my attempts...there are emails in a cyber space...that I will never read, because I can't access them. I told SpiritMan to just let it go...at this point in my life, I am ready to start over anyway...so this will be a new beginning.

On this...the beginning of my 70th year of life on this earth, I will be more tolerant of people who deal with others on a daily basis...besides...I have caller ID now, so I don't have to answer their calls if I don't want to

Oh, yes...I had lunch with an old friend yesterday and it was enjoyable. We had a long lunch and a good visit and the club sandwich was so big...I had the rest of it for dinner last night. I have been invited to another lunch on Thursday or Friday and then...the partying will be over for another year and I will head for 71 (another scary number that means nothing)

[Guardian Angel]

I am here to tell you that 71 is no different thatn 70, except there is a one instead of a zero.  I just thought of it as becoming number one after being nothing.....................

[Oliver]

Gosh, if I knew how to enlarge the letters like I've seen done, I'd post it for the world:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did everyone in your class at Collett get a piece of cake?? That is what I'm sure happened when you were there (while SpiritMan and I were still at home watching TV test patterns.)

(I'll be joining him soon in the "60" club. I hope I'll be able to continue to raise "cane" instead of needing one at that point.)

Hope the weather there is good for your special day. It's not that bad here in your hometown, mostly sunny, almost calm and about 40.

Just rememember, age is just a number. It's the youth inside that counts!  Oliver--

[Pat Testa]

Oliver...the youth inside me continues to amaze other people...and me!
When my kids took me out last Saturday and I told our waiter we were celebrating my 70th birthday...he treated me like a Princess. When we left, he was waiting at the door and hugged me and whispered ..."you are incredible" That thought will stay with me for a very long time...he has no idea how much it meant for a twenty-something to appreciate a person of my generation. 

Thank you for the larger than life birthday wish...I'm like you...when I see the letters move across the screen in color...I just wonder..."How did they do that"? It never works for me....

[Guardian Angel]

Pat, click on My Messages at the top of this page.  I have sent you a lesson on how to do those things.....you're never too old to learn.....   Don't prove me wrong!

[Veda]

Well, your birthday day finally arrived and I'm hoping it's a GREAT day! 

It has to be, it's the day you were born and those kind of days should always be happy no matter how many times it goes around. lol

Your attitude, like the rest of your family members is incredible.  Such zest for life and the experiences it brings.  I look up to you today and say . . . glad it's you not me! lol  No, Just kidding.  Heck I'm only 9 years and 10 month behind you, and I'm looking forward to having your stamina and enthusiasm about it as you do today.

May many, many more birthdays greet you at your door.    Your friend, Veda

PS . . . I found this bigger balloon boquette, now just don't take it outside, don't want you floating away too far on your birthday! (Wait, I think I heard someone using some of the hellium out of one of the balloons.)  Kinda sounded like Mickey Mouse. lol

[Butterfly]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS !!

[Pat Testa]

Thanks Butterfly...I figured you had a busy day.