Decade

A little more pain winches back when hitting that bump.
A little more sway gives in when rounding that corner.
A little more clink-clink gets heard when shutting off engine.

You are my good truck- and you're talking to me and to all who will listen.
You say your odometer turned 80,000 miles on each piston.

Well truck, you are not alone in announcing your milestones.
Our world begs us to recognize our feats- our events.
We put them in plaques.  Hang them on walls.  And type them proudly in "that's me"-written books.
We publish our photos in local newspapers.
To show what we did. To tell what we know.

The same goes for recurring events as they arrive during the year.
Pro football gets marked with bold X's and V's.
Granddaughter Kylie holds a party at 3.  And again when turning 4!
I mention this merely to announce I'm now 40.
Oh to be honest it's more like I'm 50.  Okay, okay, make that a big 60!

The decision is made to hold us a party.
Cleaned rooms are cleaned.  The foods are made to look special.
Hanging decorations go up to announce the event just hours before.
Spouse Rosie puts my name on a sign and sets it out by front door.
I even test our front chime so it rings when it's time.

And now they arrive, my marching-in guests!
They bring laughter along.  And hands holding presents.
The 'meets and the greets' fly around the house quickly.
We play the games we like playing and eat foods set out for the taking.

Conversations bounce faster and faster around.
See coffee pots empty- and cake pieces go down.

Better open those presents, is what I'm now thinking.
With granddaughter Kylie sitting on lap, we both pull and we pull.
Until presents reveal what they look like again.
I open each card.  Lift them up high to the eye, and read out aloud.

"Thanks everyone."
"So glad you could come to my once-in-time decade event!"
The chairs get moved back. We straighten our clothes pants.
All move step by step now- To the closeted foyer.
The guests take their coats and some leftover foods.
We say our good byes. Tell them to take care.
And to watch that step- There's snow in the air.

So ends the birthday party and day.
Was this a success?  Did I figure what I figured?
When birthdays start getting higher and higher-
Just let them arrive, and you'll feel so much better.