Death is not worse pain than an empty life. -- Lun Tha

He caught up with me today.  It happens every year, but this year is big because this year he enters the ranks of the 40-somethings.

He caught up with me today.  This day often goes unmarked by those at the office and warehouse, because the September Birthday File isn't often checked 'til after Labor Day and by then, his special day is over.

He caught up with me today.  He's got more gray than I do, but is in better shape, overall. 

He caught up with me today.  It's his 40th Birthday. He doesn't know that I called the office to remind them, so that he got recognized on time.  He doesn't know his present will be brought in for him, so that it will be waiting...maybe with some obnoxious balloons...when he gets back from his calls.  He doesn't know that he's not getting cash to go buy wood for new chairs. 

He hasn't called me Old Lady all summer as he usually does.  Maybe that's because he knows that 40 lies lightly on my shoulders. It is a fair garment that I enjoy, so needling me about it is pointless.  Maybe it's because he knows that 40 is an age where one should, perhaps, be a grown-up in at least one way and teasing one's wife about being a few months older is goofy. Maybe it's because he hasn't had time to think of it, being preoccupied with vacations to Walt Disney World, Cartoon Ranger's antics, Cyclone's new school stuff.

He caught up with me today. It's about time, Marine!