Hey, Wendy:

Nice to see your name. Beats calling you Billy Bob. When we were at the party, our grandson,(on Ruth's side)his wife and their new baby was there. She's only a few weeks old, having been born on June 14th... on my birthday. It's really special to have a family member born on your birthday. I had a cousin who shared my birthday, who was ten years older. I'll never forget a birthday... I was probably six or 7 years old when he walked over to our house on that hot summer's day to bring me a pair of socks as a birthday present. He had a glass of cold lemonade and then walked home. we didn't own a car, so we couldn't give him a ride back. He lived in a neighboring town about ten miles away. How could anyone forget such a loving act... a twenty mile round trip walk to bring a kid a pair of socks on his birthday? Nothing have ever touched that birthday present. My cousin is long since dead, but he was a sweet man and I loved him dearly. When I was living in New York City, he came to visit once and I took him to the Gaslight Cafe. Tom Pazton was playing that night, and Tom was a friend, so he was especially warm and friendly to my cousin Kenny. Kenny didn't really know folk music, but he asked Tom if he could do the Wabash Canonball, which was one of his favorites. Tom obliged.. made Kenny very happy. It was a sweet gift to a sweet man.

Jerry