Born on the Fourth of July

My Aunt Clara made it all the way to 100.5 beautiful years of life. And some of the greatest family times (among many) happened on July Fourth during special birthday celebrations. This remembrance comes your way from July 4, 2011, and B-day #98.

Born on the Fourth of July

“Okay, if you were born while Archduke Franz Ferdinand still had a pulse, please stand up.”

So in 1913, Franz F. hadn’t even started WWI, Babe Ruth was 18 years old, and his life expectancy was a ripe 50 years.

“Hmmm, don’t see anyone standing up. Oh sorry, you are standing up. And you’re right, being over 4’11” had nothing to do with the question.”

“And if you don’t launder your own clothes or do your own gardening, please sit down. And just so you know; it’s okay by me if you’re still blood doping, doing HGH or indulging an appetite stimulating gummy every now and then.” Whatever it takes to get the job done.

“And by the way, what if it’s my laundry we’re also talkin’ about (Hey! Don’t judge; what’s wrong with keeping an aunt focused and physically fit?) And what if your B-day is on the Fourth of July?”

“Aunt Clara, it looks like you’re the last retiree standing…I think.”

If you guys somehow wound up being suckered into receiving the TCDC Inner Circle online newsletter, you’ve seen my Aunt Clara.

Aunt C’s words of wisdom anchor our Temple City Dental Care newsletter in much the same way she’s anchored our over-grown and now over-spread out Sicilian famiglia. And if you have a problem with any of the incredibly creative newsletter text, mostly coming straight outta Nephew Jack, my Aunt Clara will advise you to “breathe through your nose” (before it gets punched.) And maybe it’s possible that both the verb and the object of the prepositional phrase got gently mixed up in translation during the trip from Palermo to a new country.

Aunt Clara is 98 years old today and that may be a world record for sharing love, commentary, and inspiration.

Can you imagine being a production manager in the garment industry well into your 80s? How about being my cousin’s full-time no-nonsense healthcare advocate in your 90s? And what about still looking over the steering wheel and advancing the Lexus through the San Gabriel valley at 98? Or breaking your arm at 97 and then putting in another couple of hours of weed extractions in the garden.

I’ve reached a chronological number that’s impressive even in dog years but because of my late parents and brother and Aunt Clara, I’ve never had to wonder about who I was or where the love was coming from. Our nightly talks cover everything from sports and politics to family and even Lindsay freakin Lohan.

Back in January, a nasty cold turned into a stubborn, heavy cough and Aunt Clara wound up in the hospital with congestive heart failure. While doctors and relatives proposed all kinds of measures, some far more invasive than others, I knew the choice needed to come from the only person in the room with a clear head and 98 years of experience. “Jack, I feel better; get me outta here.”

Today we’ll be celebrating the Fourth/98th with a pizza/ salad combo and some Sangiovese. And it shouldn’t be too difficult getting the B-day girl to tell the stories I love about the old days and the turn-of-the-century LA arrival of a huge loving Italian family.

Lately, Aunt Clara has been bragging some about Year 98; she even proudly noted being 97.5 starting six months ago. A new goal is seeing the Clippers make it to the NBA Finals; I totally don’t know about the Clippers, but I wouldn’t bet against Aunt Clara.

Love you Aunt Clara, Buon Compleanno