The Birthday Card

I just got back from the mailbox. Thankfully none of the neighbors were watching me this time around. My parents sent me a birthday card (42nd on 7/13). I opened the envelope up and it read, "Glinda the birthday fairy, came by to sprinkle some of her special 'aging dust' on you." I then opened the card and heard what I thought was a cell phone going off really loud with a buzzing type ringer. The problem was, I was not carrying my Treo (read: piece of crap), nor was anyone else around. So...here I am looking around everywhere trying to figure out where this ringtone is coming from when there is a sudden scream coming from the card! Inside the card is a picture of a bug zapper with the comment, "Don't worry -- I took care of her." The buzzing noise was Glenda's "glitter" and the scream was Glenda getting zapped. Good one Mom -- you got me again. Just wait 'til next March.

Now...as little as two years ago, I would have immediately known the sound was coming from the card. What is it about the magical age of 40 (or in some cases 41 or 42) that everything seems to head south? The eyesight went at 40. The mind is now playing tricks on me! The right knee that I had scoped 5 years ago is going to need a second round within a year. Thankfully I am in the best physical shape of my life (albeit the right knee) but how long will that last? Uuugghhh!