I Loved to Wander

If something can be known, I can’t stand NOT knowing it. –Geraldine Brooks, PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
It’s my Birthday.  I am now thirty-four years young.  How did that happen?  I was just reminiscing with Alan about how we were visiting the HEARST CASTLE approximately a year ago during a Cambria weekend escape together.  That seems like yesterday.    
Well, the Birthday Cards are few but ‘very special’ in my humble opinion.  They’re from Paloma, Birda, Alan, Lauren and Carrie, Reed Campbell, Gloria and Jack, and mom. 
From Paloma:
Happy Birthday Michael!
I wish you a great birthday.  Sorry I didn’t write for a while but I’m very busy at this time of the year (as usual) when visits start.  Next weekend my mom is coming with my two brothers (Luis and Edouard).  Edouard is the one who lives in Albuquerque.  His girlfriend, Golda, will also come to visit for one week.  I am also very busy with my new job.  I have been in a bad luck period since October with my dentist. 
Have you seen the movie called “DEAD AGAIN”?  I’ve been told it was good.  They’re playing it in June on our local HBO called CANAL +. 
The CANNES Film Festival is happening right now.  Do you hear about it?  Lots of American stars are there.  Clint Eastwood is the President this year.  I’ll write again soon.
Happy Birthday.  Miss you.  Love, Paloma
From Birda:
The imprint on her card made me laugh.   It went like this:
We are NOT…I repeat…NOT getting old and fat!   We are developing POWERFUL MUSCLES that enable us to sit for long periods of time without tiring!  Happy Birthday!
In her own words, Birda wrote:
Michael,
I couldn’t find a card with a bike but this reminded me of bike riding.  Hope you have a wonderful Birthday, developing your powerful muscles and don’t get too tired blowing out all of those candles.
Love,  B
From Alan:
Life is an adventure with you.  Happy Anniversary.
May 26, 1993
Michael,
…and Happy Birthday.  Enjoy…Enjoy…to my best-friend.  You are the BEST!
Love, Alan
From Lauren and Carrie:
Can I fetch you anything?















It’s your Birthday and you deserve the best of anything.  You mean so much to us and you’re very special.  You’ve put up with everything from us and you’re really great.  Happy Birthday.  We love you a lot and we always will.
Love,
Lauren and Carrie Freiman
P.S. My titties will always get bigger.  Ohhhhh….Lauren.
From Reed Campbell:
May 26, 1993
So it’s your Birthday and you’ve pissed away another year.  You’ll have to grin and bear it.
Happy Birthday.
Dear Michael,

I may be a little early…I know, but I hope your Birthday is a great one.  Enjoy Key West.  I did and Florida in general.  Drop a card or not if you have a spare moment between social and sexual engagements.
Best Always,
Reed
From Gloria and Jack:
Happy Birthday Michael,
Jack and I want to wish you the best birthday ever and know that your dreams will come true for you.  Knowing you has made our life richer and fuller and hope our friendship continues to eternity.  You’re such a “nice guy” and it’s a pleasure to be in your company! 
Have a great birthday weekend in New York.  It’s a great place to spend a birthday and you’ll have a terrible tour guide with you!
Love Always,  Gloria and Jack
From mom:
My son, Michael, as I celebrate the day you were born, I wish there were words that could fully express the happiness you’ve given me.  I wish you could know how proud I am of your accomplishments and successes and especially of the person you are…
I hope you know how much I love you and how much richer you’ve made my life just by being my son.

I’m sending you a little something and your Social Security card and a picture of the girls (the one you wanted).  Have a dinner with this…
I hope you like the chess set.  It’s not that expensive but it’s the thought.
Love You.  Happy Birthday, Mom
A few days later it was catch-up time.  Alan and I left for New York on May 28thand it all happened so fast…talk about a whirlwind weekend.   A part of me wants to stay in New York City forever.  There is so much to do there.  It’s simply endless.   I really love roaming around the museums.  On the last day of the month (while in New York) I wrote to mom using a card I purchased from the Metropolitan Museum of Art of THE GRAND CANAL in Venice, Italy by Edouard Manet, a French painter.
May 31, 1993
Dear Mom, By the time you receive this I will be back in Southern California.

We are having a fantastic time here in New York…as we always do.  We are even thinking of returning over Labor Day so we can do lots of things we haven’t done!  We were almost going to drive to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to see WHARTON COLLEGE where Alan went to school.  It’s one of the very best Business Schools in the country.
I still can’t believe how lucky you are over the Solomon Lane house situation.
I sent Grandma a postcard from New York.
I can’t wait until we go to New Mexico.  I bought you a gift and I also got Holly a graduation present.
Later,  Love, Michael
I found a cute card for Paloma, so I wrote her from New York also:
May 31, 1993
Greetings from New York City!
Hi Paloma… Your recent letters tell me that you are quite the busy one.

And…you know I live in Marina Del Rey now.  I live in a large house that is three stories with a roof deck that is ideal for sunbathing.  I guess that makes it four stories.  It is Alan’s house (remember him?).   You took us to that fantastic French Restaurant in Agde:  Emilie’s…was that the name?  Oh well, I love where I live because it’s an easy walk to the beach.  In a matter of minutes you and I could be doing what this couple is doing on this enclosed card.
I’m into playing QUEEN music lately.
My most recent movie seen was SNIPER.  It was good. 
Till Next Time, Love, Michael
I loved to wander around in the museum because you never knew what you’d find.  It was like a cabinet of curiosities.  –Geraldine Brooks, PEOPLE OF THE BOOK