Papatron's 90th Birthday

January 1, 2011 was my Papatron's 90th birthday.  He doesn't look a day older than 80, if you ask me.

(Papatron with all his Bot/Tron grandchildren and great-grandchildren, minus 2)

When I think that this man has been around for a decade shy of a century, it amazes me in a way I can't explain.  Ninety years is FOREVER.  1921.  That was so long ago.  Yet, the man uses email and reads blogs.  He is amazing.

 

It causes me to wonder if I can make it another 59 years.  But, only for a second until I realize that I definitely CAN NOT make it another 59 years.  That's ridiculous.

He's been there for me since the beginning.

(Papatron holding Baby Sparklebot, and Grandmabot, 1980) 

(Unknown kid beside Grandmabot needs to pee)

He still loved me even when my mom made me have boy hair.

(Papatron and Sparklebot, Christmas 1988, maybe?)

He's always been there for my important events.

 (High school graduation, 1997)

(Law School graduation, 2009)

 

Thanks for everything, Papatron.  And, I can't wait to celebrate your 100th birthday.

Resolutions

I have always kind of thought that New Year's resolutions were stupid.

Trying to better yourself is fine, and I guess it's important for some people to have some kind of reference for when they need a new beginning.  But, the post-holiday beginning to each new year seems an arbitrary and sort of sad time to be having such resolve.  Plus, no one ever carries their resolutions past the end of January...so why do we even engage in this charade?

This weekend, our family drove to my old hometown in North Carolina to celebrate my Papa's 90th birthday (he was a New Year's baby in 1921).  Coming home from the party, Troubletron and I talked to the kids very briefly about their New Year's resolutions.  I was particularly struck my Littletron's:

"Get some AAA batteries."

Keep aiming high, Littletron.  You are going to go so far.