Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Community Comment

Belated Happy Birthday to Jeanie…

Jeanie of Spokane, without whom Community Comment could not survive. (The Spokesman-Review)
Jeanie of Spokane, without whom Community Comment could not survive. (The Spokesman-Review)

Good morning, Netizens...


This morning, as I wavered past the flowering tulips outside the doorway that leads to the Virtual Ballroom, pausing in my introspection to admire the neat handiwork of the Garden Gnomes who have been preparing the soil for our annual festival of garden vegetables, a virtual cornucopia of gastronomical delights for the healthy, it suddenly struck me that all the signs are there – we have the makings of an otherwise chilly but normal spring day in the making. The bulbs are blooming and growing, the ground is prepared for the garden and the Garden Gnomes are now emerging from their underground holes in preparation for yet another growing season.


As I marched stoically into the Virtual Ballroom, however, my early morning reveries were shattered, like so many pieces of fragile pottery against the brick walls of the Ballroom when I slid into my familiar bar stool awaiting to see who was serving Virtual Espresso this morning, and what flavor that might be, for one never knows about such things. Ttanding behind the counter, giving me an unforgiving eye, was a late friend, the Ghost of the late John King, formerly of the Phoenix newsgroup and earlier, a writer for the Spokane Falls newspaper, who stood there glaring at me.


“You, of all people, should never forget the birthdays of those close associates and friends,” he barked, much like the bulldog he once was in life. “I even understand from various associates of mine that, upon occasion, you have even forgotten your beloved wife's birthday, and I find that totally unacceptable. You should always celebrate the lives that touch yours, not idly pass them by in favor of more lucrative fare.”


“But,” I remonstrated, “Things over the last week have gotten extremely hectic, what with several issues with several clients all simultaneously banging down around my ears. The Virtual Ballroom was and remains an all-volunteer operation, and sometimes I have to prioritize matters based upon income, rather than other criteria. Forgetting Jeanie's sixtieth birthday yesterday was but a momentary lapse in the overall bandwagon of life.”


“Well, today's Virtual Espresso should help with any future reoccurrences of that nature, my old friend.” With that, John deftly slid a shiny bright red cup of something simmering and of delightful appearance in front of me. “Today's Virtual Espresso is called Remember All, and will help you always remember those whom you love.”


As I took my first hesitant sip of the Espresso of the Day, I suddenly knew that next year I strive to always remember important dates, none less important than Jeanie's birthday. A belated but heartfelt Happy Birthday to my dear consort.


Dave







Spokesman-Review readers blog about news and issues in Spokane written by Dave Laird.