I have obsessed over my 80th birthday coming this December 16th. 

I’ve looked at the day with dread, wondering how I can reach it, yet wanting to celebrate it with the hope of sailing past it and moving into a state of happiness.

Frankly, I am baffled that I can still tie my shoes and pick out a tasty apple. I have chosen to continue to lead Graff-Pinkert thanks to the brilliant efforts of Noah and Rex who have decided to continue to work with me and challenge my ideas without mocking me.

Buying, selling, and brokering used machine tools and working as an intermediary for companies to change hands is quite a challenge in continually changing times.

Many of our sales are to foreign companies and individuals. They have chosen to trust us despite the fact that we have no credentials other than a clean history of honesty and an ability to listen intently to their needs.

As I inch to this birthday that I have always doubted I would reach, I attribute my lifespan to the love and continual kindness of my wife and children. I wonder every day why they somehow find me worthy of their attention. I try to give back to them in some ways, knowing that I always fall short.

Writing this blog has helped me survive by giving me an outlet for ideas. Writing has pricked up my intellect enough to hopefully make me interesting to talk to.

My son Noah is so much fun to work with. I know he is a much better and kinder son than I was to my dad. My daughter Sarah still listens to input before her High Holiday sermons, which sharpens my thoughts and makes me believe my ideas still have some merit. My son Ari continues to grow and adopt some of the ideas that intrigued me when I was his age. I love the way he is raising his son and teaching him the value of gratitude.

And Risa, my wife.

How I was guided to her among a thousand girls at a college dance I can only attribute to a signal from God and the short skirt that she was wearing on that brutally cold January night over 50 years ago.

Her kindness, companionship, and love, above anything else, has enabled me to live this long and enjoy a surprising amount of it. 

If you have read this far, I thank you and wish you good health. I will continue to write as long as Noah bugs me. Hopefully it is still sometimes worth reading

Question: Do you celebrate or dread your birthday? Why?

This article was originally posted on https://todaysmachiningworld.com/happy-birthday-to-me/