Fountain Valley News - Your Hometown Community Newspaper

Sunday was my birthday (we don't need to talk about which one), and I woke up without any fanfare. I was up in the wee hours of the morning trying not to have any expectations of what the day would hold for me. I have had this family for a long time, and I know I'm the "hey maker" – I make their days special; they don't know how to do that for anyone. I may have crippled them.

I sat and quietly drank my coffee and let it do what it does and revive me. A couple of hours later, the Old Man walks out of the bedroom and mumbles, "Happy Birthday." I replied with a "thank you" and he poured his...