Happy Matthew Day everyone! It really snuck up on me this year. I didn't get my Matthew Day shopping done. None of my cards went out. It's embarrassing really. Matthew Day is not one of those wandering holidays like Thanksgiving or Easter it is always July 14th. And, since I was alive and aware on the very first Matthew Day you would expect that I would be more on top of this it being the thirty second annual celebration of Matthew Day.
There have been some truly memorable Matthew Days. The first celebrated Matthew Day occurred shortly after a trip to the Boardwalk to watch Operation Sail where Matthew got his first sunburn while I was supposed to be watching him. What?! I was barely eleven for heavensake and he was sleeping. What was there to watch? It wasn't a bad sunburn. He's fine now. Jeese.
Then there was Matthew's Day Eve in 1977 . I was at a Little League baseball game when all the lights went out and we had to walk home with Mrs. Cali, in the dark for nearly ten blocks. That Matthew Day we ate everything in the fridge and washed it down with several gallons of reconstituted formerly frozen orange juice. I'm thinking Matthew himself might not remember that one since he was only two at the time.
But my favorite Matthew Day was the thirteenth one. I have an actual photo of that one. There is a chance he may never talk to me again after this... I'll risk it.
Yes, there he is, the reason for the season and he is holding my daughter, Dorothy, who will be twenty in February. (Feel old, Matt?) Look how happy he is! What thirteen year old boy wouldn't want a six month old girl to play with for their birthday? What thirty-two year old man wouldn't want his sister to put photos of him with a super cool spiky hair on the internet? Well, I have faith in the spirit of Matthew Day. Yes, before you know it he will be calling me and we'll sing those familiar old Matthew Day carols like we used to. Good times!
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
