Danny's ten today. We'll go out to the little zoo (Austin Zoo) later to celebrate. That is his favorite place to celebrate birthdays in good weather and today is lovely blue, in the sixties. I remember turning ten - 1960 - thinking about the change in decades and the change in me - feeling like it was an important birthday. I have a specific memory of sitting in a little dark wood rocker (in Joanna's house now) in my blue room in Houston, thinking these thoughts. I wonder what Danny will remember about today. Easier to know what I remember about Danny almost ten - eagerness on every level, specifically eagerness to learn despite struggles with dyslexia - love for what he can get from books ANYWAY - and the determination to be able to get much more of it himself, enthusiasm for life and love, generosity of spirit, sweet smile, warm hugs, love of the ocean and all things related there to, a tendency to burst into song, high capacity for empathy and thus a tendency to be upset when others are or to feel "stuck" between others' desires, needs, preferences, love of helping, especially in the kitchen, great adventurous appetite and love of good food, love of food period because of enormous growth spurt, long legs and arms that show off wrists and ankles more than we'd like because his clothes just keep getting smaller, beautiful honey colored hair, very much like Ruth's, a resemblance to pictures of has grandpa Kerry at the same age, good sense of style, love of word and card games, love of his family. Now I should stop listing and make said ten year old a cake. Bob has gone to get the Prius - what a thrill! I bet the birthday boy is the first invited to ride.