Thursday was Peter’s birthday. He’s well into being old-old. Even without his various conditions, reaching 86 would be something to celebrate. I think his positive and upbeat attitude enables his well-being. It doesn’t hurt that, as I reported to him, just this week, two women told me how handsome he is—still!

I was very excited about my present to him. We had admired a small sculpture in a gallery in Florida. When we got home, I called and ordered it. The gallery agreed to ship it without the gallery name on the package, and although he saw it on the front stoop before I did, he never asked what it was.

When I gave it to him at breakfast Thursday, he didn’t quite have the reaction I expected (namely, jumping up, throwing his arms around me, telling me how clever I was, etc).

So he’s not perfect. But, he’s still a keeper.