The year 2000 was a big one for our family.  Our first-born turned 30; his brother graduated from business school.  And Peter turned 70.  I managed to get my dream-trip to Africa on everyone’s calendar.

It took a lot of advanced notice, and some complaining by our kids about my sending a how-to-prepare-spreadsheet months ahead of the trip, but I got my yearned-for-visit to Africa accepted as a celebration of all the events noted above. 

I’m not big on buying souvenirs, but I did bring home a pair of black socks decorated with guinea hens.  Twenty-three years later, I'm still wearing them although they are threadbare as can be.

Somehow, I can’t bring myself to throw them out.