Everybody has a birthday and everybody has one every year. Well, except for those individuals who were born on Feb. 29. Recently, I think I’ve had two or three each year! Some birthdays are more exciting than others. Sixteenth birthdays have not always been special; however, they have been for almost 100 years now. The first license to operate a horseless carriage, or motorized vehicle, was issued in Troy, New York, way back in 1899. The speed limit for such vehicles, in the city, was 6 mph. New York became the first state to require an operator’s certificate in 1903. In the early years, the minimum age to obtain a license was 18, but then in 1926 the age was dropped to 16. It still varies in some states.
So, for 99 years now, the age of 16 has been a milestone year looked forward to by most teenagers. Parents and grandparents look forward to it as well because, unless they have others to cart around, they get to retire the taxi. They also get knots in their stomach every time theirs leaves the house behind the wheel. It does, however, tend to improve one’s prayer life.
Well, guess who turned 16 this week. No, not me! I did have a birthday this week, but I turned 16 and hit the highways at least a couple of years back. My one and only grandchild, Drew, now has a driver’s license in his back pocket. He already has his first car and has been practicing, legally, with a learner’s permit. He has already chauffeured Jean and me around quite a bit and he does quite well behind the wheel. The first time he drove my old Ford he did learn that not all cars brake the same.
Some of you have been reading about Drew in my columns for about a dozen years now. I’ve even heard some of you say, “There is no way he is that old!” I feel the same about him…and about myself as well. Drew and I almost have the same birthday, but I am two days older. Well, my birthday was July 28, and his was the 30th. Back when I first learned that he was going to be born toward the end of July, back in 2009, I said, “Oh, I hope he is born on my birthday!” I thought that would be an awesome birthday present. His mother said, “No! Everyone needs their own birthday.” So, I think she held out for two days for that very reason.
Okay, I’m really more than two days older than Drew. I’m actually 54 years older, so my milestone birthday this year was 70. I know many of you are shocked at that because you thought I was much younger. That is because I’ve been told that I don’t look my age…or was that act my age? One young fellow guessed my age to be 100. I immediately went to look at myself in the mirror and counted up how many birthdays I had celebrated. I’ve been told that I don’t look a day over 69. Seventy is that age that many people think of as officially being “old.” Three score and 10, 70, is the age given in the Bible for, “The days of our lives.” (Psalm 90:10) That Scripture did go on to say that by reason of strength we could make 80. This septuagenarian is feeling really strong…as long as it is not too late in the day! I thank God for every day and year that he has given me and Drew. I’m praying that he lives to be 100…and me to 100 and two days!
Bill King can be reached at bkpreach@yahoo.com or 334-728-5514 (office).
