It used to be weddings and birthdays, but now we celebrate anything – new cars, holding a plank for more than 15 Seconds, losing a half pound in a year, etc. but always, ALWAYS we celebrate another birthday,

So was the case today when we celebrated the matriculation of two classmates into another year which gets more precious as they fly by. Norma Clark Atkins and Ann Edwards Gatlin were the honorees and a bunch of old friends flocked in to help them mark another birthday.

I had an appointment at 2 p.m with a friend who was going to help me move a piece of my mother’s furniture to Starkville. Running late I flew down Waverly Road completely oblivious to the speed limit. Just as I passed one of West Point’s finest, his blue lights came on and he made a U-turn and came after me, (Maybe trying to outrun him wasn’t the wisest choice.) I pulled into a drive way and started up the road toward his car, kinda bent over, holding my hip and shaking ever so slightly,

Sir, I chirped with what I thought a 90-year old woman might sound like, “I’m trying to get to my old home place to get my dear Mama’s table before they give it away. I never do this and will pay whatever you want.” I was fumbling with a well worn hanky,

“You probably didn’t realize you were doing 45 miles over the speed limit ( that means I was likely doing 85). But I’m going to let it go this time but I’m following you to make sure you get there alright,” he said in a kindly manner. Did he really pat me on the arm? Oh brother, now I was really going to be late.

But I learned a lesson, age does have its privileges if you know how to use it to your benefit.