Fellow members, and honored guests...
When it comes to big important dates, November 8th rarely comes to mind. Sure, Abe Lincoln was elected to his second term on November 8, 1864 (he defeated George B. McClellan.) Montana was admitted as the 41st state in 1889. And famous folks like Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula), Milton Bradley (the famous game manufacturer) and singer Bonnie Raitt all celebrate their birthdays on November 8th.
But for me, November 8th is a very special day, for it was the day that this little girl was born, just up the road a bit at Mercy Hospital, two days after the re-election of President Dwight Eisenhower. She was named Cecelia, presumably after a popular song of the '30s, and not the one by Simon and Garfunkel. She began to grow up, first into a blond bombshell, and then into a more serious student. At the tender age of 13, she first met this guy, but it wasn't until she was 17 that they began to date. Soon afterward, she was out of High School and ready to take on the world.
The first time they celebrated November 8th was her eighteenth birthday. He took a whole roll of shots, even annoying her at the grocery store. Before long, she was hanging out with the college crowd, and shortly before her 20th birthday, she married this guy.
At 20, she was a new bride and setting up a household. And at 25, she was enjoying her 20 month old son, and her '80s hair. Since they both celebrated November birthdays, sometimes there was an economy of scale. At 28, she had settled into a comfortable routine, but as she neared 29, she was resigned to the fact that her children were aliens. And by 30, senility had begun to set in when she couldn't even tell a pie from a cake.
At 40, with the help of family and friends, she was able to get it right and once again enjoy the beginning of a new decade.
At 47, she was given a special treat. Channel 10 selected the couple for a makeover, and the first session of two occurred on her birthday. At dinner, she was feeling glamorous, but it wasn't until two days later when after their second session, they appeared on TV.
Now, nothing could top that experience, except for a special celebration for #50. What better location than Las Vegas, and a second celebration upon returning home?
Yes, for many November 8th is just another reason to celebrate American Idol's Bucky Covington, or to mourn the loss of Norman Rockwell. or perhaps take a listen to Led Zeppelin's 4th album on the anniversary of its release. But for us, November 8th means another celebration for Cece Linder, the birthday girl.
Mr. Toastmaster...