Happy birthday to Donald

February 11, 2008 by Barbara.

Since it’s Donald’s birthday today, I thought I’d share a few memories.

* The. First. Boy. When I think of Donald’s birth, I have to admit that his maleness is what first comes to mind. No one would say there was anything lacking in any of the first 6 in the next generation in my family but they were all undeniably female. We were excited to have a little one with “outdoor plumbing” as it were.
* Donald has long been a proficient hand in the kitchen. He would make cookies and pancakes and the like for himself and his sisters and friends at first but his reperatoire expanded. I remember Grandma Joyce telling about a call from Donald with regard to how to mix some batter. She told him to mix it by hand and so he did. He used his hand to blend the ingredients. Reid is from this same school of cooking. She will stir dry ingredients with her hand but enjoys the wet ingredients more. Donald is more particular now, though.
* Donald was an usher for Ken’s and my wedding. He got everyone sat where they ought to be without fuss. He didn’t object to wearing Dundas tartan or make any other waves, important qualities in a member of your wedding party.
* Donald spent a few years at university in Ottawa and we were always happy when he could come over for a visit. University keeps one busy and for a young man, you might expect that visiting relatives wasn’t high on the list of priorities. Still, Donald made the trek across town now and again. He was always eager to help in the kitchen or play with Reid.
* Donald is a particular favourite of Reid’s. Since she was small he has talked to her and played with her and she has loved the attention.
* Donald never asked to use our washer and dryer although I’m pretty sure that I offered. I’m not sure whether he didn’t do his laundry or if it seemed too much effort to cart laundry around the city. I don’t need to know. There lies the reason that young men don’t visit their relatives.

Happy birthday, Donald. Please come by for dinner sometime.

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