3-11-70
I am G Callen and today is my birthday and until I partnered with Sam Hanna I never acknowledged it. He's the one who started the small gifts and cards. I'll be honest; the day had never held much attraction for me. So many of my abusive foster parents took my birthday money and spent it on themselves. I got nothing except an extra slap or two. I never stayed at the good foster homes long enough to celebrate my birthdays.
I hear that I celebrate my day with Johnny Knoxville, Terrance Howard and Sam Donaldson, whoever they are. My day has some historical relevance: Union General William Sherman occupied Fayetteville, North Carolina, 1865. In 1867 Mauna Loa erupted. The Great Blizzard of 1888 started and my favorite Levi Strauss started selling bell bottom jeans in 1969. The next year I was born. It was a real important historical day. (chuckle, chuckle)
My birthday usually starts out with breakfast at one of several diners that I frequent, then a quick ride to the mission where my team mates shower me with well-intended birthday wishes. They are my family.
I may have a birth certificate but it means nothing to me. It was issued by the State of California but I wasn't born here. I found that out the hard way. I almost lost Hetty in Romania. That is where I think I was born. I'm still not sure of that.
I had a mom, dad and a sister and for all I know they're all dead. My sister is buried in Los Angeles and I used to visit her grave until I was photographed there. I have no idea where my mother is buried and if my father is even alive or dead.
As for now I have my "family." Hetty is like a mom to me and Sam is my big brother. He's the one who feels my birthday has worth. Every year, like clockwork, there is a small, mostly silly, present, stuffed into my bag at the end of the day. He makes sure there is a birthday card that has been circulated amongst us. It is received gracefully by me from my "family." I have learned over the last six years that I have worth to these members of my family and for that I am thankful.
So for all of you, whose birthday I share, Happy Birthday and hopefully many more.
G Callen