THE GREATEST DAY OF MY Life

July 22nd was my birthday and yes, it was a BIG birthday .

But I believe that every birthday you have after you hit the age of 75 is a big birthday.

As, for my age, when I wake up with pains in my knees and back, I feel my age is really 117 and a half.

I’ve reached the time where I’m ready to join all those old people my age, who you can always find in your local supermarket, Produce Department, trying to open one of those fucking, stupid plastic bags.

Let’s face it. I have reached an age where It’s no longer a question of staying healthy. It’s a question of finding a sickness you like.

So, my wonderful son J.T and his great wife Rachel announced that for my birthday, they were taking me and my wife, the beautiful Judy Licht, to the 1770 House Restaurant for my birthday dinner.

I was thrilled because the 1770 House Restaurant is my favorite and Michael Rozzi, their chef, who was my chef at the Della Femina Restauant, is the best chef in the Hamptons.

When Judy and I got to the restaurant I let her out of the car and went hunting for a parking space.

Walking back to the restaurant I was greeted by the lovely Carol Covell who manages the 1770 house and used to manage my restaurant. She led me towards the restaurant’s enchanting outdoor seating area.

When we got to the table where Judy was seated, I felt something I can’t explain. And then I looked up and saw on a rise of the gardens, all the people I love.

There were over 40 faces smiling at me.

SURPRISE! they shouted. SHOCK, Is what I felt.

I felt tears forming in my eyes.

There was right in front of me everyone I love.

There were All 5 of my children; Donna, Michael, Jodi, Jessie and J.T. and their wonderful spouses.

There were 9 out of 10 of my grandchildren. The only one missing was my grandson Zack who lives and works in Berlin Germany.

There was my late brother Joe’s wonderful wife Carol. And there daughters Elisa and Danielle and their families.

My daughters Jodi and Jessie had taken over the entire 1770 House restaurant for my party. They were joined by my son JT

who had created hilarious signage spoofing many of my past advertising campaigns. My granddaughter Annabel Kim, Judy

and my daughter in law Rachel all added the finishing touches.

It was a fantastic dinner and love filled the room.

I fell asleep that night in a blissed out happy daze. I woke up at 4:30am confused. For a minute I thought it all had been a wonderful dream.

Then I realized it all had really happened. At my age, in one night, I had felt the love of all the people in my life.

I can’t tell you how much, at this age, I needed that.

I needed to hear of their love for me. And I needed to express one more time my love for them.

We all need a day like I had.

I’ve been lucky. I’ve had so, so many great days in my life.

But this had been the greatest day.