An 80th Birthday, Thanksgiving, and Biggie Smalls

Laura’s family came down to Sarasota this past week so we could mark two things at once: my mom’s 80th birthday and Thanksgiving. Putting both occasions in the same visit gave the days a steady pace. There was always someone talking in the next room, someone preparing something, and someone asking if I had enough (decaf) coffee. It felt like a full house in all the ways that matter.

Most mornings started with a walk before the day picked up. The air was cool enough to be comfortable, and those early hours gave everyone a chance to wake up slowly. Later there was fishing, which became an easy way to spend time together without needing a schedule.

Napoleon, wearing his new twelve-dollar gold-plated collar, acted like he was hosting the entire visit. I started calling him Biggie Smalls the moment I saw him in it, and the name fit almost too well. He carried himself like he believed it.

Napoleon, aka “Biggie Smalls”

He made the usual rounds during meals, working one person at a time. His approach was simple: stare long enough, tilt his head, wait for someone to decide he deserved a sample of whatever they were eating. He was successful more often than he should have been.

The rest of the holiday moved the way family gatherings tend to move. People told stories about past birthdays, tried different pies, and caught up on the parts of life that are easier to talk about in person than over the phone. Just the familiar noise of people who haven’t been in the same place for a while.

By the end of the visit, my mom had a good birthday, Thanksgiving felt complete, and Napoleon had fully committed to his Biggie Smalls persona. The photo of him in the gold collar says more than any description I can write. Confident. Slightly offended at something only he understands. Ready for whatever attention comes next.

It was a simple holiday built around family, a milestone birthday, and a dog who believes he is far more important than any of us realize.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears onhttps://medium.com/@markedgington , where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.