My Dream 73rd Birthday

by Darrell Griffin, president of pureaudacity.com

Hey there, folks! this month is my 73rd birthday. I am a Southern California boomer, born June 1952, when jukeboxes ruled and a Coke cost a dime. As my 73rd birthday rolls up in 2025, I’m not chasing those “stay young forever” ads clogging my TV screen. I’m picturing a quiet, perfect day in Southern California —home for me, my wife Kim, our daughter Alexis, our son Jordan, and Kim’s sister. Our house is a place once buzzing with the sounds of five 5 kids. Their dad, a dentist lived in our house before us with his family. He had inpeccable taste so we did not have to do much remodeling when we moved in. Well that was other than replace the "popcorn" ceilings and long-pile carpet throughout the house. He had 5 kids and the neighbor had 6 kids. This has always been a "family" neighborhood. Now it is mostly a retiree neighborhood. I have noticed a number of young "big" families moving in lately.

Every birthday, when Jordan and Alexis ask what I want, I always say “world peace.” For my 73rd, that’s still my wish, wrapped in Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones tunes and a Los Angeles vibe and maybe a little herbal tea. Here’s how I want my birthday to unfold.

This is an A.I. generated document

Kicking Off with a Sunrise Serenade

I’m starting my 73rd celebration at dawn, not because I’m a morning person, but because a Northridge sunrise is like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon—pure magic. I’ll be on our pool patio, sipping coffee, with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” blasting through my Earbuds. The house, built for a family of seven, hums with our little crew’s energy. We Griffins are an early rising bunch. My creaky knees might grumble, but my soul’s dancing. When you hit your 70's each morning you wake up without aches and pains is a win.  Each year Alexis and Jordan ask me what I want for my birthday. I always say "World Peace."  It’s my birthday. Okay IT IS MY BIRTHDAY so it is Starbucks! Venti Chai Tea Latte.

Then, I’m lacing up my sneakers for a slow stroll along Venice Beach and the boardwalk. No marathon hikes for this guy, just a stroll to soak in the beauty and sound of the waves and the pier’s buzz with people. I’ll hum “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones, rocking my loudest Hawaiian shirt like Mick Jagger. I’ll think about peace—nations uniting, like I’ve always dreamed. I'll restock my incense supply from the many little shops and street vendors on Venice, CA boardwalk.  Then we will head back over the hill to Northridge. The whole family enjoys the occeassional stroll on the Venice Beach boardwalk. I my opinion it is even better than the Greyhound Bus Depot in San Francisco for people watching.

Midday Cardboard tacos from Jack in the Box

Jordan’s ready for our taco run. We head to The Jack in the Box near our house and order a dozen of their "carvoard" tacos. We jokingly call them carboard because they must be cardboard. No one knows what the "meat" in their tacos is made from, but everyone I know loves them. I heard there is a movement to get Jack-in-the-Box desginated as the official food of California. 

A teacher I am not. Kim, Jordan's mom is Jordan's main tutor. I get to fill in when she needs help.  Jordan, 27 and a senior a California State University keeps me sharp. We share a cold lemonade—straight-up, no alcohol or cannabis for Jordan—just tart goodness.  I’ll make with lemons that seem to grow yearaound in ourbackyard. It’s our ritual. We end almost every day at five with our ritual of good conversation and something cool to drink.  

Alexis, our daughter who is a restaurant recruiter star (parent bragging), pops by the kitchen to say happy birthday. She’s got my and Kim’s work ethic—no downtime, always working tirelessly to place chefs in top rated restaurants. Her quick smile, along with her brothers, lights up our home, but she’s off to work in a flash. Kim and Kirsten  are chilling at home, maybe deciding dinner. No big party, just us five, keeping it cozy.

This is an A.I. generated document

Kicking Off with a Sunrise Serenade

Afternoon Joys: Herbs and Art

After lunch, I’m kicking back with some timeless joys that haven’t faded since my 20s. Painting’s a blast—I’ll mess with an AI art app to create A scene with people in it. Other than that I know what I want to paint when I sit down in front of my computer. I don’t have a garden, but I’m itching to start one with herbs like basil and mint and other herbs I’ll buy a few pots and seeds to kick it off. Picture me, 73, googling “how to not kill herbs” while “Gimme Shelter”plays.

Storytelling’s next. I want to share some stories with Kim, Alexis and Jordan that I can use in my blog at pureaudacity.com.

This is a A.I. generated picture.

I’ll crank Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd and Sticky Fingers by the Stones, filling the house with tunes. Kim might roll her eyes at my air guitar, but she’ll hum along. No crowd’s rolling in—no party, just us five, laughing over my bad dance moves and "my corny dad" jokes. Kim and I saw the Stones in London livein the mid 80's. Can you believe the Stones are still rocking it, big time, in 2025. 

Soul and Stars

As the sun dips, spend a time for God. I’ll stream a sermon from Pastor Dudley Rutherford at Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch—Gods words ground me, like always. I will thank God for all he has given me. With “Time” by Pink Floyd playing softly, I’ll lie back, stare at the evening sky, and pray for world peace—my lifelong wish. Jordan joins me, sipping lemonade, and we talk about what ever a happy family talks about on a warm Los Angeles evening. Kim and Alexis are there, Alexis watching the stars, Kim’s hand in mine. 

Why This Day Rocks

My dream 73rd isn’t about turning back the clock—it’s about owning every wrinkle, every story, every hope. Living in the moment. Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones are my soundtrack, my family—Kim, Jordan, Alexis, Kirsten—keeps our Southern California house alive.  73’s a blast when you chase dreams like peace, not youth. Forget those anti-aging scams. Blast some classic rock, start a tiny herb garden, pray for a better world. Work for a better world. I love that old, but true saying, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make a difference."