In everyone’s life, there are special moments we want to celebrate. It can be through a loving telephone call, a surprise visit, a full-blown party or a dinner out.

Yesterday I had such a moment. My son Clarke, his wife Becca and I went to the Golden Corral to honor Clarke’s 61st birthday.

But it turned out to be more than that.

When we came through the line to pay, the cashier said, “That will be two seniors and one regular.”

We looked at each other. I could have sworn I was the only senior when we came in.

I looked at Clarke’s face and it looked funny and a bit puzzled, for a few moments.

Then the reality spread across his face. It read, “Oh my god, it’s me. She’s talking about me.” Then to the cashier, he said rather loudly, “You mean I get a senior discount?”

Becca started laughing and so did Clarke and I. What a milestone!

Becca whipped out her trusty phone-camera and started taking pictures of her husband at 61.

I, however, was slowly realizing that if Clarke is now 61, that makes me the mother of a 61-year-old kid (um, man) and that did not seem too funny to me.

But being the kind, sweet, generous lady that I am, I did not want to ruin the atmosphere so I said nothing.

Aside from the fact that it dates me, it also makes me look at him with such pride. I love the fact he has always been true to his beliefs and passionate about what and who he loves.

He has a tender heart which extends to animals, and I love to watch him with his own dogs, cats and horses. There is a deep connection between them I believe was born in him.

The thing I hold most dear about my son is how he “gets me.”

I am a bit out of the box and so is he. He truly does march to a different drummer, and so do I.

Yesterday, we celebrated the first time Clarke ate in a restaurant with a senior discount. That even included a free drink. Did you know that? Normally, you pay extra for a drink.

I wonder why restaurants throw in a free drink to seniors? Maybe it’s because we seniors need to drink a ton of water to keep things working. Could that be it? I’m just saying.

We had a blast that day, and we left with me mulling about no longer being the only senior family member. I could not be more proud.

The view from the mountains is wondrous.