Medical College of Virginia. Old Dr. (Hundall) Ware delivered my three older brothers. Young Dr. (Hudnall ) Ware delivered me. Having not delivered any of my brothers, Young Dr. Ware did not know what bad asses we Smith boys were. We don’t cry. Startled at my cool composure upon my entry into the world, Dr. Ware raised his hand to swat my back side. I grabbed his arm, twisted it a bit, and said  “hold on partner!” After I established that I was not to be reckoned with, I told the nurse to fetch me a Bojangles Chicken Biscuit and a pack of Lucky Strikes.

Pop was a classicist, and once we got back to the farm in Warsaw, he had me read Caesar’s Commentaries on Gaul and later work on my Latin conjugations.Later that night we listened to the Orioles on WBAL and shot craps in the living room. It was a good day, and every day since has been a bit better.

Thank y’all for the birthday wishes.

Special thanks to Dr. Ware, pictured below, for birthing me. I have others to thank, but my precious, angel daughter Ella is taking me out to dinner……