Energy

I asked my grandmother for some Alan Watts books on my birthday a few weeks ago. She and Grandad called me and were taken aback when I answered. I was in between the two movies of a double feature of French whodunnits from the 1950s. I'd gone alone and was, at the time of their call, nursing a French 75 at one of those bougie bars I like. Great cocktails and all that. They sang me Happy Birthday, which usually comes as a recorded message. Part of me is sad I don't have the message and part of me is glad I heard it in real time. 

I've heard a little bit of Watts' recorded lectures. I believe the first one was on happiness. ("Happiness is all I need right now" lyrics from the song Go to Mexico by Cassandra Wilson come to mind right now.) I'm interested in reading his works and I thought my grandmother, being a retired English teacher, would appreciate the request. My grandfather appreciated it too, mentioning that he had read some amount of his work.

I later learned Alan Watts shares my birthday, January 6th 1915. When my grandmother texted me that she was sending some of his books out tonight in the mail I recounted this fact.

Me: Turns out, Alan Watts shares my birthday. 1915.

Grandma: Thanks . . .I don't do much with Facebook.  BUT sharing a birthday  with Watts is MAJOR.Do you believe in reincarnation?

Me: Well, I'm not sure. But energy transfers, that I know.

Grandma: ME. TOO.

I share my birthday with many others, living and dead, but it's nice to think someone whose ideas you can connect with may be connected to you at a deeper way.