Another birthday

My son was in Vienna on Monday night, so it was my birthday there six hours before it was my birthday here. I was in choir rehearsal when his WhatsApp came in, wishing me happy returns of the day and sending me a picture of himself smiling. He never lets me take pictures of him, so this was a big concession.

My friend Jackie was in town just for the day, passing through from Cape Town, South Africa where she had been vacationing. Another friend, Lisa, came over in the evening, my husband made dinner for us all, and we chatted and laughed and sang happy birthday and ate cake and toasted my day with a good Malbec. It was all very low-key and easygoing. I was with people with whom I felt completely myself, and with that, another birthday was tucked under my belt.

My son gets back on Friday evening, my daughter is coming to town for the weekend, and my niece will be here too, so we'll celebrate again in some small way, maybe nothing more than a ritual birthday tequila shot. And now, back to work. We are always grateful for work.