Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Good birthday

See that exquisite photograph? It's a Carl Jackson original, gifted to me for my birthday by the artist himself. How amazing is that?? How did he know those are the colors I grew up with, and still see in my dreams?

I had a beautiful birthday in every regard. My man made me a pair of sumptuous cheesecakes, one with a yummy blackberry topping and the other with a salted caramel topping, and both with divine graham cracker crusts. He said I was his muse. My daughter and her boyfriend came over, and he made his ridiculously delicious ribs for dinner, my husband made roasted vegetables and scalloped potatoes as accompaniments, and my niece made dangerously smooth margaritas for all.

One of the very best moments of the day was when our doorbell rang, and I opened it to find my son and his love standing in the hallway, six feet away, blowing me kisses and laughing with delight at my surprise. "Just came to put eyes on you and wish you happy birthday in person," my son said. I felt so insanely happy to see them, even though I couldn't hug them. I confess I was tempted. My thoughts unspooled something like: How could I catch anything from my beautiful children. It's against nature. And even if I did, I would accept it. But I didn't hug them, nor would my son have let me, so I contented myself with the fact that he drove all the way here on my birthday to give me his love in person, from six feet away. I got to put eyes on him.

At four in the afternoon, I joined a Zoom call with three of my friends, one of whom is sick with covid. So is her husband, and so is their son, who attended that progressive little farm school with my daughter. He's an oncology social worker now. His dad, who is a rheumatologist, has had the gnarliest case of the virus, but he seems to be on the mend. After he tested positive, he asked if his wife should get tested, too, since she was also showing symptoms. His doctor said, "No, just assume she has it." So much for accurate infection counts. Their son, who may have had it first, did manage to get tested and should have his results this week. My friend, his mother, looked worn and tired, after a week of continuous headaches, a sore throat, and low-grade fevers. She said the hardest to bear was the depth of fatigue. But she, too, is through the worst of it, for which I am thankful.

Someone on Twitter asked people to respond yes or no to the question of whether they knew someone personally who has had covid. Below a long string of people answering yes, this person then tweeted, "I don't believe any of you." Trump cultist? Russian bot? I tried not to become infuriated, to let it wash over me and flow away. I was busy having a good birthday.

My son has expressed the opinion that we're taking a risk consorting with our daughter, but then he said, "Whatever, you're all grown ups." I am at peace with the decision for our two households to be connected during this covid lock down, though I confess that every time our "quarantine five" gets together, which turns out to be most weekends, I monitor all our symptoms more closely the following week. So far we are all okay. May we all continue to be well—all of us here, all of you there. Love.

17 comments:

  1. So very glad you had a good birthday! Was thinking about you and wishing you a beautiful day. Sounds like it was wonderful in every sort of way -- and a visit from your son! I'm imagining your surprise and delight. Happy belated -- may it be a happy and healthy year!

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  2. I'm really, really glad you had a good birthday and especially that you got to lay eyes on that boy of yours and his love. You will never forget that.
    It's so hard to know what to do. You can get tested here now and thus, should feel safer in at least hugging your loved ones but what if you are exposed between the test and the hugs? I don't know. I don't want to be stupid either way. Meanwhile, we do the best we can.
    I love you, woman. I sure am glad you were born.

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  3. sounds like a wonderful birthday and what a glorious surprise your son gave you. I still don't know anyone personally though my friend/neighbor has a cousin that had it and someone else in the family. but yeah, I saw that tweet and the idiot who thinks everyone was lying. I think I'm safe, as safe as any of us can be, living in the low population rural county and town but I don't take anything for granted. we are staying home and wear masks when we do venture out. stay safe!

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  4. Wonderful to hear about your birthday and its surprises -- the gift of the photograph with the colors that are so close to your heart and the birthday visit from your son and his love. Good company! Good food!

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  5. Your birthday celebration sounds like the very best loving time. I am so glad your son showed up so he could safely stand six feet away and wish you a loving happy birthday. Such a beautiful photo too!

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  6. What a glorious gift from an immensely talented photographer! His pictures on Instagram bring me joy. Happiest of birthdays! Hope your afflicted friends all recover quickly and completely
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  7. Happy Belated Birthday Greetings to you!

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  8. Seeing them in person makes such a difference! Glad your birthday was a good one!

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  9. I'm glad you had a good birthday and got to see your son, even from a distance. The photo is lovely and the cheesecakes sound mouthwatering. Stay safe my friend.

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  10. I'm glad your birthday was terrific and what a BEAUTIFUL photo -- and, as you said, perfect for you.

    I'm so glad you got a visit from your son, even if it was a socially distanced one.

    I could tell from that question that it was asked by a COVID doubter! I just don't know what to think about such people. People will believe what they want to believe, I suppose. We still have people in England who think it's all a hoax caused by 5G cell phone technology!

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  11. What lovely surprises you had. Stay safe and well.

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  12. What a temptation to hug your son! But still, you all did the right thing. I'm glad your birthday was so delightful and wonderful and oh, that photograph!

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  13. Your b-day celebration sounds outstanding. Great food and drinks surrounded by the ones you love. A joyous occasion for all. I hope you all forgot about the virus, even for just a little while. A happy escape, in celebration of you. Nothing better... Susan

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  14. How beautiful to have an eyes on visit from your son. He came all that way to give you that gift, and he loved it too. Happy Birthday.

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  15. How lovely of your son to come and see you on your Birthday. I bet that was your favourite gift. Well our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had the virus and it was 50/50 whether he'd live. I think that scared the UK into staying home more than anything else!

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  16. Happy Belated Birthday! I'm glad to read that your family is well!

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  17. Yours is one of the regular Blogs I read, and so treasure. I was so glad to read of your Birthday celebration and of your "Son sighting!" I am hoping all is well as we come to a week since you posted.
    Fervently hoping all is well with you and yours.
    S

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