Happy Birthday, Mom

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Today is Mom’s birthday. She would have turned 54. I’m no more sad today than I am any other day though. I’d imagine as the years go on, this day will become noticeably sad. And that will be because the days before it and the days after it won’t be sad like it is now. And then, as the years go on and on, maybe it will become less sad. Less and less, until it’s not sad anymore. It will be happy! Because birthdays are supposed to be happy.

I was going to bake mom’s favorite Chocolate Chocolate Cake today. But of course, the day’s agenda didn’t afford me the time. I should have planned better. Should have made it yesterday. I’ll make it as soon as there’s time. Not tomorrow. Maybe Friday.

Normally I would have stayed up extra late last night decorating the kitchen. Then, Mom would have woken up, crept down the hall for breakfast, and… SURPRISE! Streamers hanging from the ceiling. Ribboned newspaper blanketing the island countertop. Little balloons filled with my lung air scattered about. The balloon colors popping against the black and white of the newspaper. Mom always made sure to let me know how delighted she was waking up to that. Later in the evening, Dad would come home from work with a bouquet of flowers. And then we’d go out for dinner. Mom, Dad, Rich and me. The four of us.

So today, I had lunch with Emily Ail and Grandma Reiter in honor of Mom. La Provence in Lake Grove. Always a good choice. I remember one day, a couple of years ago, Mom and I were running some errands around town. We were headed home, cruising down Boones Ferry, and SCREECH! Mom braked and cranked a hard right into the La Provence parking lot. “What are we doing?” I asked. “Having lunch!” Mom declared. I told her we didn’t have to eat out (trying to save a little cash). “I know,” she said, “I want to. Sometimes it’s nice to do things you don’t have to do.”

My mom. Special lady she was.

Right now, I’m at Common Grounds Coffeehouse. Again. This time because I’m burning time while Dad is getting a massage at Dosha Spa & Salon. A leftover Chanukah present from Rich and Alison. I came with him because we’re going to meet up with Rich afterward for a birthday dinner in Mom’s honor. Lot’s of celebrations today. Jee, you’d think everyone would be happy, happy, happy! But, all is calm. Go figure.