Jun 08 2005
Bad Birthdays
I really need to do a better job with my birthdays. Recently, they have gone from bad to worse:
The One After Dad Died
My first birthday after Dad died was also my 40th birthday, a landmark birthday for most girls. Farewell, lovely youth! Hello, getting older and older. Dad and I had planned to go to Italy together so I could be in Pompeii and Herculaneum on my birthday, thus being surrounded by things that were older than Me. Instead, I stayed home and rode the bummer.
The One in the Hospital
Last year, I spent my birthday in the hospital, with a friend who needed particularly nasty and invasive tests, a ride home, and room service while recovering. Though I was truly glad to be able to help, it was not at all festive.
The One with the Hospital and Too Much Driving
This year, Mom had taken a turn for the worse just days before my birthday, so we all flew to her bedside (literally, in the case of my sister Beth, who lives in England). But she swerved out of it with the enthusiasm of a kid who finally gets to borrow the car for the night. She was comatose the first few days I was here, but now has recovered to the point that she is demanding to be taken shopping. While I can certainly understand this, it isn’t practical when you’re unable to stand or walk, need intravenous morphine or dilaudid every 2 or 3 hours, and have a catheter, along with broken ribs from the sheer force of the cancer at work. She also has tumors in her brain and liver. The Reaper calls her “The One Who Got Away”.
After spending the morning with Mom, I got to drive 3 hours to Santa Rosa, wait 2 hours in the blazing sun for the movers to bring more stuff to Mom’s storage (which took all of 10 minutes), and then got to drive the 3 hours back. Not at all festive, and quite exhausting.
I think the answer is to stop having (or noticing) my birthdays. Maybe I won’t get any older. I’m certainly not any wiser.
7 Responses to “Bad Birthdays”
Man, I just feel plain shitty to hear that. I’m not much of an optimist but please do keep your chin up, check out a little picture we put up for you and next year, let’s hope for a swinging birthday. You deserve it.
Come play up here on your birthday! Mine is the 22nd so we can have a joint day!
I feel ya. This year I’m determined to have a good birthday. So I’m going to drag a buncha friends to the ballpark to watch our New Nats get beat by somebody.
And I’m not even a big baseball fan. Go figure. It’s more about the company, anyway.
Hope things just keep getting better.
Thanks, everyone! Mike & Jennifer….well, you know.
I’m so sorry I didn’t call you on your birthday, and that it was so shitty. If you want, I’ll share my b-day with you this year. Come to Detroit, we’ll go to a baseball game and maybe a nice concert. I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant and introduce you to the most fabulous desserts ever.
I think Mom’s laughing at the Grim Reaper and the doctors.
Happy Belated Birthday, for what it’s worth!
It sounds like you need a Suzy-day, and those don’t have to be scheduled solely for birthdays. A day of full-fledged pampering and relaxing. You deserve it!
*hugs*
Oh Suzy! Happy birthday my dear 🙂 I’m sorry that it wasn’t festive but atleast remind yourself that you look damn good, you have excellent taste and you are a damn good friend. And have a few drinks – that is the least Mr. Churchill would’ve done.