This was the birthday I didn't want to have...not because I am getting older, but because I had no interest in celebrating - so unlike me really. As the countdown to the day started, Terry kept asking, "what do you want for your birthday?" I really couldn't answer his question, it was more like - "here's what I
don't want. I don't want a party. I don't want anyone to come over. I don't want anything special. I don't want to go out or do anything. Let's just watch it go by."
He asked me again..."here's what I don't want...but, I pair of new penny loafers would be nice."
And again, he asked..."I don't want a party or any celebration. Just a pair of penny loafers and maybe a Doobie Brothers CD. That would be perfect."
And again..."Nothing special. Just the loafers, the Doobie Brothers and martinis. I want to drink martinis all night long. That is what I want."
Yet, as the day came nearer and nearer, friends starting asking questions. "Everyone is asking what are you doing? What's the plan, what is going on." ~"Not a thing. I'm going to drink martinis on the patio and just have a quiet night. Nothing special."
And that was exactly the day I had. It was fantastic.
Terry went into work later in the morning, so that I could sleep in a bit. LOVELY!
Bunny, my super gal pal, stopped over before she went to work and brought me a couple of presents: martini glasses (which was a god-send since I didn't own any), a bottle of gin and a sweater of hers I had been trying to steal for years. She's such a darling!
Trevor was most agreeable all day and took a miraclously long (3 hours) nap. I got a lot of stuff done around the house and then, didn't know what to do with the extra free time...but I figured it out.
Terry made his way home, we discussed dinner ("what do you want for your b-day dinner?" 'I don't care...what do you want?') and so it was decided, dinner provided by Ali Baba, the world's most incredible donner kebabs. Terry was a sweetie and took Trevor with him, and that is when I poured the first of my martinis (nice and dry and dirrrrty), put on my Doobie Brothers CD (can't believe Terry found one!) and sat on the patio and enjoyed my perfectly quiet, relaxed and serene time.
Around 7pm, Martina, my dear friend who I do not get to see nearly enough, stopped by. What a surprise! I hadn't talked to her in ages and was so pleased she had thought of me enough to stop by to see how the day was going. Awesome!
By the time I was making my second martini, Rosie and Juergen came through the door...then Carmen (my Schatz) and Siggi arrived...and behind them, Claudia (my super Schatz) and Mishy and Michael Jr. Those devil friends of mine! Just wouldn't let my day pass without a bit of love and celebration.
And of course, Bunny and Rob finished up the circle and everyone who I would have wanted to be here, was (that is, everyone who lives in Germany). Amazing! The martinis were flowing (I think I was the only one drinking them), neuer wine arrived at the house, along with the zwiebel kuchen, the "carmentini" was invented and a good time was had by all...especially me!
What really turned the day around, in spite of all the lovely friends who had come over, emailed me and left messages on the phone, was pulling out my Tarot cards. I hadn't touch them in, literally, years. I shuffled, half heartedly, and pulled out one card...the card for the day, the card leading off my 37th year, the card that would say so much... ... ... and I pulled the card of cards - Justice. The Libra card, MY card. That one little act, that one little card...it restored my faith in the righteous, all the goodness, fairness and true justice in this world.
What a totally superb non-birthday!
