Yesterday was so nice ...

June 24, 2008

Phillip and I don't exchange gifts, but he always remembers special days and does his best to make them extra happy for me.

Only once did Phillip break our "nothing store bought" rule. When I first came into his life and he was wooing and winning me (you all know that routine) he gave me a beautiful gold coin from a collection he'd been working on for years, and then he made two trips (in his wheelchair) to a local jewelry store to pick out the round gold thing to set the coin into and the chain to hang it from ... I cherish this necklace because I know what careful thought went into its creation. Do I wear it? Absolutely not! It's way too nice. I keep it tucked away in a satin box in the bottom of my underwear drawer.

I lost that beautiful necklace when Phillip and I made the move to Tennessee. Didn't tell Phillip. Quietly went about tearing the apartment to pieces, searching. When I had convinced myself it was gone forever, I confided in Karen and asked her to check the attic. Among the items stored up there was a box of old baby clothes and souvenirs. Maybe ... just maybe ... Up the ladder and into the box went my Karen. She had a good time sifting through relics, but she found no gold. Back downstairs again, the necklace was finally located. In the bottom of my underwear drawer.

My birthday was so nice ...

My brother called to tell me how embarrassed he was to have a 72-year-old sister. He went on to tell me what a burden I'd been to him all my life long. That kind of talk is code for "I love you." I've been hearing those insults, and thriving on them, forever.

My Tony didn't call, but that's okay. He didn't know it was my birthday. He was busy watching a leather sofa fly through cyberspace to land in some lady's living room in Indiana, and watching a $3,000.00 check come sailing back through cyberspace to land in his bank account in Dallas. I understand. Well, I understand that my son is making a good living selling furniture. I don't understand how he can run a furniture store without a building filled with furniture and customers wandering up and down the aisles.

Patti sent a card. The front said, "I know. I know. You have five children and you love them all equally ... blah. blah. blah ..." Inside the card - in a whisper - it said, "but you know and I know the real truth, and that's all that matters."

Carmen sent an email telling me she loved me and wishing me a happy day. She told me she was sending a homemade gift and it would arrive in a few days.

Karen came by and brought a card with the picture of a six-year-old girl, smiling, two front teeth missing, and bangs cut up to her hairline. The verse said, "I'm glad you're only my mother and no longer my beautician." Well ... maybe I did get those bangs a little too short back then, but they were even. Finally. And even is important. Right?

Honey Gail sent an email early. Later in the day I got a phone call too. She's coming over tomorrow night. Staying with Karen three nights and two days. I'm hoping my bathroom gets papered during some of that time.

Nita called to wish me happy birthday. She wants to come to Murfreesboro before the summer is over. Getting the details ironed out won't be easy. Her health is too poor to allow much travel, and my own health problems make firming up plans difficult. But ... It's been a long time since I've seen Nita. I'd like to put my arms around her one more time ... and touch her face.

Joey sent an email. My best friend in all the world ... through all these years ... good times and bad. She holds steady. Always there. I love her so ...

My birthday was so nice ...

I feel richly blessed.