Saturday, February 07, 2009

Happy Birthday, to me

It was my birthday last week: I'm 36 (yes, Beck, you may be surprised all over again: I'm still one year younger than you.) We had a tremendously big party, I wore a tiara; there were chicken wings, there was bourbon. It was the best of times ... it ... was ...

Hey. Wait a minute. I've got nothing to complain about.


[unless you count getting REALLY WINDED in front of everyone while blowing out candles]

My friend L, possessor of the ears into which I pour such bitterisms as "I forget how to have fun," and "We have no friends," and "I go to bed before the bars even open," and assorted such self-pity, grabbed my arm and leaned in close to make herself heard over the mid-party din: "Look!" she said "You have all kinds of friends! What a wonderful party."

I do. And it was. More than 30 people came, the most our house has ever held, by a long shot. They admired the woodwork. They brought thoughtful gifts. They laughed and teased and ate cake. I snuck them, two by two, up the back stairs for the 'secret tour' while Munchkin slept at the front of the house. It turns out not only that we have friends, but that we have groups of friends--professor friends, friends from Pynchon's office, local friends from bygone days and contexts, faraway friends who have moved near in new circumstances, neighbourhood friends from both our addresses.

[The morning after recycling bin]

Recently, I gave the finger to 2008 and hoped that 2009 would bring happier days, an end to complaining and panic at long last. So far, so good. We have wonderful friends, willing to come out in a blistering snowstorm. We have the financial wherewithal to put together a big bash, to hire a bartender. We work together so well as a family that childcare and party planning were so seamlessly coordinated. We have a big house, with plenty of room to share. Our hearts are open and our smiles, finally, extend all across our faces, from chins to tiaras, erasing our worry lines in a fit of laughing.

2009--and 36--is going to be awesome.


[I mean, there's plenty of cake, cards, and goofy grins, right?]

14 comments:

S said...

YAY!

I'm so glad for you, that the tide has turned.

Happy Birthday, friend.

Beck said...

Happy birthday to YOooooooUUUU! (and now you are THE SAME AGE AS ME. Welcome to the 36 Club! I plan on staying here for a while.)

Kyla said...

Yay!! 2009 has been pretty good to me, too.

Happy birthday, Mimi!

Melanie D. said...

Happy Birthday! Your party sounds fun, exactly the way to celebrate the passing of another year.
I don't know how I missed your last post, but I did...and it was hilarious!

ewe are here said...

Happy Birthday!

And I too hope that 2009 will be a brilliant year all around.

Jenifer said...

Happy Birthday! And best wishes for a wonderful year, it sounds like you are off to a great start.

I can't believe I am older than you and Beck! I will be 38 this week. Ahhhhh the panic.

cinnamon gurl said...

Happy Birthday, Mimi! So glad things are going well.

Cloud said...

Happy Birthday! I moan about going to bed at an hour that is earlier than when we used to head out, too, but I mostly moan to Hubby. Who just laughs and says we can stay up later if I want.

Amy Urquhart said...

Happy birthday! I'm glad you clarified what was going on in that first shot, I thought for a moment you'd had too much wine...

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday. It sounds like you're already having a great year.

Mandy said...

Congratulations on your birthday! Like wine, women better with age.

:)

the new girl said...

Happy, happy!

You look beautiful. And Munchkin looks munchable as ever...
xo

Run ANC said...

Happy Belated Birthday! :-)

(Maybe you should practice blowing out candles before you do it next year...??)

kittenpie said...

that's terrific! Everyone should have good birthdays. I mean, it's really the only day that should be all about you, you know? Happy belated, mimi.