I still cannot believe it … 81 … me!!! This last year has certainly done its best to make me more aware of my age. I am in an assisted living complex; I have a brace on my leg with the broken kneecap; I am walking with a walker; everyone around me has white hair … or maybe it’s gray. Of course, my birthday happened before the “broken kneecap” episode … so a walker had yet to be part of my life!!! How did this year’s birthday compare with last year’s … let me think!!!
Last year, I was … on my birthday … in our Louisiana home … Pete was at Belle Maison … a nursing home facility in Hammond. I had been so happy there was room for him in Belle Maison … only, after a bit, I was not happy he was in Belle Maison. By my birthday, last year, we had decided to move Pete and me to Denver. I am sure we had tickets for November 9th, last year. I know I spent my birthday afternoon with Pete at Belle Maison. Not sure what I did that evening! Knowing me, it could have been “with a Bloody-Mary .”
Now, this year. First, Craig and Stephie took me out for brunch. We have this very nice place in the Belmar Shopping Area … named “T-Street.” It does have a very good menu with mostly mexican-influenced food — and it is really good food. But, even more notable than that, you can buy “Bloody Marys” and/or “Mimosas” with “infinite” refills … well, not really … but I certainly have not reached the max allowed!!! And, Craig, Stephie, and I just ate and drank and talked. It was so nice. And, we were in an outside patio!!! I could not have asked for a better Birthday present!!!
Still this year! Ben and Carol, my brother and sister, both sent beautiful flowers. I asked them to this year. Flowers add a beautiful touch to a room … and, I wanted real large, beautiful bouquets … these were. Of course, the last days of the flowers saw me in the hospital for my broken kneecap!!! (Just thinking … Ben must have sent flowers last year, too.) For this birthday, I had asked my cousin, Charlotte, to send artificial plants … and she found the perfect plants … in perfect pots. One is among my buffaloes, one is on a high set of shelves as you enter our apartment, and one is on the desk with the South African rug.
And, I received many “Happy Birthdays” from fellow residents. That was so nice. No matter what, this year, I was sitting in our lovely apartment knowing that I could put together a foursome for bridge if I wanted!!! Birthdays are good … even if I am 81!!!
Of course, the next Friday. after my birthday, I break my kneecap … and Saturday morning, I am off to the hospital!!! I have a little while longer with this brace. I think all is OK. I once wrote in this BLOG that when I am hurt … I think of myself first … instead of Pete. And I do. The staff is practically taking full care of Pete. And, I find myself, now, in an assisted living complex with the staff helping ME dress and shower!!!
This surely brings about a lot of reflection.
Love y’all.
Old Fashion with a Twist 