It is April 16th, 2025 and yesterday was my 83rd birthday. I was taken out for a fine dinner with my family, given gorgeous yellow roses (a story behind these) candy, cards, a book that I will treasure and a new frying pan and lid. Wait, you say. All of these things to cherish you and a … frying pan. Well, yes.
I have had for far too may years a frying pan that I use for
a lot of recipes. It was the exact correct size, for one thing, to make two
toasted cheese sandwiches. It had a lid that fits perfectly. It is just the
right depth for fried rice, for sausage, the right length for bacon. A long
list of pluses. But it was just plain worn out and the coating was probably
slowly leaching plastic into our systems. JG has been at me to replace it. We
have, I hasten to add, other frying pans in useful sizes. But this one was my
kitchen helper. I have been procrastinating about replacing it. JG managed,
somehow, to research the pan and yesterday presented me with a beautiful
Paderno pan and matching lid, a much better lid than the old one. He went to a
lot of trouble, I suspect, to find it. A frying pan to cherish, from someone
who knows the exact right thing.
The flowers? My mother loved, above all other blooms, yellow
roses. My dad always got her a big bunch on her combined birthday and wedding
anniversary. Always yellow roses. My girls remembered this and gave me an
opulent bouquet of them, carefully placed in small vials to keep them watered
in transit. They are beautiful and they will last and are, presently, front and
centre in our living room where I can admire them.
The book? Carol Off’s At a Loss for Words, Conversation
in an Age of Rage. A topic and writer that both hit dead on my interests.
The chocolate? Well, yes. In spite of the fact that my scale
tells me that I should not have it. Yum.
The cards from the daughters, inserted here. The card from
my husband… made me shed tears.
One of my nicest treats, a phone call from a cousin. The
topmost treat might have been, though, a conversation with the grandkid who was
walking in Montreal on her way to study, and who seems, although loaded with
exams and work, to be training for and cheerfully contemplating running a 5-k race next month.
My family, in all its glory.
Sounds like a happy day! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt was as happy as you could expect, given the number of years celebrated.
DeleteIt was. I can even contemplate my 84th year with equanimity, and a new frying pan.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking, “What an awful gift, by an insensitive guy,” but you explained it well, and I was wrong. Congrats on being treated so well by the family with all of these gifts. You wrote about it so very well, which is hardly a surprise.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment. And, yes, I feel very lucky to have a close family. As you do. Took work, and we did it. Reaping benefits.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful birthday, and such a caring, noticing family! You are blessed, dear Mary. Happy birthday!
DeleteSue, I am. Truly. They are amazing women, thanks in great part to an amazing father. I feel blessed for sure.
DeleteHappy Birthday, my dear friend. Your gifts are so very thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteOn Mother's Day, my sons always arrive and wash my porch and patio and then my furniture for both, then putting them out once all is dry. The very best gift for me every year.
After all, their presence (even by phone!) is always the primary gift, isn't it?
Hmm. I am going to mention your boys' action, just in passing of course. Although I have already washed my porch stuff once and put it out. Then we had snow and I piled it all up again. Wiping the snow off cleaned it. Today we have brilliant blue sky and sun and maybe, just maybe, the last snow piles will melt. And yes, just having them there is all I really need. But I do not want them to know I need it.
DeleteHappy Birthday and sometimes a new frying pan and chocolate are all we need for gifts:)
ReplyDeleteBelated best wishes, my friend. What a wonderful family day…what it’s all about. May you have many more such days.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Sounds like you were treated well.
ReplyDeleteCould you let me know if you think you hear Chorus Frogs? They are anxious to know of populations.
Aww, what a great birthday. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteIt was, and thanks. Still chomping down chocolate and the roses are holding.
DeleteI would LOVE to have a new frying pan as a birthday gift. What a wonderful family you have.
ReplyDeleteI do, and it is a great pan. I will pass on your comment to JG who was worried about giving me 'kitchen stuff'.
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