A Second Pandemic Birthday
When Josh’s birthday rolled around this year, we joked that everyone gets a pandemic birthday. His birthday was the last birthday we celebrated out-and-about before everything shut down, and he got to experience a celebration of nothingness.
But here I am celebrating my second pandemic birthday. (Lucky me!) We just passed the two-week window post-vaccine, so I could behave as if the pandemic was over. But that’s not how we’re operating over here. We’re careful.
I’ve said it before, but I’ve been thinking about Spalding Gray’s Impossible Vacation a lot during the pandemic because, like the main character, plans keep getting thwarted this year. And in many ways, I’ve allowed them to be thwarted because I couldn’t come up with a better reason than “I am burned out and need something good right now.”
Maybe it was taking a break this past weekend, but it feels like that is a good enough reason, full stop. I may have limits on how I can celebrate my birthday, but there have always been limits on how I can celebrate my birthday. For instance, even if I want a parade down the main street of town led by a swarm of ducks, I am not allowed to shut down traffic OR gather up huge swarms of ducks. So. There is that.
But I can force my family into a yearly game of Yahtzee without complaint and read novels and eat something delicious. We will try for a beach day soon. I will buy myself the new McCartney cookbook. And that sounds super okay. Even if I turn out to be the only family member with two pandemic birthdays due to the caseloads in the area.
9 comments
Happy birthday, my friend. I always remember your birthday because it’s also my anniversary … glad that you’re going to celebrate in a way that feels “super okay.” Maybe there will be donuts in your future. <3
Happy birthday!
So far my older daughter and I have each celebrated two pandemic birthdays and this one was far better than the first. Even though we are still operating the same way we were a year ago for the most part, we are not under a stay at home order so life feels less scary. And we know which restaurants feel safe to us so we could get carry out without the pressure of last year’s unknownness.
My younger daughter will have her second pandemic birthday in July because, no matter the rules at the time, my kids won’t be eligible for the vaccine until at least the fall. So nothing changes for us. Luckily for her all of her grandparents (and parents) are fully vaccinated so she will at least get an outdoor, small, safe party. And hopefully by the time my husband’s birthday rolls around in December we will have put this mostly behind us.
Happy Birthday! I hope you take your beach day soon!
Happy Birthday! I feel you, as I celebrated my second pandemic birthday in March: the first one was just as things were shutting down in my state, and this past one was my 50th, which was an even bigger bummer because I’d originally planned a special trip to mark that milestone. Ah well.
Your plan sounds very relaxing and enjoyable. 🙂
Happy birthday, Mel! Dh has had two pandemic birthdays too. Hopefully by the time mine rolls around again (in January) life will be back to some semblance of normalcy. I hope you’re having a great day! <3
Pandemic or not, there is still so much to celebrate for making another trip around the sun this past year! So very glad you were born, Mel. Happiest of birthdays to you! Sent with a ton of love!!
Happy birthday, Mel! I will forever think of you marching in a fuzzy duck parade. Best image ever! I hope you get a beach day soon, and this is the last pandemic birthday. Huzzah for full vaccinated status!
Happy birthday Mel! I know it’s likely not how you envisioned spending your birthday, but I hope that you have a wonderful day filled with great memories.
Happy Birthday! I’m sure a second pandemic birthday wasn’t on your wish list. But your plans sound awesome. Enjoy!!