Yep, another one. I’m 82 this year and it was a fun birthday.
It started of with a luncheon with 3 friends at a waterfront restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. The best surprise was when one of the ladies wrote a very warm, heartfelt poem which described me. I was touched. It was so considerate. And, of course, 2 bottles of wine later, we read and re-read it.
Then on to the actual day. Using public transport, I finally arrived at the restaurant I chose, The Rusty Pelican. The bus dropped me off on Rickenbacker Causway and I stared at the 6 lanes of traffic I had to cross without a light. Traffic was heavy.
As it happens, a young black man saw me and motioned me to him. He grabbed my left hand and said, “Come on.” With his right hand he held up one lane of traffic and he pulled me out on the the road. My grip became stronger on his hand and my heartbeat increased. I was really scared crossing the road by walking in front of cars streaming toward us. But they stopped, thankfully.
Then he repeated the exercise for the next lanes of traffic. Surprisingly, they all stopped and let us advance. Now my hand was threatening of break his fingers, my grip was so strong. He repeated the process until we were on the other side of the causeway, when we released hands. I shook my head in relief. He laughed and walked away as I threw him kisses.
So now, to find the restaurant, which turned out to be about a 1/2 mile past the marina. Another kind young man, suggested that I take the employee van. He even offered his seat to me while he searched for the van. I declined the seat but eagerly accepted the van, which arrived in a few minutes and dropped me off at the entrance to the Rusty Pelican. I’m here at last.
My son and his family arrived, including the support dog which goes everywhere with them to assist my 16 year old autistic grandson.
The dog, Charlie, is light gray and my daughter -in-law sprayed “Happy Birthday Mimi” on its back with black paint. Cute. The word spread and many folks wanted pictures.
After settling at an outdoor table and placing our order, we toasted each other in recognition of the day. 82!! How did that happen?
Suddenly a young woman appeared with her phone in hand. She leaned toward me and asked, “Can I take your pictures?” Startled I looked around and a number of folks were staring at us. I asked her where she was f rom and we exchanged details. Chris and his wife, Vilma, stared, gobsmacked. Obviously the woman thought I was someone important and treated me with star qualaity reverence. She took her picture, showed me, thanked me, and retreated to her inside table.
The lunch was great and my grandson was a typical 16 years old, a bit belligerent that he was forced to comed when he would rather be watching TV. But he softened as the lunch progressed and made conversation with me. I love that kid. And my son and daughter-in-law are always good to be with. We caught up on all of our individual activities and chatted away.
So time to go home and my son gave me a ride to the metro rail. Then I progressed to the Tri-Rail. Seats were limited on the train so I sat next to an elderly man and across from a black gentlemen. After settling, I glanced up and the man across from me said, “You’re beautiful.” ???? My hearing is not so great, so I thought, what did he say? He repeated it again. “You are beautiful.” There was no mistaking in now. I didn’t know what to say or do. Finally, I just said, “Thank you.” The man was very, very good looking, and his body indicated a lot of visits to the gym. Between his eyes, his high checkbones, his straight nose and his muscle definition, I was agog. And flatttered. He said something else but his stop came and he took his bike and got off and I didn’t need to respond. His accent was from the islands, with a French tilt. A very interesting gentlemen. And a beautiful compliment to me.
Next form of transport was an Uber and finally, I’m home with all my cards and gifts. And waiting for me by the door was a huge arrangement of beautiful flowers from my family in Pennsylvania. I read the card and placed the bouquet on my coffee table. Gorgeous.
And tha was my birthday, 2024. Interesting, unusual, pleasant, flattering, and emotionally fulfilling. I felt so loved by family.
A birthday to remember.