I just cruised up to my 56th birthday, the sixes always seeming like the other side of a grandiose milestone. Like the olive left in the bottom of a martini or the pie crust after all the filling is gone. A six always signifies another milestone is lurking in the dark up ahead, so it seemed fitting that our family dinner to celebrate my birthday happened on the last night of my 55th year.
Son picked Daughter up in the city and we met at our favorite sushi place, our family setting for countless celebrations amid shrimp tempura and pinwheels of beef negimaki. Husband and I had just booked a rather spontaneous vacation and were eager to tell the kids about it. We had been talking about driving across Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh. I’m not sure why we would be doing that, but Husband said he’d never been to Pittsburgh and I had to confess that I hadn’t either. Then the other night he asked out of the blue, “What about Ireland? Would you rather go there?” And I thought, hmmm, Pittsburgh, Ireland, Pittsburgh, Ireland. That’s a tough one.
DTR: Wow, Ireland; that is so amazing. What made you pick Ireland?
OSV: We can always go to Pittsburgh.
The kids looked at each other.
DTR: Whatever that means.
OSV: Do you want me to explain?
SON: I’m indifferent.
We came to gift opening time, and as always, Husband nailed my style with beautiful freshwater pearls on a gold chain. Daughter hit another bullseye with a way cool bakelite bracelet and hoop earrings. She also presented Husband with some made to order dark chocolate in anticipation of his birthday later in the month. Son picked up the check and we were all feeling splendid.
HUSBAND: Everyone ready to go or should we sit a little longer?
SON: I’m indifferent.
OSV: Is that the word of the day, indifferent?
DTR: No, the word of the day is farce. He said it about ten times in the car on the way here. “That’s a farce,” “What do you think this is; a farce?” Like that.
SON: (turning to me) You said a great word earlier. Spry. Excellent usage.
OSV: Thanks. I’m a big fan of words that somehow evoke their meaning. Personally, I like facetious. Try saying it without sounding facetious.
We all practiced facetious.
SON: You know what I like? Words that can go either way, like breathtaking. People think you’re reacting positively when you say breathtaking, but you could really mean something totally different.
DTR: Outrageous is like that.
SON: I love outrageous.
As we left the restaurant, I thanked everyone for my gifts and we all thanked Son for treating us to dinner.
Daughter leaned in to Husband and me as we walked to the cars.
DTR: Perfect timing on the thank you. I thanked him for the ride here and he said, “What took you so long? We parked ten minutes ago.”
We always try to be spry with the thank you.
Daughter’s Featured Fotos run The Gamut
imminent disaster bird quilt
anthony lister, lyons wier gallery
easter dog
shadows in israel
Note to Son: Yummy thanx for the Edible Arrangements delivery waiting by the door when we got home. It was breathtaking (in a good way).