Celebrating a birthday social-distancing style
Social-distancing. A word that not-so-many days ago, wasn’t even a part of our vocabulary. It’s a word that I wish we didn’t need. I wish this because, to be honest…I think our world has enough barriers to connecting with others without having to purposefully distance ourselves from each other. On the other hand, the golden lining that I have seen from this time in our lives is that social-distancing seems to be a really incorrect term. I think a term that describes what we should be doing right now is physical-distancing. We can physically separate ourselves, and still connect with our people. In many ways, during this time, it feels like that is actually happening - like we are reaching out socially to our neighbors, friends and fellow humans even more than we ever have. And…that is incredibly beautiful to see.
“I hope we all have a time during this season that we can connect with the people we love in a way that we never have before. If that hasn’t happened for you personally, then perhaps you could be the one to make it happen for someone else. It is such a special moment - a shared moment of joy in the midst of a global crisis.”
I have seen so many posts about drive-by birthday greetings so that friends wouldn’t spend their day celebrating alone in their homes. Maintaining a safe distance, friends came together to celebrate in a way that is possible during these times. I love the creativity!
Today just so happens to be my birthday. And, because of the current world situation, I too celebrated in a way that I never have before and hopefully never will need to again: social-distancing style, or rather…physical-distancing style.
You see, I had other fabulous plans. Originally, Plan A was that friends would be visiting from the States and we would be enjoying the glorious Spring weather touring around Uppsala and Stockholm and then hopping on a flight to Amsterdam on Monday for a few days of touring: our plans included The Resistance Museum, the Anne Frank House, seeing all the windmills and wooden shoes, and of course searching out the best Dutch Apple Pie. When that travel plan seemed to be fading because of current travel restrictions, I came up with a Plan B. Plan B was that a small group of local friends would join me, Dennis and the girls out to dinner at a favorite local Middle-Eastern restaurant here in Uppsala. Soon, Plan B also broke into pieces...and so, the alternative was to spend the day at home with my little family. I love my little family, so it would still be a really nice day!
However, to my surprise, there was a Plan C in the works that I didn't even know about! In the middle of the afternoon today, my husband and girls came upstairs to wake me from a lovely nap, telling me, “There is someone at the door for you!”
My first response, “Really?!?”
“Yes!” Was the unanimous reply.
“Just one person?” I inquired…trying to pull myself from a sleepy fog.
“Not just one. Maybe two,” my husband replied.
“Are there more than two? Or, only two?” I pressed for more information.
Apparently, I have the makings of a trial lawyer upon first awakening. I need all the details to be able to make proper decisions - which today included whether or not I would make it to the front door and open it.
I hurried down the stairs, silently congratulating myself for waking earlier this morning and taking a shower, putting on makeup and actually being dressed for visitors - even though I never expected any - because…Corona.
Also, somewhere in my newly-awakened-from-a-nap state, I had the wherewithal to pull up video on my phone and open the door with the camera rolling. I was so happy with this last-minute decision, because the happy birthday song - AND DANCE - on our front porch was priceless and one that I want to remember forever. After the song and dance (which was a gift in itself!), I opened the beautifully wrapped gift they brought. What a surprise - a Swedish waffle maker that I had spotted and had been dreaming about!
Perhaps this speaks to my age…that I am dreaming of small kitchen appliances. However, in my defense, I would like to point out that my friend’s son who recently turned ten asked for an air fryer for his birthday. Sooo…I think I am solid in requesting a waffle maker. At any rate, my husband had been in on this gift idea, because I had sent him a picture of this dreamy Swedish waffle maker about a month ago. That was actually a great move, because when my friends asked him if he thought I would like a waffle maker for my birthday - that was a super easy answer for him (and included lots of proverbial bonus points for the husband). In case you were wondering what makes a Swedish waffle maker so special - they make the most delicious, crispy, heart-shaped waffles. Swoon.
We had so much fun celebrating on the front porch. After we all chatted and laughed, took pictures, and gave socially-distant appropriate air hugs, we said goodbye.
The afternoon lulled along, until a few hours later, Millie announced, “There are MORE people at our door!!”
I couldn’t even believe it. Two more lovely friends were standing, and singing to me, with birthday flowers in hand. What a treat!
Friends - they are priceless. Friends who show up to surprise you at your front door during quarantine-ish, are ones that you just want to hold on to forever. And ever...and ever.
I hope we all have a time during this season that we can connect with the people we love in a way that, perhaps, we never have before. If that hasn’t happened for you personally, then perhaps you could be the one to make it happen for someone else. It could even be bringing a bright bit of hope to a complete stranger’s day. It is such a special moment - a shared moment of joy in the midst of a global crisis.
A time to laugh - when the world says we should cry.
A time to celebrate - when so many things don’t seem to warrant celebrating right now.
I am so thankful for my friends who brought this joy right to my front door. Friendship can’t be quarantined - we can laugh and celebrate despite the circumstances.
Loving each one of you who made me feel so very special and celebrated on my birthday today.
LOVE lasts.
LOVE always and forever WINS.
