Fourteen years ago, we celebrated Brainy Bird’s first birthday with Baby Bird’s Birthday Brunch. (Sub Brainy Bird’s first name for Bird; they both start with a “B”.) It was my first birthday celebration as a parent, so of course everything was a little the top. The day was a special day. My sister hosted, and my Dad’s brothers were there. They knew how important their being there was. Just six months earlier, my dad had passed away. It meant the world to me that they were there with us.
I look back and laugh. The uncles were unimpressed with our fancy brunch spread of food, and they scoffed at our mimosas (orange juice with a splash of inexpensive champagne). It wasn’t even noon yet when one of the uncles sent my brother on a beer run. My best friend from high school was there, and we all made a day of it hanging out together as family and friends.
Brainy Bird loved all of the attention, and of course he loved his first taste of cake. He was one chubby baby back then. Mom was healthy, and she was loving her new title in life as Oma. This was one of those days that I would like to live again.
Where did fourteen years go?
This weekend, in special memory of what was once a birthday brunch for a baby, we will again celebrate Brainy Bird’s birthday with a brunch. The brunch will be at one of our favorite brunch places with our usual brunch crowd. Funny, most of this crowd actually drink mimosas. Then in the evening the next day, Brainy Bird will have his first driver’s education class. Well that just all seems CRAZY!!!!!!!
Two weeks ago, Little Chirp, Brainy Bird and I were hanging out together debating whether to get Sorry! Sliders out or find a movie on Netflix. And I thought back to the days when Little Chirp was just learning to take turns and play board games, and a wave of realization hit me. I said aloud, “Wow! Brainy Bird can get his learner’s permit is just a couple of weeks.”
Little Chirp asked what a learner’s permit is, and I explained that Brainy Bird would be able to drive a car. I will never forget the look of awe and shock in Little Chirp’s face. His face is what I am feeling. The shock is running through all of us. Yesterday, I called dad to discuss our driver’s education options, and there was a cough and long pause on his end of the phone.
I said, “Did you just die?”
He responded, “Just about.”
Brainy Bird is blessed to have so many amazing people who care about him and who provide him guidance. I am sure he will get lots of driving advice at his birthday brunch as that will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation. I will digest the shock of him driving eventually! In the meantime, I have Little Chirp to baby. There is still no place he would rather be than at home playing board games with his mommy. 🙂
These are the things that I live for.