Bright Ideas

My Mother remembered birthdays of siblings, parents and cousins. Their birthdays may have been written on the calendar. My Mom remembered my Dad’s siblings’ and parents’ birthdays, and cousins of course. I don’t remember lots of cards being sent, but telephone calls were made.

They often were invited for afternoon cake and ice cream, Mom made lots of cakes, box cakes with fudge or caramel icing. Dad and I didn’t care much for cake, but I’d peal off big chunks of fudge or caramel. I was probably more greedy than Dad.

Like Mom, I remember birthdays, but writing them on the calendar helps. Today is Bristol’s 3rd birthday, and three days later, Reed will turn 30. That makes him a grownup now. Later in the month Katie has a birthday. Women don’t like to reveal their age, so I won’t do it.

But last month was my grandson, Roman’s second birthday. He likes trucks, so I had three small trucks sent to his house. His mom, Erica, said she’d wrap them. Brice found a card with a red pickup at A&A Stieg, so it was sent on the the way. My step-dad’s birthday was Feb.16. He received the card in time, but he died four days later.

We called him at 9:00 am every weekend. What will I do on weekend mornings now? He hadn’t been sick but took lots of cardiac medicine. We talked to him just a few days earlier. My kids took it hard, the only grandparent they had. He was 88.

There will be one fewer birthday to write next year, but I’m sure I’ll remember it anyway. Goodbye Tom. Now we’ll celebrate Bristol’s birthday!