Birthday Party at my Kitchen Table

My house seemed like the more logical place to hold the birthday party since it is bigger. The party wasn’t a surprise. My granddaughter knew her mom was bringing her over for a birthday party at my kitchen table. I can’t imagine how her school day went. Her teacher probably had to nail her to a chair. I know she was excited when she walked through my front door.

My daughter and her family live next door to Rooster and me. Her oldest daughter and partner rent the second-floor apartment above her. The arrangement works out well for all of us. There is a secret to living this close to your adult children. You have to make sure you stay out of their business. There is an art to keeping your mouth shut and allowing them to make their mistakes. You have to face the fact that they have their own life to live.

I almost didn’t blog about the birthday party at my Kitchen Table

The birthday party seemed like such a family event I thought it might not matter to anyone else. I almost filed the pictures away on my computer and saved them for family viewing. I decided to write this blog post as this month’s rambling blog about nothing: only family is everything. One of the things COVID has denied us from experiencing is coming together to celebrate holidays and important milestones like birthdays and graduations. I don’t want to in fear anymore. I’m recording this event as a captured family moment. It was short, sweet, and a lot of fun for everyone who could come. Join us for a small birthday party at my kitchen table. If you aren’t a fan of kid’s birthday parties, feel free to move on to another post.

The birthday party at my kitchen table

First came the card from Mom.

Next came the pile of gifts.

Then my granddaughter blew out the candles, and we enjoyed the ice cream cake.

Conclusion of the birthday party at my Kitchen Table

My granddaughter felt like a rock star as she sat at the table opening gifts and blowing out candles. A big smile plastered on her face the entire time. Her younger sister was a little upset because her party wasn’t as grand this year. In February, we were all still social distancing to a certain extent. Plus, she likes to be the center of attention.

Children have lost so much during this pandemic. I wonder what their new normal will look like if we can ever bring this downhill momentum to an end. I hope we find a way to make this up to them. They need to know what it is like not to live in fear. It is also important for them to feel connected to family. Someone will probably call me a flat earther because I long for this nightmare to be over and have decided to host and go to family gatherings. So be it. I refuse to live in fear.

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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