My little corner of the world looked really good to me on July 4th this year. And not just physically. I made it through the day without tears or fears. Although my kids were far out of visual range, I kept my distance without obsessively calling them as I’ve been known to do on previous Independence Days. (Made easier by the fact that Alli never picks up her phone and Daniel was out of phone and electronic contact.)
Less worrying left me free to focus on the good stuff—America’s birthday, my blog’s birthday—and one more. The other day I mentioned how Facebook connected me with a mom I knew casually from Alli’s pre-school in L.A. 20 years ago, who now lives nearby. So yesterday on Facebook, I found out her birthday is….July 4. She posted a funny message about having a party in cyberspace—and when I answered, she invited me to a gathering–in real life.
I could have gone someplace else, but Susan’s spontaneous invitation offered something I never pass up: birthday cake. Plus a chance to celebrate with her “inner circle” of family and friends.
Today she sent out a group email recap. Her message (part fantasy, mostly real) struck me with its perspective—-as an artist, her imagination and whimsical view of Carmel; as a human being, her view on what’s important:
Thank you all for making this the best birthday I could ever have imagined. The day started with phone calls, internet birthday greetings and text messages. Most of the east coast seems to have forgotten I am not a morning person. By 10 a.m. all of you reading this had gathered at my house for capuccino and fresh squeezed orange juice and then we proceeded to walk down to the beach. A colorful knot of hundreds,multi-generations in camaraderie, we were our own parade as we passed the Carmel Mission, the Mission Ranch Inn, the cute little houses so distinctive they have names like Beside the Point and Happily Ever After.
The children were skipping ahead, swiping flowers and little American flags (made in China) from the gardens we passed. I think the seagulls are still trying to figure out what kind of flock flew in at Carmel River Beach—hundreds of oddly dressed friends reuniting and chattering like magpies.
It was foggy, silver morning light and I shared my favorite trick with all of you. We lay on the sand, our bodies spread out like a Persian carpet across the beach, then I sent one of the children to run into the horde of birds resting where the mouth of the river meets the sea. The gulls scattered above us, dipping and swirling in magnificent arcs, their wings making a thunderous roar more thrilling than fireworks.
By midafternoon, the skies had cleared and I sent all of you off to your various pastimes. Some of you played golf, some took a picnic lunch to Point Lobos and ate it watching the otters romp. One after another greetings continued from friends that couldn’t make it, from London, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, Cape Cod, Ohio, Utah and New Mexico. In between calls, I prepared the fresh guacamole to go with the margaritas I promised you (on Facebook). I made my Grandma Ida’s famous recipe for potato salad, a task I have performed every July 4th birthday for the last 3 decades. Judy prepared her favorite pumpkin dessert and Jade and John brought a cake (white cake with white frosting) that reads “Time is an illusion. Happy Sweet 16” in lavender script. (Red, white and blue mixed together is lavender, by the way, for all you non-artists.)
Just before everyone returned for serious partying, a strange thing happened. The blender turned on all by itself! There was no doubt in my mind it was a message from the angels, all my loved ones and friends who passed. They wanted a margarita too and their presence just then in my kitchen could not have made me happier.
Between 6 p.m. and 7, you all returned. The house filled up with stories, laughter and barbecued chicken smells, sweet corn on the cob with butter and salt, fruit salad, potato salad…and margaritas. No one spilled a drink. No one dropped their plate. Old friends met and made new friends, my golden inner circle ever widening. Erin Gafill read a passage from her new book, Drinking From a Cold Spring, before dessert.
One of the kids lamented the fact that fireworks are banned this summer on the Monterey Peninsula. It’s just not quite the Fourth of July without them, she said. Just then there was a knock on the door and out in the courtyard waited a band of red, white and blue frocked clowns with sparklers singing a raucous version of I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, a man with a giant check stepped forward and it was Dave Sayer, the president of Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, announcing I was the winner of the $100,000 a week for life contest which I have been religiously entering for months!
That was the icing on the cake (there were several cakes by the way!). It was hard making a wish when I blew out the candles as there’s little more a human being could want. Best birthday I could have ever imagined. Thank you all for being there, for your toasts and lovely cards and genuine friendship and for helping me clean up afterward. I love all of you.
Erin Gafill says
Susan’s birthday was undoubtedly my favorite Fourth of July celebration in years, in spite of the lack of fireworks. Thank you for sharing Drinking From a Cold Spring with YOUR audience, and join me if you can for a reading this Thursday the 8th of July at the Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe at 5PM for MORE stories! Love, Erin
Darryle Pollack says
This year was great for me too–I prefer a calm 4th of July after all the fireworks in my life on that day.
I really enjoyed your book, and though I can’t go this week–I always love an excuse to drive down to Big Sur!
Dennis Pyritz, RN says
Special invitation to all breast cancer bloggers. This month the Being Cancer Book Club is reading “The Adventures of Cancer Bitch” by S. L. Wisenberg, “witty and relentless, surprising and honest. Wisenberg has walked through the Valley of Cancer and she is willing to tell all; this is a cornucopia of breast cancer information as well as a very smart, funny read from an excellent writer.”—Audrey Niffenegger, author, The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Book discussions are in Mondays’ posts. Take care, Dennis
Deborah Shane says
Birthday’s for me have always been important to remember, as they celebrate the most important reason to celebrate, “creation of life”. This means not only human life but accomplishments, milestones, and other life creations.I celebrate my natal birthday tomorrow July 8th, and know without me,all the other birthdays wouldn’t happen. Congrats on all your “life birthday’s, and many many more. Whoohoodedoo.
Darryle Pollack says
I always think it’s important to celebrate too, just the idea of being here for another year. Also agree it’s great to look at birthdays as not just life but other milestones. Still want to remember the traditional sense of “birthday” and wish you a very very happy one tomorrow!!