Birthday party will be small

I’m heading to Mom’s today for the third time in two weeks. No doctor’s appointments or new caseworkers to meet today, no new disasters to deal with, just a birthday to celebrate.
It is my brother David’s birthday on Tuesday. That means he will have to be there. I always feel happy when we get together because he makes me laugh. No matter what the subject, he can turn it into a comedy routine.
This is the exact opposite from our mother. According to her the world is going to hades in a handbasket. Everything is terrible and anybody who is not exactly like her is intent on taking over the world or at least doing great harm to her and everybody else on the planet.
I admit, there are moments when a black cloud descends and I agree with her but most of the time I find her attitude frustrating. There is much good and incredible beauty in this world. I firmly believe that most people are well-intentioned and have no desire to hurt anyone. David’s optimism will counterbalance her pessimism and I expect we will have our usual fun time.
Today I will try a new recipe to share with my family. You can be assured that there will be absolutely no nutritional value to whatever I fix. I have tried bringing wholesome food before, only to have people complain. There is no sense in bringing something if it will go uneaten. I gave up on that a long time ago. Now I fix stuff I hope they will like. The sugar rush will only add to the festivities.
David asked for cash for his birthday. I will oblige by giving him a packet of play money tucked into a funny card. The play money looks real enough that it startled my husband to see it sitting on the counter at home.
My brothers seldom stay home. They are always out and about, enjoying all this world has to offer. So far, neither of them has said they have other plans. My other brother, Michael, usually is fishing somewhere. Lucky for him, his second wife enjoys the same things he does.
David never goes fishing. He prefers more active pursuits. His interests are constantly changing and I expect to hear all about his latest adventure. Failing at something only makes for a more interesting story.
It will be a small gathering. No extended family or friends will show up. David’s wife has to work so she won’t be there either. This is different from when we go to my daughter’s. Her extended family includes friends and people who are considered family even though they are related to nobody there. People mill about and children are everywhere,
It will be more sedate today and no children are expected to be there. At Mom’s we will sit and tell stories. We will laugh until tears run down our faces. We will give presents to the birthday boy. We will reminisce and try to include our mother in the conversation. It will be a good day.
At the end of the day we will go our separate ways. David will have some real money to spend, along with his play money. We will part until the next holiday or birthday brings us together again. It will be a good day. Now I have to go bake something.

[[In-content Ad]]