Friday, November 8, 2013

Overthinking birthdays and the anniversary

I feel very strongly that birthdays should be celebrated. Made special. So I asked Cam what special thing he wanted to do on his birthday. He looked at me and said - I want to stay home from school and play with my Legos!. Um, OK. That would only be fun for about 2 hours, tops. And then I'd be home with a bored kid. So I started thinking. Maybe we could swing a trip to a nearby Legoland Discovery Center? But it's about 3 hours from here. So Aaron thought he would take him up the night before, and stay in a hotel - double fun!

I was acutely aware that this meant that I would be home alone on the anniversary of Nora's death. So I thought - I'll make a different fun plan. I looked around and came up with an idea of taking Maggie into NYC and seeing the Rockettes. Maggie has been taking dance lessons, so I thought this would be right up her alley. And - I have a super fun cousin that we could stay with!

Looking at the timing of everything, I was nervous that we wouldn't manage to get home in time for his McDonald's birthday party at 5:30 (did I mention this stroke of genius? I wanted to have a small birthday party for just his close friends on the weekend, but thought I could still do a dinner at our house on his actual birthday. Then I realized that would mean about 30 people at my house if I just invited the friends on the street. So I called the local McDonald's that has a play space. They do parties, and it's super reasonable!).

So last night, Aaron and I made a great new plan. All four of us will leave together on the morning of the 4th. Aaron will drop Maggie and I off at a train station and we will make our way into NYC for a matinee, a special dinner in the city and an overnight with my cousin. Cam and Aaron will go and do Legoland on the 4th, stay in a hotel (maybe with a pool!) and then in morning, Maggie and I will meet them at the train station so we can all be together on his birthday!

This is my new plan. Since I know that the 4th is going to be a hard day for me, I'm going to try and fill it with happy, joyful things. And remember the 5 days we had with Nora as a blessing, and celebrate the wonderful life we do have. I'm sure tears will be shed, but hopefully mixed in with some laughter too.

7 comments:

Catwoman73 said...

It's smart- and important- to have a plan for those tough anniversaries. I hope you have a great time, despite the tears. Hugs to you...

Deborah said...

You know there's a Legoland coming to Somerville this spring, right? Of course that still sounds like an awesome plan, but I wanted to make sure you knew. You can always do both - one now, one later. :)

Cece said...

Yeah, I know. We'll do both!!

HereWeGoAJen said...

This sounds like a great plan. I bet the kids will have so much fun.

Erin said...

You'll be in my hood. Hope the lie at serendipity isn't too long or the weather is at least mild that day.

I love all the things you plan for our family.

Ruby and me said...

Your plans sound really wonderful. Have a happy day when it arrives.

Carrie27 said...

I hope it was a peaceful day and that Cam had a GREAT birthday!