How I Celebrate, at 40

I’m afraid I draw a blank when I try to remember how I celebrated my 20th birthday. 19 and 21 were sloppy, exuberant affairs, though, so it was probably similar. Two decades later, things have changed. I called family the day before my birthday and asked that they not call on the day; what I wanted for my 40th was some peace and quiet, which is hard to come by with two small boys. I turned off all phone ringers and took the boys for a playdate at a kind friend’s house. Then I had several hours to myself, and did the things that are important to me, now. I showered, read my book, took a nap, and did some writing.

The next night, girlfriends and I went out to a new neighborhood restaurant, The Red Stag Supper Club. I had a fabulous meal–chop salad, pork chop over barbecued cheese grits with shrimp/bacon succotash, and a truffle tort–accompanied by my favorite tap beverage: root beer, from the Sprecher Brewing Company in Wisconsin.

And this week I’m going on a date with my husband G. Grod. We were going to go tonight, but Guppy woke us with croup in the night, and Drake woke this morning hollering with pain from a high fever, so we changed the plan. Thus far, it’s been a lovely, quiet, quality celebration, which nicely reflects life in general.

3 Responses to “How I Celebrate, at 40”

  1. Susan Says:

    Happy birthday!

  2. weirleader Says:

    isn’t it amazing how the kids ALWAYS get sick right before a date? (at least ours seem to) ;-)

  3. girldetective Says:

    Drake got sick for the rescheduled date, too! I had to pick him up from preschool, then he came home, fell asleep at 5, and didn’t wake up till 6am. I hope the third time will be a charm, but I’m waiting a little longer to be sure.