What a day! Good LORD what a day!
It was so fun. I picked up Hank at 10:45 this morning and we drove to Kool Beanz, the restaurant where Mr. Moon and I used to eat every Friday night of our lives back when we used to go out on Friday nights. I can't say for certain but I think it's the best restaurant in Tallahassee and probably for many, many miles surrounding. I should have taken a picture of the menu. Or the food, for that matter.
Soon we all began gathering. Or at least the ones who could. Jessie showed up with these two.
We were all delighted that super heroes joined us for the birthday luncheon. I am not sure what inspired them to don their super hero costumes but it certainly added to the festivity.
Mr. Moon came in a separate car because I was going to go shopping with May after lunch. Lily came as soon as she got off work. And of course, Hank was with me.
Rachel was at work in her position as an intern at Senior Services for her MSW studies. We missed her.
We sat outside and it was cool enough and not too humid and we all ate like kings and queens. Fishes and salads and some beef, too. It was heaven to enjoy that good food again. The boys were good and didn't fuss even though we had to wait for a long time. August drew Jessie a picture of a heart and a flower on an index card that I had in my purse with a shopping list on it. I had brought May a key lime pie but I told her that I didn't want her sharing it- it was all for her! This is an old tradition. I used to make two pies- one for her and one to share but this year, I just made the one. No one complained.
When it was time for us all to go our separate ways, May and I took off in my car to go to a nearby thrift store. Lily came in her car because she had to get home before too long to pick up the kids from school, and Michael took the pie home and then met us. We all found treasures. I got a set of three vintage pyrex bowls, the clear, ridged kind. Of course, I no more need another bowl, much less three, than I need another chicken. But how could I pass up such beauties? They are in the dishwasher as we speak. May found an old sewing box that was very cool, from the forties or fifties, I would say, and some wine glasses; Lily got some clothes and a pair of earrings that may or may not have been silver. I even found a pretty dress for our Magnolia and I got a little basket with a handle for her to gather eggs in when she's here.
We also found this very regal and very large chair.
We also found this very regal and very large chair.
Sadly, no one bought it.
What fun to be back in a thrift store with my daughters, finding beautiful things, intriguing things, bizarre things, hideous things. Things that someone once wanted enough to buy but then either discovered that they did not really want them, could not use them, or outgrew. Or, you know- died- and their kids donated them.
I stopped at Publix on my way home and bought what is hopefully all the stuff I need for the rest of this week. Mr. Moon had gone out to check on the bebes to find that two of them were on the ground in the hen house with Darla frantically fussing over them so when I got the groceries put away, we transferred the family to the little chick coop. Still only seven. We are going to give the rest of the eggs a few more days. Darla appears to be insanely happy to be able to scratch dirt again. She was going at it so intently that she was knocking her babies over. Good thing they're so tough.
And that is what May's forty-third birthday was like from my perspective. Practically perfect. Like May herself. That woman is a glory and a goodness and a goddess. A joy and, well- a super hero who doesn't bother to wear a costume. She is the kind of person who is always kind, incredibly intelligent, and probably the best writer in the family. She's been journaling since she could hold a pencil. She's as sweet as anyone you'll ever meet and at the same time, has the wickedest sense of humor you'll ever encounter. She's a defender of those who need defending, a supporter of those who need supporting. She's a giving soul, a tender soul, and one of the strongest souls I've ever known.
There is a pureness and a light about her that is hard to describe.
And she would punch anyone in the face who threatened one of her beloveds.
She's my May.
I sure do love her.
Happy birthday, dear daughter! It is one of the biggest honors of my life to be your mama.
And hell, while we're at it, happy birthday to Bob Dylan too on this, his eightieth birthday. Obviously the very best people are born on May 24th.
Love...Ms. Moon
My first-born, my oldest son, John, was born on May 24th! He is 42 this year and he has been such a joy in my life since the moment of his birth! The best people ARE born on 5/24! :)
ReplyDeleteReally? That's so cool! Happy birthday to John!
DeleteI have to say that I love the way you love 'out loud'. What a powerful gift for your children. And your grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteWhat good does it do to hold it in? Our family tells each other how much we love each other all the time. We don't have to. We want to.
DeleteOh Mama, you made me cry. I love you so much. Thank you for my one wild and precious life. Thank you for being my perfect, beloved Mama.
ReplyDeleteOh god, baby. I am SO far from perfect as you well know but in my children- there is my perfection.
DeleteAnd now I'm crying too.
I love you with all my heart and soul. As you also well know.
what a beautiful day of celebration for dear May! I love the pic of her lounging on the thrift store chair......she is like a race horse....all long limbed......... just a lovely young woman. So happy you all were able to celebrate and be together- that is what counts most in life. It's the love. this brought me tears of pure joy
ReplyDeletesusan m
Isn't she a beauty? I'm so glad we all got to be together too. It was a glory.
DeleteMany happy returns of the day to May!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear!
DeleteHappy Birthday to your beautiful May! And may she have many more!
ReplyDeleteHUNDREDS MORE!!!
DeleteHappy belated birthday, May! Sounds like the day was a lovely gift for everyone--not just the birthday girl.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed!
DeleteIt's pretty cool to share a birthday with Bob Dylan. Happy birthday, May! Your day out sounds fantastic and I'm glad everyone scored at the thrift store.
ReplyDeletePS -- As I write this, I'm wearing the shirt I got at the Bad Girls Get Saved by Jesus Thrift Store!
DeleteHa! I'm so glad you were able to find something you liked there. What a great souvenir!
DeleteHappy belated birthday to your girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMay born in May, I think that you are right , Mary. The best babies were born in the month of May, especially those named May. Such a beautiful daughter- spring itself and I must say- a babe! Well done genetics! Apple/tree. Your day sounds like a dream day , little boys dressed appropriately! LOVE xX
ReplyDeleteWe did use to favor a whole lot back when I was younger and, well, prettier. I look at her and remember.
DeleteIt was indeed a dreamy day and yes, I thought that the little boys certainly did dress for the occasion.
Happy birthday May! So glad you were able to get together FINALLY to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
Deleteboth my kids had birthdays last week and age wise, May is right between them. Happy birthday to May.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so funny! But nice.
DeleteIf she's the best writer in the family then she must be going so - your ending tribute is beautifully crafted - you should paste / print that and keep it somewhere.
ReplyDeletefrom the para starting...
And that is what...
M
Thank you, Mr. Bike Shed. Every year I write about my kids on their birthdays. It makes me so happy to do it.
DeleteIt sounds like a good time was had by all and who wouldn't with a key lime pie involved. That chair that May is sitting in, love it.
ReplyDeleteDebby said that you love out loud and I would have to agree with her and isn't that a wonderful thing, loving out loud.
That chair was pretty impressive, I have to say. And May looked wonderful in it, didn't she?
DeleteLoving out loud is the only way I know how to love. For the most part.
I'm so sorry to have missed this last night! May is one of my favorites. Happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos - so cute of Hank, and a fabulous pose for May. The portrait you paint of her in words is even more lovely. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your darling May. What glorious photos of her, and it is she who makes that chair regal, not the other way around. She is indeed an extraordinary writer in a family of wonderful writers. I she still blogging? Is Hank? I loved reading them.
ReplyDelete