A Little Bit of Sugar

“A little bit of sugar is a great mood enhancer.” --Alex Michaelides, THE SILENT PATIENT 

Happy birthday to me!  This is my birthday week.  My mom came to visit.  It was great because we spent some great time together.  However, I was in for a big surprise. Alan had this intricate plan.  I was to take my mother to the movies in Santa Monica.  It was a matinee and then we were to see a second movie.  After the first movie I thought to myself that we should skip the second film.  Mom was very direct and insistent.  I was quite surprised because she normally never acts in this manner.  In any a case I agreed to see the second movie.  I would learn later that mom’s assignment per Alan was to keep me out of the house so that he could set up for my surprise party.  

I had known there was going to be a small party for me but I did not know it was going to be on this night.  When we arrived at the house in Pacific Palisades I was stunned when I saw my grandmother once I walked into the door.  Suddenly there was a scream of surprise and I was in shock to see my brothers, my nieces, my nephew, my sister-in-law's and all of these other friends that I did not expect to see on this night.   Every moment I turned I saw a face that I did not expect to see.   It was pretty miraculous what Alan was able to put together without my knowledge.  There were tables set up.  There were balloons.  There was a gift section for me.  There was food, festivities and music, of course.  

I placed a bunch of postcards out as I wanted everyone who was there to write a few words on a postcard for me.  Some people participated some did not.  I had a fun time.  I was dancing.  I was drinking.  I was laughing. I was very, very surprised and most of all very, very happy. 

My friend Jim Ubl was there.  That was quite a surprise, too.   He chose a postcard for me and on the back of the postcard he wrote: “Happy birthday, Mike.   I figured this postcard would fit you because you have a lot of STYLE.   That could be you in the sunglass reflection.   Your friend, Jim from the Gym.  

It's funny because Alan's accountant and our friend, Cathy Imai chose the same postcard as ‘Jim from the Gym’ did.   Cathy wrote: “Michael I saw this card and thought of you.  You certainly have the power of style!  Have a very Happy Birthday! XOXO, Cathy Imai.” 

Jack Cohen shows a still life postcard and wrote: “Dear Michael, Very Very Happy Birthday and many more.  I know this is not original but it is sincere.  Jack” 

My niece Ashley chose an artsy card and she wrote: “Happy Birthday, Uncle Mike!   Just remember you're 36 not 26!  Ashley  

My brother, John, actually chose a postcard.  Surprise, Surprise!  John wrote: “Brother Mike, hope you were surprised for your 36th birthday, only 36 years young.  I picked this card simply because after driving here with four kids, then two nights in the hotel, it was definitely an adventure!  Happy, Happy Birthday brother, 

Love you,

 John, 

Sherri, 

Ashley, 

Holly, 

Ally 

and Dylan,”  

My niece, Leigh, chose the infamous American Gothic oil painting as her postcard.  Leigh wrote: “Uncle Mike, Surprise! We came to your birthday party.   I love you, Leigh and my niece, Lauren chose an oil painting postcard of jugglers at the circus (painted by the famous French painter Pierre Auguste Renoir). Lauren Armijo wrote: “Mike, Happy Birthday!   Uncle Mike, I love you.  You are the best uncle. Lauren 

Alan chose the postcard of the TV series that we loved called Central Park West.  He wrote:  “Michael, I know how much you missed this show.  How about a trip to Central Park West in New York City for your birthday?  Love, Alan "

Alan also wrote on another card: “Michael when I bought this card, I didn't know that there would be a bar like the Palace that was raining.  This is exactly your type of card as far as everything goes, I'm your best type in body and mind.  Tonight, we go to a party and I hope you get what you want. I have what I want and can really enjoy myself.  These seven months in Pacific Palisades have been quite a party experience.  Let's be happy.  Let's enjoy the rest of the vacation and each other period!  I love you, Alan.” 

My birthday party was so much fun. I even managed to snap a number of photos here in there of everyone who was present. There were so many photos taken that it is hard to choose which ones to share.   It was sweet to see mom and Grandma, carrying my Birthday cake with all of the candles.  It’s a good thing they didn’t drop it.  Ha-ha.   We all needed a little bit of sugar.  

As the week progressed, I received more birthday cards. I received one cute card from Dorothy Rua. She wrote: “Dear Michael, placing the picture in a frame may be a bit presumptuous but here's the deal... if you decide to replace the picture with a photo of some cute young blonde just make sure you make the switch back the weekend I come down for a visit.  Haha.  What do you think of the snapshot?  You look great as usual.  Love, Dorothy (her card depicted a scene from Renoir).  She wrote that it was her favorite Renoir painting.  It is the luncheon of the boating party, painted in 1881. 

My dear friend, Birda sent a sweet letter for my birthday.  She wrote: 

“Michael it is hard to believe it's been a year since your last birthday.  Happy birthday!  So, I guess whoever said time goes by faster the older you get was right.  I just hope the wise part is right.  I know you probably think I have forgotten you by now but it is not true.   I have been getting older and lazy. That comes with old age too. You'll see in a few more years what I mean.  I hear next I will become more forgetful, so if my spelling is bad just remember it is old age and I forgot how to use spell check.  Enough about getting old.  How are you?  We are all fine here in rainy Northern California.  I am still working hard.  But not off the front of trucks anymore.  I leave that for the younger guys now.  I have been wondering when you are off on another vacation.  It has been a while since I have gotten a postcard from a strange exotic land.  My guess is it will be soon.  Whenever it is I will be looking forward to hearing from you. I hope your Birthday is special.  Love Always, Birda.” 

I received a surprise letter from someone I had not heard from in quite a while. His name is Howard Edelstein.  Here is what Howard wrote:  

“Dear Michael, Yes, it is I.  Sorry about this stationary but I'm on a plane and it is the only thing I've got on hand.  It certainly has been a long time period.  Sounds like everything is going well for you.  Myself yes, I'm still a doctor and I'm on my third career.   My first was at Veterans Administration Hospital in Martinez.  After finishing my specialty in infectious diseases from 1988 to 1990 I did research, teaching and patient care.  I left, luckily, about one year before the hospital closed.  My last job at Kaiser Hospital was for five years but I finally got fed up with the BS and left.  Part of the reason I was able to leave was that I began a consulting business in helping medical records departments in hospitals to improve their coding and consequently increase their Billings.  In addition to my consulting, I work in an HIV clinic two afternoons a week.  I am presently working on some educational units in HIV for the patients and house staff, interns and residents.  Life is busy but no more 9 to 5!  I am quite involved in PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful) support in San Francisco and I am on the board of directors.   The rest of my time is spent travelling, rollerblading, doing yoga, playing the piano, reading and dating.   Yes, I am single at this point. Although, I just started dating someone.  It is the 4th date and no sex yet!  Well, if you make it to San Francisco give me a call.  Sometimes I go to Los Angeles and would love to see you. Take care, Howard” 

And Alan slipped another surprise card for my birthday. It was a card that depicted ‘The Picnic’, an oil painting by Claude Monet.  Alan wrote:  “Michael, Happy Birthday May 26 1995.  I want to wish you a healthy and happy birthday.  Our trip to South Beach and Key West will help to celebrate our love for each other during your birthday month period.  I am very happy with you as I know you are with me.  I could recite all of the great times, dinners, or trips we have had but the best for me is just lying-in bed holding you and looking at you and loving you.  That is what I wish to celebrate on your birthday! Love, Alan” 

My first cousin Donna Armijo also sent me a Birthday card from Washington state which was a pleasant surprise.  She wrote: “Michael, I hope your birthday was a happy one.  We just recently had a very special Mother's Day!  My mom and dad flew up because Danielle made her first communion on the 14th of May but what mom did not know was that we flew up my brother the night before. She was so surprised!  It was a really great weekend with them all!  We finally had a family portrait taken.  They turned out pretty good.  I've enclosed one so you can see my three beautiful little girls.  Danielle is 8, Veronica is 2 ½, and Sarah is 8 months.  Doesn't Sarah look just like David?  And little Veronica is the only one in the family with blue eyes.  Danielle always makes a face when getting her picture taken.  David just recently grew the mustache and I'm still not sure if I am going to let him keep it.  And me, well, what can I say?  I still hate getting my picture taken but this one turned out OK.  We are going to try and make it down to California this summer.  If we do, maybe we could see you. I would sure like that! Keep in touch. Have a great day. Lots of love, Donna”  And...Donna's mother (my Aunt Lela), sent a birthday card as well.  It was written as follows: 

“Late for your birthday!  This card could have been sent on time and arrived with all the rest to wish you a happy birthday but you wouldn't have been impressed.  Like folks who make late entrances so they will get special mention, it wanted to be noticed and have your full attention... so, here it is, all by itself, and just a little late... Michael, I hope your day was happy and your year will turn out great!  Can you believe it, me of all “tias” forgetting the actual day?  Not really forgetting, just letting time get away from me... Love, Aunt Lela” 

 

And of course, the finale birthday card was from my mother she wrote:    
“Dear Mike, This brings you birthday wishes and a lot of love as well, for you’re a son who means much more than these few words can tell... the wishes are for happiness in everything you do, and the love is very special because it is meant for you!  Have a very happy birthday.  Love, Mom 

I made a list of all of the gifts that I received, so that I could appropriately thank them all.  

Mary Ann Parsons:  A bottle wine  

Jim Ubl: a unique CD  

Mom:  cash  

Grandma:  cash  

Linda Williams:  Crack Case game, walkie talkies  

Jack and Gloria:  Teddy Bear, Nordstrom gift certificate, and an elephant pin  

Tony and Gertrude:  A clock and white chocolate  

Stuart and Elaine: a Nordstrom gift certificate and a troll  

Dorothy Rua: a picture frame with our photo when we had lunch at Chez Panisse 

Susan:  a picture frame 

Michael, Ron Fischman: a fun Riviera shirt 

John:  a bottle of wine, 10 hours of America Online, Blockbuster Video gift card 

Sherry and Bob Tedeschi:  Western Belt Buckle 

Tony and Helen:  a polo shirt 

Art, Todd, Stephanie & Bradley:  A shirt with a ‘corny’ Tabasco tie 

Cathy Imai and Trevor:  An Armani shirt 

Richard and Leslie:  They paid for the Birthday Cake 

The party was swift but unforgettable.  And now, Alan and I are on to the next thing.  We are preparing for our escape to Miami from May 27th through June 4th.   I am looking forward to this adventure.  I’ve always wondered about Key West, so let’s see what that is like.  I am sometimes uncertain as to where things will go---but for now, I am loving where things are going right now. 

The preparing for our trip to Miami was exciting.  Alan kept asking me if I remembered to pack this, that or the other.  It was almost Caribbean style as I learned of a beer called CARIBE.   It was the 'it' beer in Miami, so I went along with it---even though I am not a beer drinker.  I don't want a beer belly!   There's something special about yellow umbrellas and sunsets in Miami.  There was more to come...

“What do you want for yourself?” He’d asked.  He honestly wasn’t sure.  That he’d blinked and somehow years had gone by, and everyone else had carved their trenches, paved their paths, and he was still standing in a field, uncertain where to dig. --V.E. Schwab, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE