Solo Mother

Three day weekend therapy

by christina on May 26th, 2008

This was quite a weekend, capped off by my 40th birthday. Want a peek at how this SoloMother lives?

I think my weekend really began on Thursday, spicy Drunken Noodles with a lovely friend, then over to the store to snag a dress I’ve been coveting for two weeks. Thursday night, the kid went to the grandparents’ while I went to a formal dinner and got to see Tony Bennett perform. He was sublime. What understated charm. Had a lovely conversation with the executive chef of one of New York’s most coveted restaurant, and got itching to get back into cooking more seriously.

Friday was a blur of work and coffee with someone I’ve not seen in far too long, and finally got to oogle her engagement ring in person. Purrrty. Then off to Jazz at the Sculpture Garden, where I was sad to be without the usual posse, but engaged in fun conversation and warm company, all the same. So good to actually be reconnecting with friends after these long winter months of reclusive behavior. I’m in the sunshine again. A long walk home and a conversation that didn’t want to end.

Saturday? Up early and over to the local Farmer’s Market where I purchased organic pork sausage and bacon, and sweet pea shoots for salad or stew. And a baguette, can’t walk out without a baguette. Back to the homestead to grab the boy who was full of schemes and plans… “Today’s a beautiful day, mama, to go to the PARK!” and so we went back to our small abode to pack a picnic.

While there, a parade happened. These amazing swaths of church people paraded around our circle, great hundreds of them in black suits, white dresses, pom poms and band uniforms, waving or marching solemnly to the great music at least five bands wailed out on their brass and drums. We must have stood on the front stoop for nearly an hour, watching the spectacle. Amazing, heady stuff. But finally, the park cried out loud and clear, and we went, and i knitted while the child played with a new friend.

My mother met us on the way home from the park and we took an amazing detour to the local bike shop for my Most. Amazing. Birthday. Present. A new bike!! A beautiful new about-town and a little bit farther bike, which I am in love with and want to ride all the time. And then we had dinner on the roof of their home, hot dogs on the grill.

Sunday morning my mom, my kid and I hopped on the bikes and went for a ride. It was glorious, and the Kid was a champ on the back of mom’s bike. He was an exhausted champ by the time we hit up Port City Java for a sweetie and some swing music. Mom finally called Dad, who zoomed over to pick the tired boy up and drive him home, while us girls rode home through the streets of Washington filled with Rolling Thunder and happy tourists stuck in rental cars. ONE LESS CAR!

A lovely nap ensued. As the KoE drifted off in my queen sized bed, snuggled in my arms like the little boy he almost isn’t, he whispered, “You know why I love naptime, mama? … We get to snuggle.” Absolutely, my kid. Absolutely.

Then, a quick pop-round to the neighbors’ for a party, dropping off the kid at the rents so he could be bright and bushy tailed for Operation Waffle Birthday, and I jaunted out for my last dinner as a thirty-something year old. Delicious, and sweet company. A nice bottle of wine and a very apologetic manager with champagne made the rude, idiot hostess disappear. Exhaustion hit before midnight–I’m obviously not as young as I used to be–and bed was a haven of simplicity after the upheavals of the past few weeks.

Brunch, and a birthday waffle cake that just beat the socks off anything I’ve ever had, because my kid was so excited about the whole thing and had done such a great job. I got a book of coupons from him that include coupons for paying attention and listening, and a hand written sign in his best penmanship that says, “Mom, you’re my best friend” and oh man. I am the luckiest mama.

The rest of the day was filled with friends and cookouts and the best kid ever. For a birthday that loomed large and lonely on my calender, those who truly love me did make it special and bright. Thank you.

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