Time flies

It is set in stone now. I am fifty. As the old fifty cents disappeared from the wallets of Czechoslovaks, my fifty has set on the road to fifty-one slowly.

I was scared. I remember vividly a Petr’s fifty years’ birthday party. It was so nice, lovely, happy. Everyone enjoyed it. Nobody had a clue how dramatically would this year change for me.

I was afraid of coping with other important dates when you are not here. I was afraid of my own birthday without you. When Blanka asked me shortly after holidays how would I wish to celebrate my birthday, my eyes were full of tears. To celebrate, under the circumstances, since you are not here, it is not really possible. So much has changed.

Days and weeks were passing and I realized that I would be sorry to remember my fifty years sadly, without friends. I decided to have a party and suggested to girls who were asking about a celebration to organize it.

Then, a situation changed, firstly restrictions due to covid-19 allowing only for 15 people and one week later only five people from one family. It did not contribute to my good mood. We decided with girls, including the youngest who does not know about it yet, to have our girls’ day. Planned, agreed. Uf, it would be fine. I was depressed a week ago that I am old and Peter will not hold my hand. Fortunately, it went better.

First, a postman brought a huge box from the Czech Republic, sent by my best friends I have there, Lucka and Renda. There were 50 small boxes and one lovely letter with instructions about all these presents. My friends have already celebrated fifty years so they know how to deal with it.

Since my birthday, I can open one little present every day. They remind me of the past years. I opened a one with a soap that we had at home when I was a little girl. I ate a chocolate “cat tongue” which were a precious candy in the past. I remember my grandfather when I opened a present with a sort of coffee called “Melta”. I remembered grandfather preparing me Melta and throwing an old bred into it for breakfast when I was in my grandparents’ place. This present transported me to my childhood. I have also a retro “first aid kit”. I will continue opening presents after the New Year.

It was a nice girls’ day. My parents called me as well as my auntie and uncle. I was receiving wishes on Facebook. A nice breakfast with a coffee from Klarka and Terezka was delivered to my bed. Andulka and Aeryn came and we all went for a walk with a pram. Our Mandik’s girls gang outside for the first time. We bought French frites on a petrol station since the restaurants were closed. Girls prepared a fried cheese with Kofola. We had “a Mole cake” baked by Klarka. I look forward going to spa with Klarka as soon as it would be possible. Andulka gave me a stay in Hammam and an advent calendar with many things smelling so nicely. Terezka noticed that I am missing an ink for my expensive pen. They made a lot of efforts understanding how much this birthday is hard for me. They made this day beautiful and I am grateful for this.

Three couriers with three nice bouquets came. They rang and gave me beautiful roses. I was surprised and very pleased. I had a nice day with a video call, having glass with friends virtually. I will dry roses to continue making me happy afterwards and will keep all presents. I am happy that the day went well and will remember it with pleasure.

One thing we did not do, though. Something what happened automatically in the past and we did not pay attention to it. We did not take off a camera to make a picture of all of us. You did it every time. We did not think about it at all. We will do so when I will be fifty-one. I have nice people around me and I am grateful for it. As soon as this covid will go away and we will be able to meet again, to celebrate, to grill, to dance, to sing and to do a barbecue – we will celebrate everything in our garden. It will be one huge party for all of us – 18, 16, 50 or 60. All who missed a party in 2020. We are on the same boat this year and we sale as we can. You have no idea how much it helps me to have such a nice family, girls and friends who help us to go through this period.

Thank you very much for a lovely birthday. You are amazing.

22.11.2020 Cartigny