My Instead: I took my daughter Robin out for her belated 31st
birthday and then went to see “Expect Delays”, a movie for which I had
auditioned.
My daughter Robin had turned 31 years old on October 28th.
I usually have her and her family over for a homemade dinner at my house,
birthday cake and all! Having to juggle basketball schedules, Robin had a hard
time committing to a date to have her birthday dinner. Finally, we decided to
go a whole new route this year…a girls’ night out with no husband and no kids. We’ve never done this to celebrate her birthday
before.
She met me at my house and before we left I gave her a birthday
card and her gift. Earlier in the day, I had checked to see if had bought a birthday
card to give her. Yes, I found one! I wrote her name on the envelope and then
opened the card to sign it. Surprised, I saw my mother’s handwriting, realizing
that Mom had given me this card on my recent 62nd birthday. No big
deal…I’ll just pick one up when I’m out and about. But then I thought “Why can’t
I just give her this card?” What better card to give my daughter! It said how I
felt about her, the same way my mom felt about me. And Robin is 31, half my
age. Perfect! She loved it.
Robin decided on the restaurant Bella Milanos which ended up being
a wonderful choice. We sat outside in their contained patio, showing off its stone
water fountain and gas flames. I had the best pistachio-encrusted tilapia in a
medley if crispy spinach and prosciutto ham. I usually don’t make a big deal
about food dishes, but this was amazing.
Robin and I talked about all kinds of things: her job, her son Tyler
and her new “son” Danny, and her animals. We were like good friends. There was
no need for “mothering”. She was all grown up, living a life full of
responsibilities and undisclosed dreams. When we got back to my house we said our good-byes and our
intimate evening was a memory.
Looking at the clock, I saw that I had time to go to the premier
showing of “Expect Delays”. This was a Belleville-made movie for which I had
auditioned earlier in the year. After viewing the video on line, I realized why
I was not offered a part. My little tryout for which I had prepared in earnest turned
out looking way too rehearsed!
During the feature, I sat amidst a crowd of movie-goers, mostly
friends and family of the people that actually did get a part in the movie. My
disappointed dream of someday appearing on the big screen sat beside me...
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| Robin and I out to dinner |
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Front of Robin's card |
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