 Birthdays are a big deal in my family! They just are! We love them. We celebrate them, sometimes two and three times and then we all say, “You shouldn’t have” but we don’t mean it. We have big ones for big years and “low key” ones for off years, but even the off year celebrations are pretty gorgeous!
Yesterday was my 83rd “low key” birthday. “What do you want to do,” asked my ever patient and accommodating husband? “Not much,” I replied. “Just you and me and whatever family can come up from LA for dinner.” “Great,” he answered relieved. “Oh,” I said, before he walked away, “if the weather is nice, let’s have cocktails at the beach.” I know those aren’t his favorite, but I love it and he’s kind of stuck because it’s my celebration day. There is a table at the beach and it’s a half of a block away and we have to drive everything down BUT IT’S SO WORTH IT. He did it all with my 19 year old granddaughter, Tess, who was staying for the weekend (that was a treat in itself). I wasn’t allowed to see what they had planned. They were in mysterious meetings all weekend. We opened the gifts, and then we were on the way to the beach. I loved my gifts and my cards.
So, when we got there (BTW, a gorgeous day) it was so beautiful - Rosé in a wine bucket, humus, guacamole and egg salad (my contribution) and a beautiful turquoise runner on the table. Jim, Leslie, Terry, Tess, Bob, Sophia and I had a wonderful time! Both Gideon and Alex were away on exciting summertime adventures and both called to wish me Happy Birthday. Various friends walked by and sat or stopped for a birthday hug and I was so happy. We then quickly changed and went out to dinner to Tre Lune where Bob had outdone himself, especially for a “low key” birthday. Beautiful tablecloth and napkins, more Rosé, a menu with my name on it, birthday cake from Jeanine’s and the most important thing, my family!!  Days before I had been complaining to a friend about turning 83. My god, how did that happen? Middle 80’s? Old lady, no matter how you look at it? Aches and pains? I heard that negative voice in my head. But then the other side stepped in and said, “Look how lucky you are!! Aging is a privilege! Remember? You never thought you’d see your grandchildren this old remember? You’ve lived 20 years longer than any women in your family, remember?” Oh yes, I remember. I transgressed for a few days but I’m back! I’m grateful to be alive and feeling well! Not everyone gets to age. Thanks to my kids and my very thoughtful and loving husband, I had a wonderful “low key” birthday. Maybe the best!! I have to keep reminding myself. The only thing we lose as we age is the fear of aging!
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 It started with my parents going there many years ago. Then us. Now my children and grandchildren. Okay – Let’s face it, for Bob and I there is nothing like Capri. For us, it holds friends, water, rocks, hotel lunches, dinners, swimming, weather, view, we love it all. The hotel wraps you in its arms like a warm comforter. The most wonderful staff I have ever had the pleasure of meeting is waiting there to make your stay absolutely perfect in every way.  The drawback - getting there. With our sore backs we braved cars, planes, trains, ferries, all to get to our beloved Capri – and it was worth it. Our friends were already there and still there when we left. They ARE Capri. Beautiful Rose, handsome Roberto, debonair Joseph and Klaus and Jane the adventurer. I was so worried about my recent injury, but it worked out fine. I walked up and down the hills like always, swam in the sea, cruised in the boat and it was all fine.
The big plus this year was that my son Jim, daughter-in-law Leslie, and my twin grandsons Gideon and Alex came to Capri on their way to London. So we had four wonderful days in Capri and one great night in Rome together. We celebrated the boys 16th birthday a month early by renting a boat and taking them to Lo Scoglio for lunch, a little Island were they feed you until you burst. I’m still bursting.
The boys loved it and it was so special for me to have them there. We baked in the sun, drank Aperol Spritzers. (it is a beautiful looking drink, which consists of peaches, Prosecco and Aperol). It’s the drink of Capri this year. Our days consisted of swimming, eating and shopping. Capri is special. There is no doubt. It’s a way to escape ordinary life and you have to only wake up thinking of ways to enjoy yourself. 
Will we return next year? I hope so! We made reservations. Let’s see what happens. A year is a long time. 
For now “Ci vediamo, Capri.” Until we meet again.  |
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December 2020
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