Supply: Ron Lach / Pexels
Final yr on February 13, I turned 60—a milestone, some individuals may say. On my fiftieth birthday, I used to be within the grips of anorexia and my brother threw me a celebration at Peter Kelly’s restaurant Xavier on the Hudson, with scenic views of the Hudson River and the then-named Tappan Zee Bridge. Chunks of ice had been floating within the river and I used to be surrounded by my closest household and mates. Sadly, obsessive about my weight and my physique, I used to be unable to calm down and benefit from the occasion totally. If I recall, I even unintentionally threw up a few instances, simply from the stress of retaining my secret.
Ten years later, we had been within the midst of a pandemic. Creatively, I discovered a cupcake firm with progressive flavors that shipped everywhere in the nation. Along with carrot and purple velvet, that they had cupcakes infused with cognac and Jack Daniels, and others flavored with tiramisu and strawberry daiquiri. I drew up the visitor checklist, obtained their most well-liked cupcake flavors, had them shipped out, and on the appointed evening all of us gathered on Zoom. My household — together with cousins from Baton Rouge and Florida — and mates sang “Glad Birthday,” I blew out my candle, and we crammed our cupcakes into our mouths.
The subsequent morning was a Sunday. I took my rescue canine, Shelby, for our standard 6 AM stroll and on the midway level of our loop, I slipped on black ice on the sidewalk in entrance of somebody’s home and went down. Exhausting. As quickly as I hit the pavement, I knew I had damaged my wrist. It harm. Loads. I attempted to stand up, however I couldn’t. I used to be dizzy. Shelby was wandering off down the block and I needed to maintain calling her to return again to me. Fortunately, I had my mobile phone with me and I referred to as 911, however I didn’t have my glasses on and will solely vaguely describe the place I used to be. Regardless they discovered me and the EMT’s had been tremendous good. They seen I used to be bleeding, which meant the bone had pierced the pores and skin. A police officer confirmed up and he took Shelby again to my condo, getting the keys from the doorman. I went to the hospital the place an x-ray confirmed I had damaged each bones in my wrist and would want speedy surgical procedure. I might additionally want to remain within the hospital in a single day to obtain IV antibiotics.
What a awful follow-up to a sixtieth birthday. I assume it was a reminder that I used to be getting outdated. I’ve osteoporosis from my extended battle with anorexia and had simply began receiving therapy for it within the type of a once-a-year infusion, however I assume even that was no match for the influence of my wrist hitting the icy sidewalk. Therapeutic proved to be a problem. I wanted one other surgical procedure, then intensive bodily remedy. One of many damaged bones broken a nerve, so I’ve everlasting nerve harm in my index finger, which signifies that the finger feels numb on a regular basis. And chilly. At the least it was my left wrist, my non-dominant hand.
Final evening my brother texted me and requested me what I wished this yr for my birthday, which occurs to be on the identical day because the Tremendous Bowl.
I’ve no illusions about doing something on the precise day of my birthday. I’m enjoying it protected this yr. I advised him I simply wished to have a quiet dinner with him, my sister-in-law, and my niece.
Sixty-one is an odd quantity, anyway.
Supply: © Andrea Rosenhaft
