Happy Birthday Mom

Charli Mills’ March 18 2021 Flash Fiction Challenge was to write a story in 99 words (no more, no less) that takes place one year later. It can be any year. Explore the past year or another significant passing of time to the character. As always, she suggests we go where the prompt leads us.  

My 99-word simple poem is a true story. 

Last March, Mom had one of those milestone birthdays. Hubby’s sisters and I arranged a huge surprise party with out-of-town guests, a special lunch menu, champagne, wine and cake.

On the day of the planned event, Mom’s birthday, our country went into Covid lockdown. Mom was instructed to stay in her suite; the rest of us hibernated in our homes. We were grateful our honoree never found out about our plans. She would have been devastated had she known.

Mom’s retirement home never lifted their lockdown restrictions. All around, it’s been tougher and far more challenging for those living and working in the retirement and long-term care homes than it has been for the rest of us. We’ve had freedoms; they have not.

With failing eyesight and hearing, Mom seemed to adapt to the isolation protocols more readily than most. She was content with our phone calls and happy when the facility eventually asked each family to assign a designated visitor. My sister-in-law took on the role for our clan and since before Christmas, she’s been authorized to visit Mom in her unit.

And here we are, one year later. It’s Mom’s birthday again. While the virus still rages, our community lockdown is not quite as severe as it was 12 months ago. My Hubby and I along with his sisters, their spouses, his niece and her two toddlers gathered outside one of the glass doors in Mom’s building.

We arranged to have balloons, flowers, presents, champagne and cake placed inside the entryway. Outside, my sister-in-law passed out small bottles of champagne for each of us to take home. I’d brought individually wrapped slices of a fruit melody cake and handed them out.

Mom arrived. She was thrilled to see all of us, even though we were disguised behind masks and were standing scattered and distanced on the terrace. We waved and she waved back. She beamed at the toddlers and placed her fingers on the window, matching the palms of their little hands. One of the staff cracked open the door so Mom could hear us sing Happy Birthday. After more air hugs and kisses we went our separate ways.

Our visit may have lasted no more than half an hour, but it made a world of difference to Mom.

 

Mom’s Birthday

 

Balloons and cake,

Guests all confirmed,

The out-of-towners;

Their flights all reserved.

 

The virus arrived

And people died.

Our party was scrapped

As the country locked down.

 

One year later.

 

Mom’s birthday again,

And the virus still rages.

Vaccines jabbed in stages

Based on our ages.

 

We gather as family;

All masked and distanced.

We sing our good wishes

And blow her air kisses.

 

Mom’s still in lockdown

With nowhere to go.

Her hair is now long,

Her body still strong.

 

She smiles and waves

From inside the building.

Our visit means a lot,

Even more than we thought.