#167 - Don't Like Isolated Birthdays

Dad's 93rd

Today is Dad's birthday. I've been fretting about it.

This photo was taken in 2018, when Dad moved into assisted living. Never would I have guessed that 2.5 years later, he would be isolated in his living quarters... for 6 months. How do you make your dad's birthday special, when you're far away and he is locked in.

​Gifts? Cards?

We were on the road coming back from seeing the kids, when I realized I was running out of time.

I always travel with stamps, so I made a corny card in a hotel room. I ordered gifts on Amazon. No homemade cookies or special handmade gifts.

Night Before

It made me so frustrated and sad and angry to know that my dad could not have a hug or a visitor or an outing on his birthday. Now, his facility allows some outdoor visits, but they don't schedule them on Wednesdays.

So I took this silly photo and sent it to my Uncle. He said he would share it with Dad when he saw him next.

FaceTime?

I knew I'd talk to Dad on his birthday, but that's nothing special. We talk daily. I wish we could do a FaceTime call, but he seems uncomfortable with that.

So I fretted some more. Then I had Don take a video of me doing a very silly Happy Birthday song. He jumped in at the end and we blasted horns. I sent the video to a staff member. "Could you show this to my dad on his birthday?"

What Else?

Then I worried more and texted the kids in CA and OR.

The kids sent videos and photos with birthday greetings. Yay! These would also be shared along with my singing video. 

Well, I guess all that worrying was for nothing. Dad had a good birthday, without my frantic worrying. My siblings all called and sent gifts. My Uncle was allowed to take him out for lunch, after all. What!? I was so surprised and pleased. I thought they were still on lockdown! Dad was delighted with the collage frame that I sent, but he didn't seem to remember anything about being shown photos or videos.

I think he just had too much going on and can't remember everything. Here I had pictured him, sitting all day watching his birds. He was having a much bigger pandemic birthday than anyone else has had in our family! Lunch out and tons of calls and gifts. Whew. I need to save my fretting for bigger things.