This is the year of the milestone birthdays. My eldest
niece turned 21, middle niece turned 18, and the youngest turned 16. Each of
these significant life markers has happened during the pandemic, and in most cases, without the usual
family gathering. There was also a high
school graduation in there, or there will be in a couple weeks, due to the life-altering
shifted schedules bestowed by the specter of COVID-19.
It’s a little freaky, and it seems like last week my nieces were infants or toddlers. Then suddenly they were taking ballet classes and also
running around with sticks playing street hockey and going off with their friends and now they are grown. One has
even moved away. Amazing how lives progress.
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| My niece and I like this. We are chocolate soul mates. |
This past Saturday we gathered in person to celebrate the
youngest’s birthday, which was just a few days away. She has blossomed from a tiny dancer/athlete
known for wearing sequins every day to a graceful and beautiful young woman athlete
who likes chocolate with chili in it and studies cabinetmaking. The sequins have since been abandoned, which felt
like a shame when I found a gorgeous multicolored sequin skirt while shopping
with Mom, and I couldn't find the Chocolate bar with Chili. There
were tacos and a cheesecake assortment, cupcakes, and ice cream, and except for
the cloud of the pandemic, and spacing, and not hugging, it almost felt normal.
It was the first time I’ve been in a group of more than four people since
mid-March, so it also felt a little bit stressful.
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