Our Town Day

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Originally uploaded by kristn1284

Saturday March 20, 2010 was my midlife Our Town Day. Let me explain.

One rainy night in the fall of my 8th grade year I didn’t have a book so I started reading ahead in my English Literature textbook and I discovered Our Town. Ever since it has been my favorite. I have seen the play performed several times and always enjoy revisiting the story. For anyone not familiar it is a play about a woman that has passed on and she gets to go back and watch 3 days of her life as if it was a movie. She is warned not to pick days like her wedding or children’s birth, only “ordinary” days. Throughout my life I have thought about what days I would pick in the same situation. I had firmly picked 1 from my childhood and often wondered which one would be my midlife choice. That choice was made for me on Saturday.

I had planned on starting the day early; trying to do as much of the things I had not accomplished the day before to get ready for the party. At 6:30 just as I was getting out of bed I heard Nate calling me, which is very early for him. As I walked into his room he was standing in his crib pointing at the nightstand “Mum Mum – books”. My poor little dude missed his books yesterday. (For a “children’s” hospital there were only 2 books for his age in the waiting room). I scooped him up and we sat in the early morning sunshine and read some books.

After a diaper change I took him downstairs knowing my Mom would be anxious to see him as Nate was asleep when we came in the night before. I rounded up another pile of books and we went into her room. As I suspected she was sitting up reading and was pleased to see Nate. He lay between us for over half an hour, only sitting up to alternate handing us books to read next. I think I will always remember that time, lying in her antique 4 poster bed with the bright sunshine streaming in the room as we read and cuddled. Nate was fine, Mom was reassured, even I wasn’t being “all me” about the upcoming day. All was calm with the world for this brief time.

Tom came in and took Nate for his breakfast and I went to my thinking spot, the shower. I figured I had 2 hours until people were due to arrive. I needed to feed them most of all. I thought if I made enough balloons no one would notice lack of other decorations. (I think this worked). So out of the shower and into prep mode. I discovered that when you know there is no way you can get everything done it is much more relaxing than *almost* getting it all together, if you know what I mean.

So the kid’s party started at 10. Kids arrived. Kids played. Kids ate cupcakes. It was all smooth. Our play date friends are really great. Aunt Stacie & Grandma Joyce showed up with a Starbucks for me and the groceries I had been unable to pick up the day before, everything started to fall into place.

The day progressed at a lovely even pace. People came and went; it was never overwhelming or too crowded. Just nice steady visitors all to show their love to my beautiful daughter and express concern over Nate’s accident. The beautiful weather helped everyone’s mood too, we were out on the porch a good bit and Annabelle had everyone who showed up in the trampoline with her. At dinnertime we did a head count and then ordered broasted chicken from our local restaurant. With Pittsburgh Potatoes and cheesecake it was one of my favorite meals ever.

Two highlights of the day.

- Annabelle had a “tap recital” on the porch after dinner. She insisted on a flashlight spotlight and completed it with a curtsey. During this time she was glowing with happiness. I got it all on video, which made me feel like a good parent.

- Annabelle said to me in the afternoon as I was cleaning up in the kitchen “When I blew out my candles I wished my Mum would go outside and blow bubbles with me” I immediately dropped the dishrag in the sink and said “lets go”. And we did.

Finally as the day came to a close, children were in bed, most of the party was cleaned up, and dishwasher was running. I sat with Grace and talked to my BFF Stacie & her Mom. We rehashed the day, we shared memories, and we just chatted as only family can do. It was the perfect wind down to a whirlwind few days. They left a little after 10 and I headed to bed myself feeling connected, satisfied with good work completed, pleased at the outpouring of love Annabelle had received and the kind of genuine happiness that is usually reserved for fleeting moments.