Having a birthday during a pandemic is no fun, albeit I was in lockdown with company who had made me feel special considering the circumstances. I was in isolation and had no physical contact with anyone, which was a foreign concept. The habit of celebrating with those I'm closest to, specifically on my special day, turned into an amplified sense of aloneness. Nonetheless, the digital space had to suffice, and I made it through using the resources available to communicate and stay connected to all during a tumultuous 2020.
This year, I was blessed with lesser restrictions and was able to arrange a small and intimate soirée. The plan was simple: dinner and footy. Being autumn, it was quite chilly, and we needed comfort food and coziness. I felt for some scrumptious Italian flavours. The President Hotel has a lovely wood-fired pizza oven and a huge Telly that was perfect for us to watch the Champions League final. I had booked a spot at The Senate Bar and also booked myself in for a night's stay.
On the Saturday evening, everyone arrived and I felt grateful to be able to share the occasion with them in the flesh and not virtually as the previous year. I appreciated the gift of their time and thoughtfulness even more, as I knew what it feels like not being able to gather together. We were well taken care of with a variety of gourmet pizzas and a selection of Shiraz, Merlot and Pinotage on the vino front. My choice of birthday cake was carrot and it was a divine decadent delight. I remember blowing my candles out whilst everyone was singing happy birthday to me and because I was smiling so much, I almost forgot to make a wish. Luckily, I had remembered just in time!
We laughed and ate and talked and had so much fun. Before curfew, they had left and I took the elevator up to my room as elated as ever.
as Elated as Ever by EJ for EJblogtv
an Enjoyment Journal about Everything EJ
xoxo