Supply: Ron Lach / Pexels
Final yr on February 13, I turned 60—a milestone, some folks may say. On my fiftieth birthday, I used to be within the grips of anorexia and my brother threw me a celebration at Peter Kelly’s restaurant Xavier on the Hudson, with scenic views of the Hudson River and the then-named Tappan Zee Bridge. Chunks of ice have been floating within the river and I used to be surrounded by my closest household and pals. Sadly, obsessive about my weight and my physique, I used to be unable to loosen up and benefit from the occasion absolutely. If I recall, I even unintentionally threw up a few occasions, simply from the stress of holding my secret.
Ten years later, we have been within the midst of a pandemic. Creatively, I discovered a cupcake firm with progressive flavors that shipped everywhere in the nation. Along with carrot and crimson velvet, that they had cupcakes infused with cognac and Jack Daniels, and others flavored with tiramisu and strawberry daiquiri. I drew up the visitor checklist, obtained their most popular cupcake flavors, had them shipped out, and on the appointed night time all of us gathered on Zoom. My household — together with cousins from Baton Rouge and Florida — and pals sang “Blissful Birthday,” I blew out my candle, and we crammed our cupcakes into our mouths.
The following morning was a Sunday. I took my rescue canine, Shelby, for our traditional 6 AM stroll and on the midway level of our loop, I slipped on black ice on the sidewalk in entrance of somebody’s home and went down. Onerous. As quickly as I hit the pavement, I knew I had damaged my wrist. It damage. Quite a bit. I attempted to rise up, however I couldn’t. I used to be dizzy. Shelby was wandering off down the block and I needed to preserve calling her to return again to me. Fortunately, I had my cellphone with me and I referred to as 911, however I didn’t have my glasses on and will solely vaguely describe the place I used to be. Regardless they discovered me and the EMT’s have been tremendous good. They seen I used to be bleeding, which meant the bone had pierced the pores and skin. A police officer confirmed up and he took Shelby again to my condominium, getting the keys from the doorman. I went to the hospital the place an x-ray confirmed I had damaged each bones in my wrist and would want fast surgical procedure. I’d additionally want to remain within the hospital in a single day to obtain IV antibiotics.
What a awful follow-up to a sixtieth birthday. I suppose it was a reminder that I used to be getting outdated. I’ve osteoporosis from my extended wrestle with anorexia and had simply began receiving therapy for it within the type of a once-a-year infusion, however I suppose even that was no match for the influence of my wrist hitting the icy sidewalk. Therapeutic proved to be a problem. I wanted one other surgical procedure, then intensive bodily remedy. One of many damaged bones broken a nerve, so I’ve everlasting nerve harm in my index finger, which implies that the finger feels numb on a regular basis. And chilly. Not less than it was my left wrist, my non-dominant hand.
Final night time my brother texted me and requested me what I needed this yr for my birthday, which occurs to be on the identical day because the Tremendous Bowl.
I’ve no illusions about doing something on the precise day of my birthday. I’m enjoying it protected this yr. I instructed him I simply needed to have a quiet dinner with him, my sister-in-law, and my niece.
Sixty-one is an odd quantity, anyway.
Supply: © Andrea Rosenhaft
