Happy Birthday

On July 11th, at 12:30a.m. I called Chris. Afterall, it was his 21st birthday. He answered the phone and I wished him a happy birthday. His response was, "Ma, it isn't my birthday yet." I corrected him that although he may be residing in Arizona he was born in Colorado. Therefore, he truly was 21. He couldn't argue with that logic.

This was his very first birthday away from home. I missed him greatly. I missed baking him his favorite cake. (I even had to ask what his favorite cake was this year. Does that mean I am losing touch with him???)

I asked him what he was going to do to celebrate. He acted as if I must be nuts. I was supposed to know that at the stroke of midnight, or a minute thereafter, anyone who just turned 21 absolutely had to go out to a nightclub somewhere to have his first drink. Of course your college buddies who were already 21 were going with you and would proceed to try to get you to drink as much as possible. And I am supposed to wish him well, have a good time??? I did ask him to be wise and be safe, told him I loved him, and wished him a happy birthday.

When the real morning arrived, I put off calling him. I figured he'd be sleeping in for awhile. I was surprised when he phoned around 10a.m. He regaled me with tales of his first night of being 21. He told me of a couple of shots he was "forced" to drink. The only one I remember was something like FIRE, I think he said Tequila and Tabasco sauce. Who thinks up these things??? Is this really supposed to be fun? But, at the same time, I was thankful that he called me. How many 21 year olds will call their mom and share with them what they really did for their birthday?

Somehow, hearing of his celebration, didn't help me feel better about missing out on his 21st birthday. No balloons, no cake, no covering his door with wrapping paper....sigh. I was told "No 21 year old wants to celebrate his birthday with his family," but I think that person doesn't know my son. Happy Birthday Chris!