Tiffany Painter

Yesterday was a big day of celebrating. I took my mom to the 94th birthday party of my childhood friend’s mother. When you live next door to your BFF, her mother becomes your second mother. You are expected to follow her rules at her house the way her daughter needs to follow your mom’s rules at your house. All of my friend’s siblings were there with many of their children, now mostly grown as well. You can imagine the reminiscing that went on. The younger generation laughed at the stories their grandmother shared as well as those told by their parents, aunts, uncles, and family friends. One of the birthday girl’s favorite memories from childhood was having tea parties with her miniature tea set. This provided the background for yesterday’s tea party complete with cucumber sandwiches, scones, and miniature sugar cookies. Everyone completed sentences about her life trying to figure out the best or correct answers to a time we weren’t present for. The dutiful daughters tried their best to remember the stories their mother told them, but the grandkids had more fun making up outlandish tales about their beloved grandmother. Some of these stories earned them sharp looks from their parents shocked by what was being said in front of their elder who sat laughing and soaking up the love from her devoted fans. I was aware these festivities were taking place while thousands of people were gathering around the country to protest so many things happening right now. But being at this particular celebration reminded me that life is never traveled in a straight line. The 94 years this remarkable woman has been alive has been filled with so many ups and downs, both on a world level and a personal level. I’m sure when life was filled to capacity with hardships it felt like the end, but here we were enjoying a tea party and laughing together. On the drive back home through a few cities and towns, I was filled with hope. Seeing all the pictures shared by the people who came together at events around the country to bring about change now and seeing the proof that we can live through hard days and still find happiness celebrating with friends and family gives me hope that there will be better days again. Happy birthday, Betty!

3/28

easy day for me
only job is looking cute
soaking up the warmth

3/29

brothers united
looking out for each other
enough treats for all

4/2

distracted by view
outside my window because
Inside tasks are drab

4/4

moral support friend
gives feedback on downward dog
but prefers sphinx pose

4/6

blue skies overhead 
mirrored in water below
place to sit and think