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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Boise, Idaho

Yeah, we're here. Boise. Where I was born and raised. I left here 12 years go and moved to Portland. It always brings back memories and feelings....you all know how that goes.

And this year brings an unusual situation. You'll all remember the story about my Great Aunt Ruth. She and I have always shared birthday celebration at this time of year -- mine is the 19th and hers is the 24th. As long as I can remember, we have had dinner or dessert together. Always. She turns 90 this year. And we won't be celebrating together. The last year has brought up scores of painful memories from the past -- mostly my own mother's past. Aunt Ruth grew up living in the same home as my mom and her sisters. And as time has marched on, activities from the past have been brought to light that not only were inappropriate, but hurt my mother a lot. I don't have the inclination nor time to fool with them all here. And much of it happened long before I was around. Out of regard for my unselfish, loving mother, I will be opting to not celebrate with Great Aunt Ruth this year. I do feel badly. On many levels. But I think it's right to back my own mother who, clearly, has cared for Aunt Ruth for many, many years but who is now being treated like shit-(aki mushrooms). You just never know what the next fork in the road of life will bring. I will celebrate my 48th birthday on Friday with LoverBoy, my sister, my mom, my stepdad, my cousin and her husband, and my uncle and aunt. Minus Great Aunt Ruth.

We're always into helping out mom with things around the house that she can't do for herself when we get here -- a new shower curtain, changing all of the batteries in the smoke detectors, and other assorted odds and ends. We listen to the TV at blood curtling levels (because they can't hear), we put up with pokes and slams against the current US President and the current Boise (Democratic) Mayor. And we're helping my sister get her own mobile phone and account which is a nice step in a fresh direction for her. Mason loves it here. He has a giant backyard to play in -- and he runs so fast that it looks like his little white hair is going to blow off. He loves his Grandma and Grandpa so much.

So, we're here. And we're queer. And in Boise, that's sayin' somethin'.

12 comments:

Ultra Dave said...

Well Happy Birthday! And there is no place like home.

Unknown said...

Happy early birthday my friend! And I love that you give so much of yourself to your family! Queer up Boise for all of us!!! XOXO {and a pinch to grown on} ;-)

RAD said...

Boise queer boy! Hope you have a nice time visiting home....Have a nice B day and all that jazz! Yes jazz not jizz! xx

Tai said...

Happy Birthday!

annie said...

i think it's great my brothers were all here at the same time to visit. mom absolutely loves to have you here, more than you will ever know. it also makes us stronger in the area of: putting down / ignoring / calming, stupid little things of insignificance to the real world, things we have no control over and simply don't matter in the scheme of things. that is life, love, family, serenity and joy. thank you again for everything, and especially for coming to visit us.

Jim said...

I hope you have a great birthday!

Lemuel said...

HB!

Pray tell, how did a Democrat get elected in Boise?! :)

Ur-spo said...

I hope your birthday is good enough otherwise. May Boise go well as it can be.
Will/Fritz send hello - they are across the table right now, having their tea. They too wish you a happy birthday.

LSL said...

It seems that there's always a lot of drama with family, but it sounds like you're having a nice visit and really helping out your mom. I hope you have a great birthday surrounded by lots of folks who love you! I'll be sending wishes over to Boise from here :)

Birdie said...

My mother will be 90 this fall. Her health is good if fragile, but the mini-strokes she's suffered have removed her filters for inappropriate comments. Some of what she has said lately is very painful to hear. We have to tell her "Let's not talk about that right now." It has to be very difficult to live with that daily.

Mark in DE said...

I'm sure it wasn't easy, but I think you did the right thing by supporting your mom. Maybe Great Aunt Ruth spent the day thinking about WHY you felt the need to break your birthday tradition.

Mark in DE said...

P.S. Very happy birthday!!