social distancing – Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian

The above sign can be seen almost everywhere these days. A similar sign was on the door of the restaurant my boys and I had breakfast at on Sunday. It obviously doesn’t mean anything …. In the past year, I have only eaten out twice. Once was for my anniversary (and they had everything set up perfectly for social distancing) and the other time was Sunday.

My boys wanted to go to Leo’s Coney Island for breakfast, and we met at 10am. When we walked in, there were only two table available (social distanced). There was a table across from us that had a sign on it similar to the one below:

About 10:30a, the restaurant starts to get a bit busier. People are beginning to wait for tables. One group of guys come in and none of them are wearing a mask. I made a comment under my breath to my boys about it and finished my breakfast. My sons were not quite done eating and a waitress comes over and removes the sign on the table across from us and seats the maskless morons at that table.

I could feel my anxiety levels jump out of control. I told the boys to put their masks on and we were leaving. I’m not even sure if they were finished eating. I was done.

Why bother with the signs on door or on the tables if they mean nothing?

I’d hate to think that we may eventually do what they are doing in the UK. Did you see this? They want to put in social distancing “lamp shades” over tables for people to eat at!

I mean, look at that thing! How can anyone enjoy a meal under that thing?? It’s like the friggin’ Cone of Silence from Get Smart!

I don’t think I’ll be ready to eat out again for some time ….

I received my invitation to join the AARP early last week. A week earlier the letter from the Secretary of State telling me my plates were about to expire came in the mail. Both served as a reminder that I was about to get older. Three days ago, I completed my 50th trip around the sun. I celebrated the 11th anniversary of my 39th birthday, as I like to say. My milestone birthday was celebrated in quarantine.

All over Facebook there are “quarantine items” you can have made. You can have things like: “Our first anniversary – in quarantine,” “Class of 2020 – the one spent in quarantine,” or “I turned 50 in quarantine and all I got was social distancing,” put on T-shirts, coffee mugs, or just about anything. I’m thankful that I didn’t get any of that stuff for my birthday. As a matter of fact, I am glad it happened while in quarantine!

Why would I be glad about that? Well, I know my wife. She would have found a way to throw me some sort of party. Don’t get my wrong, I would love to see all my friends and family. I just wouldn’t want all the hoopla surrounding my age. I can see all the black “Over the Hill” balloons, “Look who’s 50!” banners, and I’d receive gifts like a cane with a bicycle bell and rear view mirror on it! No, I don’t need that. Besides, most of my close friends are all turning 50 this year, too. I’m sure there will be some sort of birthday party down the road for one of them. I can go to that and celebrate with them! Hell, maybe a joint party is needed?

We had some errands to run early in the day, so I was out when my oldest son called me. I felt bad, because he drove to my house to surprise me with a card. He left it in the door for me and he had me video chat him when I got home. He told me he couldn’t find a Tim Horton’s card, so he opted for Burger King, because he knows I drink their coffee, too!

Another friend texted me and said “Yo! What is your favorite beer?” This made me chuckle. I told her that was the weird text of the day and told her two of my favorites. On the drive home, I received another text from her that simply read: “Yo! Check your porch!” When I got home there was a six pack of each of my favorite beers and a wonderful heartfelt note.

One of the errands we had to run was for my wife. She had me stop at this local bakery and sent me in to pick up her order. She had asked me earlier in the week what my favorite ice cream was. I told her it was probably Mint Chocolate Chip. This little bakery made me a Mint Chocolate Chip birthday cake. It was simply delicious! It tasted just like the ice cream!

She and Ella made me a very special birthday gift. I cannot even begin to tell you how special it is. She took Ella’s footprints and made a heart. I cried when she gave it to me. I always hope that she will see me as her first love and her hero! I can’t wait to hang it up.

Ella’s feet were busy this week. 10 days earlier, for Mother’s Day, I had also used her feet for an art project. Funny how my wife and I think alike … I heard Sam singing “You are My Sunshine” to Ella one day and then found this idea, and made it for her.

Throughout the day, there were countless Facebook messages, calls from my son, brother and father, and text messages from friends and family. Getting to spend my birthday at home with my wife and daughter meant the world to me. As a matter of fact, it was the perfect way to spend the day.

Her smile just melts my heart!

So what will 50 bring? I don’t know. What do I wish for? Good health. Weight loss. A growing family. Less stress. Job security. More family time. To be a better husband and father. Less debt. Better time management. A deeper and stronger faith. To be more forgiving. To be less angry. The ability to let go of the things that hold me back. To be more positive. To make amends for wrongs I have done. To look at each day as a gift. To listen more. To smile more. To love and cherish those who are important to me.

Cheers to another year!