Jack turns nine and I’m feeling fine (right?)
My adorable bookworm of a nephew Jack turned nine today!
It’s been said that humans are the most adaptable species on Earth... some more than others it seems.
Today is our nephew Jack’s birthday and we weren’t going to let the chaos of the world rain on his parade. Jack is one amazing kid. He is the reason we are in Atlanta now and Jack was the reason we moved to this city back in 2012. Jack continues to be the sweetest, most kind hearted kid and words can’t express how proud we are of him. Not only is he compassionate and generous but he fully understands the importance of social distancing right now. Even though he couldn’t celebrate his birthday the way he wanted to he didn’t complain at. all. He gets it, and he’s only nine.
We spent the day with Jack and family and made the most of this bizarre situation we’re all in. We headed to Constitution Lakes Park, just south of Atlanta, to explore Doll's Head Trail, a nature preserve featuring some funky assemblages and collages of old dolls, toys and weathered found objects. It was fun to see the kids reactions to the art while attempting to explain their significance, I actually had to describe the notion of an old public payphone to them. “Before everyone had their own phone, imagine that world!”
Along the walk I couldn’t help but check the news and saw a story out of Clearwater Beach where spring beakers were still packing the shore, completely ignoring social distancing guidelines. I explained my frustration to Jack and what their inaction meant to the greater good, and he reiterated how silly those people were - “didn’t they understand that they could get coronavirus and get other people sick”? If a nine year old can get it why can’t the rest of us?
We encountered a handful of people along the trail and were careful to walk to the side to maintain a safe distance. Even the simplest of interactions now felt so strange, and downright scary. Out in the woods, the only kind of public place we could just be, happy to be out in nature but fearful of coming into contact with any one else (or as they say in Lost “the others”). It’s a weird way to feel.
On the way back to Jack’s house we took a scenic detour by The Beacon, a new mixed use area in Grant Park that under “normal” circumstances would be at the top of my list to check out. We passed by a field of grazing horses from the Atlanta Police Department, and some hungry goats, refreshing sights to see in the city.
We returned home for some mid-day family TV time, a rare occurrence at the McFall house, but alas it was Jack’s birthday. An old soul, he selected The Prisoner a 1967 British spy series, this kid really is cool. Sitting on the couch between the kids, as they sat glued to the show, I felt a sense of normalcy. I was grateful to be enjoying this simple pastime together and appreciated it in a whole new way. I cling to the idea that at the end of this all we will rise as a more grateful for society… at least it gives me strength for now.
The birthday festivities continued with some homemade pizzas, thanks to fresh dough from Uncle Gavin. An added treat was enjoying dinner in front of the TV so Jack could start watching Gilligan’s Island. He got the biggest kick out of Gilligan’s silly antics, and I was comforted by the sound of his careless, unrestrained laughter. If Gilligan and crew could make the most of life marooned on the Island we could make it through this.
Today’s Silver Lining: Getting to have Jack all to ourselves on his birthday.
Today’s Headlines: Trump tried to claim he always knew the Coronavirus would be a pandemic (despite initially claiming it was under control and days ago not evening being “concerned), California Governor says schools will likely be closed for the remainder of the school year, Coronavirus now in all 50 states
Best Thing I Saw: Jack’s face when he opened one of our presents, the set of Bad Guys books 1-5 that he proceeded to finish all today!
Best Thing I Read: Instagram posts from @crazybitchprobs_, every one makes me laugh out loud.
Best Thing I Ate: Red velvet cupcakes for Jack’s birthday. They were so top heavy that two of them fell on the flower, one after another in a comedy of errors. It was great comic relief.