Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Best Birthday Ever

Who knew my kids could lie so well?

With the stealth-of-mission worthy of a Mossad sting operation, it turns out that my children – long before I even left for Vienna – had been plotting, scheming, and exercising the most extreme secrecy in order to stage a birthday surprise that would top all birthday surprises. And if there is such a thing as happy PTSD, then I have it, because I am still reliving that moment of surprise over and over in my mind. And it sends my heart racing every time.

The last time I had seen Ben was at the end of September 2010, when he left for London to study at the Royal College of Art. I’d said my tearful goodbyes to Michelle after Thanksgiving, and then again on New Year’s Eve, when I’d had to return briefly to NJ.

Since then, thanks to e-mail, Facebook and, above all, Skype, I’ve been able to stay in touch, but of course it’s not the same as being together. A few weeks ago, Ben suggested that he might like to come for a visit around the time of my birthday. Of course I was ecstatic, and immediately began thinking of all the places we could go and things we could do for the week (Monday to Friday) that he said he’d be here.

So after teaching my morning class on Monday, the 2nd, I hopped on the CAT train to the airport, and with great joy and jubilation, hugged my beamish boy on his arrival. We stopped for a jause (afternoon snack) in the outdoor garden of my neighborhood café before going to my apartment, and Ben’s reunion with Scout. Let me tell you - that was one happy dog! (Ben was pretty happy too.)

On Tuesday, my birthday, we walked and walked all around my district, stopping for lunch at one of the university campus bistros. A quick return to the apartment to feed and walk Scout, then out again to stroll and shop through the streets of the 7th and 6th districts. When the shops started closing and my feet started giving out, we headed back to my place.

As we walked down the street towards my apartment, Ben asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day. I was clueless, and even surprised by the question. I think I said something like, “Nothing special.” Ben just grinned and said, “I think we can do better than that.” I shrugged and said, “OK, whatever you’d like to do is fine with me.” I looked up, and there in front of me stood Michelle and Arnon. I was speechless, flabbergasted, and overjoyed.
Oh, so happy me, out for my birthday dinner with my kids at Selbstverständlich (Obviously), my favorite local restaurant.
Ben made an omelet breakfast for us all
before our day's excursion.
It was the last thing in the world I was expecting, but the best thing in the world I could have ever dreamed of. Mish had told me that they were leaving on Thursday for Israel to see family. But, papushdeenisneakies that they are, they left on Monday instead and had arranged their itinerary to include a stop in Vienna. The down side was that, in reality, Ben could not take the time to stay the whole week. Of course, he’d known that all along, but told me he was going to stay through Friday just to ensure that I didn’t make any other plans. They had to be sure I’d be here – and not busy – for Michelle’s visit. Their master plan unfolded brilliantly.
A Ferris Bueller moment in front of
a Schiele landscape

Soooooooo, the next day, Ben, Michelle, Arnon and I went together to the Leopold Museum (great exhibit of Jugendstil/Art Nouveau jewelry and some amazing Schiele), and had fantastic Austrian cuisine for lunch. 
Aw ...











And aw ...
On the train to the plane
Coffee and strudel at the classic
Grienstedl Cafe
 






Ben gets his Wienerschnitzel
















Then we accompanied Ben to the CAT for his return flight to London. Michelle, Arnon and I ambled in and around the 1st district. Of course this included a  stop for coffee and apfelstrudel, then it was back to my place for a rest and a home-cooked meal. 

A quick stop to see one of the offices where I teach.




Thursday was Arnon’s turn to leave, as he was eager to see his family and home, where he hadn’t been in a year and a half. Mish and I had a glorious day together, strolling and eating at the Naschmarkt, window-shopping on Mariahilferstrasse (and, yes, a coffee at the old coffee house there). Dinner was a quiet meal of Austrian fare at the café around the corner. 

Yes, it's edible wurst, but it's marzipan!
Our parting the next morning was, of course, quite sad, but the utter joy and love I felt over the previous few days was enough to get me through the moment of separation. And I will be living off that for a lifetime.  Thank you, my dearest, most wonderful children, from the very bottom of my heart. You are the best, and you made this absolutely the best birthday ever.

4 comments:

  1. What an absolutely glorious experience, and lifetime memory, Vera. I'd been following your updates on Facebook but, of course, your blog entry fleshes out the event with many more nuances and detail. So happy you were able to share this very special time with your wonderful children.

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  2. I have tears rolling down my cheeks as I finish reading the most wonderful blog post ever, about the most wonderful family ever, and about how we can be so proud when our children learn what is REALLY important in life. Ben, Mishi - I loved you guys as infants, toddlers and pre-teens... and love you infinitely more as adults. How proud I am to call all of you "friend." And Vera, oh, I get it - I completely understand living off that joy for a long time to come. Some moments are just too special for mere words... and this one takes the cake. I love you all - and Vera, my heart swells with the joy I know you are feeling. What blessings, what gifts... makes us wonder what we did to deserve such total joy. But obviously whatever it was, it was the right thing to do. Happy Birthday, Happy Mother's Day to my dearest friend.

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  3. Bepster: You truly have wonder Kinder, but you already knew that! Ii cannot imagine how erstaunlich it must have been to see Mish and Arnon! I wish I could've been there just to see your face! You know that you are so near and so dear to my heart!

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  4. Yay, what a success!!! Mom, your reaction to the surprise was SO perfect. We could not have hoped for better, after all the planning and suspense... What a hard secret to keep -- but so worth it! I love you so much and I'm so glad I got to hug you in person for your birthday this year. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo See you on Skype! :-)
    PS. Ruth you are so sweet! I miss you!!!

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