Bella's Birthday

My birthday falls on April 17th. Most years it coincides with the Easter holidays when I or everyone else is away. As a child in the 60's and 70's we didnt have parties in the way kids do now. I only remember during a shared family phase, we were allowed to choose what we wanted for supper. Now it is almost perverse if there isnt an ingenious celebration for each coming of age from 2 years onwards. I have enjoyed a few gatherings of 20 or so friends at home but I have never had a proper birthday party - until Thursday night, and that was camouflaged as the new season drop for Spring Summer '24. I love a good party, but building it around me has been too self-conscious making. Yet being at the centre of attention of peoples' well wishing and goodwill is incredibly heartwarming, fortifying and moving. Sometimes hiding out from fun is passive aggressive. Anyway, the party in my shop was the opposite of that - it was fantastic! It started as I arrived from work with my team and was thrilled by the sight of BELLA written in giant silver balloons in my shop window. Quickly, the shop filled up with friends, family members, colleagues and clients. To my joy there were even a few of my absent-at-university son Jimmy's friends - tall young men who I have known since they were tiny. A vote of confidence. 

There were moments during the party when I felt so happy I kept wishing I was at home on my own, reviewing all the moments of the evening. Then catching myself and realising how absurd this was, and how this fantasy world has kept me from enjoying the real risk of actually having a wonderful time - in real time. As most people departed, apart from BF Teamsters and a few die hards, our brilliant DJ and beloved friend Neville Hyde turned up the music and we danced to the Spice Girls in a circle on the dark red carpet. Thank god I didnt miss it.