As of two days ago, my son turned four. Due to our commitment to social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we celebrated his special day at home with just our family of five.
We didn’t host a party; not a single friend was allowed to join. The stunning Mickey Mouse cake I had ordered is currently stashed away in the freezer. There were no pony rides, no petting zoo visits, no costumed characters, no face painters, and certainly no inflatable bounce houses. In fact, I didn’t even have balloons or streamers on hand. The local zoo was closed, and we couldn’t venture to the park or arrange playdates at a trampoline park. It was a birthday amid quarantine.
My son, Ethan, woke up bright and early, before his siblings. I scooped him into a warm hug and announced, “Happy Birthday! You’re four today! What do you want for breakfast? Cereal? Pancakes? Bacon?” With a cheeky smile, he replied, “How about cake?” We settled on making blueberry muffins from a quick-mix I had tucked away in the pantry.
After breakfast, Ethan entertained himself with a colorful set of measuring spoons, sorting them by size and playing kitchen. The rain poured outside, so he snuggled with his big brother under a cozy blanket to watch his favorite movie for the umpteenth time. Meanwhile, I rummaged through the kitchen, hoping to find enough ingredients to whip up a simple cake. I was thrilled to discover an old box of cake mix hiding in the back of the pantry. I used cream cheese and powdered sugar, mixed with way too much red food dye, for frosting. Miraculously, I found a few yellow cupcake liners. A long-opened pack of chocolate cookies provided the stale “ears”.
The results were far from perfect, but when Ethan saw the cupcakes, he squealed, “Mickey cupcakes!” He didn’t even mind that I served them on a Christmas cake plate since I couldn’t reach the plain one on the top shelf.
The afternoon was filled with games of Ethan’s choosing, movies, and snacks. For dinner, I popped some chicken nuggets into the oven at his request. The only birthday candle I had lingering was a sparkly yellow five left over from my thirty-fifth birthday last November, while Ethan was turning four. But that didn’t matter.
For the first time, he blew out the candle all by himself. As the flame extinguished, we all clapped and cheered for him as if he had just solved a complex equation. My partner gave him the biggest high five, and Ethan beamed with pride.
A few weeks prior, I had stumbled upon his gift in the after-Christmas clearance section. Typically, I would have questioned if it was enough, but this year I felt lucky to have any gift at all, making me grateful for that impulse buy. I didn’t even have wrapping paper, but I witnessed his face light up when my partner brought the large box in from the garage. Together, they assembled his new toy science lab, with Ethan proudly assisting his dad. For the rest of the night, we watched him happily dart around his lab, a tiny scientist in safety goggles and a huge smile.
This quarantine birthday will be one of our favorite family memories. We fully grasp the seriousness of this pandemic and feel helpless, yet we managed to find joy amidst the chaos. A couple of years ago, I experienced a miscarriage, and that night we took the kids to a drive-through Christmas lights display. Their wonder and laughter brought light to a dark moment. This birthday felt similarly like those Christmas lights—a glimmer of joy in an otherwise frightening time.
We recognize the importance of staying home during a crisis. For many, remaining at home is the best way to help, rather than rushing out to assist. This awareness kept me from dashing to the store for wrapping paper, better frosting, or balloons. It’s why we didn’t invite grandparents or host even a small gathering with friends. We are doing our part.
Yet, it is crucial to ensure my children retain the joy and magic of childhood during these times. I want to protect their innocence as long as possible. I was anxious about making this occasion feel special, but Ethan never once sensed that I had thrown his birthday together with odds and ends.
While I focused on the imperfect cupcakes, basic chicken nuggets, and unwrapped gift, Ethan saw only the special moments: cake, presents, and the love of family. In fact, given his autism, skipping the party was likely a relief for him.
In this unsettling time, I am seeking silver linings. One realization is how much easier it is to appreciate the beauty in simplicity when the distractions of life are stripped away.
As I reviewed photos from Ethan’s day, I noticed a familiar sign on my dining room wall that had often faded into the background. My partner crafted it when we bought our first home, featuring lyrics from a cherished country song:
“Love grows best in little houses
With fewer walls to separate
Where you eat and sleep so close together
You can’t help but communicate…”
It struck me that we weren’t merely stuck at home that day; we were fortunate to be together, healthy, and nourished. Many people around the world cannot say the same, and even during pandemics, we should recognize our privilege and express gratitude for our safe homes and families.
Doug Stone had it right: no matter the storm outside, love flourishes best in homes like ours.
For more insights on parenting during these times, check out this post on Home Insemination Kit. For authoritative information on home insemination, visit Intracervical Insemination. Additionally, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development offers valuable resources on pregnancy here.
In summary, despite the challenges posed by social distancing, my son’s birthday became a cherished family memory filled with love and creativity. We found joy in the simplicity of our celebration, emphasizing that love thrives even in difficult times.