taking care of the place

happy birthday from afar

happy birthday from afar
Written by Cathoel Jorss,

Tomorrow is my Mum’s birthday, she’s eighty. Tomorrow is already today in Brisbane because Australia is tomorrowland. I rang her on the videophone we used to so dread in my youth. She looks pretty in her top and skirt. I had a red ‘H’ and a purple ‘B’ from the cafe table where I sat in the rare sun last week, where the cups had not been cleared and someone else had opened presents and left the wrapping and these lettered candles behind. The two letters fit in the bright orange persimmon I had halved and set on a blue plate. I lit the candles and sang her happy birthday. Then she blew and I blew the candles out. I opened the tiny bottle of champagne I have saved in my fridge ever since summer. That special occasion had arrived. Mum had to rush off to meet her two sons and I have not yet told her about the deep massage I plan to enact by long-distance, now she’s had two hips and both knees replaced and requires some tender and gentle loving care. Imagine to be 80 and to have outlived your husband. That’s something hard and good, I think.

11 comments on “happy birthday from afar

  1. Jo says:

    Hope your mum has a wonderful birthday!
    How lovely for you to have blogged this for her 💕

  2. Bronny Evans says:

    Dear Cathoel’s Mum, O to have a daughter like yours..a true Warrior for/of Love&Spirit and human/children’s rights &More and a luminescent wonderful writer, and Music maker: You must be a very special human..launching her star. Happy, Happy Birthday ..have a wonderful summer. 🙏

  3. Jayde says:

    Happiest of birthdays to you, Cathoels mum! 🎂❤️
    I second the comment above! Said perfectly.

  4. Sophie says:

    Happy birthday Mrs Jorss – I hope that you have a wonderful celebration and enjoy your year.

  5. Stephen Gagen says:

    Have a wonderful 80th birthday dear Mrs Jorss – thinking of you and Cathoel on this special day! Many Happy Returns! Love from Steve

  6. Bert says:

    Have a wonderful and joy filled birthday….and many more

  7. Brad says:

    Happy birthday from San Francisco! I hope it was a wonderful one. With such an incredible daughter, I can only imagine how incredible of a person you are. Hope your 80th was youthful and vibrant.

  8. Seamus says:

    Happy Birthday Carol, Thank you for your patience with the Chariot, all the work is done and the Registration will be transferred tomorrow morning in Brisbane… Enjoy your Birthday and all the best for a great year, Regards, Seamus Duffy

  9. Alice Thomas says:

    Happy birthday from a very foggy Munich!

  10. christine locke says:

    Happy Christmas! I was trying to find Carol’s email and came across your site.

    Love
    Christine Locke

    • Cathoel Jorss says:

      Oh, Christine, how wonderful to hear from you. I am spending Christmas all alone in a very laidback and simple mud hut resort along the coast of Ghana, far from Accra. I will tell Mum you said hello and will email you her address. Love from here. Cxxxxx

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