Birthday Blessings And A Banana Or Two

June 2, 2026

What a day! It's my 86th birthday and I'm here to enjoy it. So many visual, virtual, fragrant and unexpected reminders from friends and family. Best of all, Lily surprised me by showing up yesterday. I knew Lily was coming Thursday or Friday for Maggie's H.S. graduation, So this didn't compute. I stood there and stared through the screen door at whoever was ringing the doorbell. And then it registered. It's LILY! So I unhooked the door and hugged my first Grand like there's no tomorrow. Which at my age, isn't all that hard to imagine.

My neighbor, Beth, dropped off a card and a succulent in a heart shaped planter. We love hearts. Good neighbors are part of why I love living in Glosta. There's so much to enjoy. Like today, when my brother-in-love, Jim, dropped by with lobsta rolls from Market Basket. So we just sat on the deck and enjoyed some catching-up-time together.

Then, this morning, Lily and I went to Mom's Kitchen for a birthday breakfast. Elsa's cinnamon rolls are worth the trip. It's small and homey. At the table next to us sat a family of three: Mama, Papa and little John. It turns out that John, who kept smiling at me, like he knew a secret, was one today, while I turned 86. The waitress sang to us. John clapped and I lapped it up.

When I arrived home, I found flowers from my friend, Gail. My son-in-love had flowers on the porch before breakfast, along with two bananas. I took it as a banana for each ear, in case there was stuff I didn't want to hear. Remember the old response,"I can't hear you, I've got a banana in my ear"? Get It? Me neither.

Well, I'm not planning on naming everything and everyone today. Besides, part of me says,"Enough about you!" But another part says, "Eat it up!"Which is what I've been doing in more ways than one. Like yesterday at Cherry Farm Creamery in Danvers. OK, so I started partying early.

Why? Well, ostensibly, I'd gone to get a gift certificate for someone. But then I thought, tomorrow's my birthday, why not start the party early, since you never know what a day can bring forth. So I ordered a chocolate soda with Coconut Almond Chip ice cream. As I started slurping it down, I felt a tap. Meg Herman and her grandson, Tristan, were in line behind me. Caught! Tristan was giving me one of his beautiful, knowing smiles. Why?

Well, yesterday, after Church, I stopped at Down River Ice Cream in Essex to, ostensibly, get some gift certificates for upcoming birthdays. Then, like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, "I got a wonderful, awful idea!" Why not bring a pint or two home? Well, as I awaited my treasure trove, I heard the familiar voice of Peter Heltzel. He, the spouse of Sarah Herman, and their son, Tristan, stood in line behind me. Like the old spiritual says,"There's no hiding place down here." So, no wonder Tristan looked at me like I was a repeat offender, when he and his grandmother, Meg Herman, saw me in line at another ice cream shoppe.

For sure, I am sensing God's grace and love through you and others. Which is something I wish for you. Brennan Manning shares a story, quoted in Philip Yancey's book, Grace Notes."An Irish Priest, taking a walking tour of his rural parish, saw an old peasant kneeling by the side of the road, praying. Impressed, the priest says to the man,'You must be very close to God.' The peasant looks up from his prayers, thinks a moment, and then smiles,' Yes, he's very fond of me.' "

I suspect we all need reminders that God is very fond of us, like I sense today. Thank you for being part of God's affirmation team. I wish the same for you when your birthday comes 'round, along with a banana or two.

Pat Sheridan — June 2, 2026

Happy Birthday to you, blessed lady and friend!
All the best, Pat