5/9/21
Sharing a birthday with any holiday is the worst (December babies, I feel your pain). This year, my birthday perfectly lined up with Mother’s Day. Usually when this happens 1) I hide from the world all day because 2) I don’t get a birthday that year. Actually, If my birthday lands on that Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday I generally don’t get a birthday that year, meaning I only have a real chance at having a real birthday 2 out of every 7 years.
To say the least, it’s not fun.
This year was extra ironic. The first year I’m in a woman’s facility, surrounded by mothers, and my birthday is the day of. I was expecting to have my b-day completely neglected, mostly because in the men’s facilities my birthday was usually not something other people cared about and as a kid my birthday was secondary to Mother’s Day to the point where many years I didn’t have a birthday at all.
I had a birthday this year. I do love it when I’m wrong.
The people I’ve been getting to know here and hang out with every day (I hesitate to use the word “friends” just yet, trust issues and all that) made a concerted effort to make my birthday special. I started off the day telling them “Happy Mother’s Day” and they immediately replied “Happy Birthday.” This continued throughout the day as other people learned it was my birthday. (Something about my hopefully-future-friends telling people it’s my B-day)
During the yard period after lunch I was given a card, and a couple presents. And during the yard period after dinner there was cake. Like, honest to Dog cake! I have no idea how it was made, but it was sooooo good! Chocolate soda cake with peanut butter frosting in the middle and chocolate frosting on the outside. Yeah, it did’t survive the hour.
It’s been a long time since I felt cared for by anyone who is incarcerated and is not my significant other. John made my birthday special. TJ made my birthday special. I honestly can’t remember anyone in here who’s made my birthday special prior to that. Here’s the real kicker. These three women and one gender nonconforming person went out of their way to make me feel good today while missing their kids.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it lately, but… I am so glad to have been moved to WCCW. That’s all there is to it.
Amber Fayefox Kim 