EVEN UP UNTIL THE EVENING PRIOR, I held hope that I could join the mission. But it was not to be.
I missed my grandson Isaac’s space-themed fourth birthday party on Saturday because I was still sick with a nasty cold*. Oh, how I wanted to be there for the celebration. But I knew in my heart of hearts that I couldn’t in all good conscience expose anyone to this virus. So I hugged Randy goodbye, told him to have a good time and broke down crying.
Until that moment, I didn’t fully realize how much I had been anticipating this gathering of family to celebrate a little boy’s big day. Not any little boy. But my beloved grandson. To miss his party proved beyond disappointing.
I busied myself during party time by taking down Christmas decorations, reading, compiling a grocery list for Randy, basically doing whatever to distract myself from the celebration unfolding 35 minutes away.
Occasionally Randy and Isaac’s mom, our daughter Amber, would text a photo. The space-themed table décor. The space-themed gifts Isaac loved, including a fleece blanket from Eclectic Alliance in Faribault. And the space-themed birthday cake Amber created with the input of her son who is an expert in all things solar system. I’m not exaggerating.
It was the cake, though, that meant the most to me, even if I wasn’t there to eat it. Earlier in the week Amber requested a photo of her brother Caleb’s long ago solar system birthday cake. The bakery where she typically buys her kids’ cakes was temporarily closed, thus she would need to make Isaac’s cake.
I was thrilled. I grew up with my mom making all of my birthday cakes, the designs often chosen from a “Baker’s Coconut Animal Cut-Up Cake” booklet. I followed the tradition, crafting my three kids’ birthday cakes*. And now this was continuing into the third generation, albeit maybe for just one year. Time will tell.
Together, Amber and Isaac designed the solar system birthday cake—a round cake (the sun) ringed by cupcakes (the eight planets). Isaac had strong opinions about colors and lay-out. Uncle Caleb texted from Indiana that when he celebrated his seventh birthday with a solar system cake, there was one more planet. Pluto.
In the end, I got Mars, set aside especially for me per my request. Randy also brought home three slices of sun and left-over pizza. When I bit into Mars, I tasted the sweetness of the cake and the love that went into creating it. I may have missed the actual party, but my loving family texted messages (“The presents were a hit”) and photos during the party and then saved some cake for me. In the absence of presence, I was still included in the mission of a special little boy blasting off into another year of life. We have lift-off!
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
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*I tested negative for COVID twice. Symptoms differed from COVID, but I wanted to be certain. Note, if you’re sick, please stay home, because you will make someone else (like me) ill.
*My two daughters on several occasions made their younger brother’s birthday cakes when they were all still living at home. There’s an eight-year age gap between youngest and oldest.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
this brought me to tears, Audrey, for so many reasons. I love that your daughter recreated the cake that you made for your son, for her own son. I love that they included you in the celebration even though you couldn’t be physically present. I love the homemade birthday cake page. I love that your grandson was so happy, and I love that you loved them all enough to keep them safe, even if it was hard for you. that is the best gift of all and a true act of love. p.s. I used to make my daughters’ cakes as well and we still talk about it. )
I appreciate all the love you’re giving me this morning in this loving comment.
What lovely memories. My mom made all of our birthday cakes when I was growing up too. Sorry you were sick, but I’m glad it’s not COVID! ❤
I love reading these stories from readers like you whose moms made all their birthday cakes. What a gift. And, yes, I’m glad my illness was NOT COVID.
We had many cakes from that same book and I made “shape” cakes for my boys. When Theo visited a few weeks ago and we had a joint Pop Pop /Theo I must admit I had the grocery store make the cake. I did provide the Cars cars for it and I was really happy with how it turned out. Isaac’s cake is adorable.
So so thankful you had that belated birthday celebration with Theo. You know what it feels like to miss the party.
So sorry you had to miss the birthday celebration – thank goodness for technology in getting to see a few photos though. I love when you talk about your mom and you and your family making birthday cakes. The solar system has come back around! I still make cakes too and usually nothing fancy just you classic 13×9 pan cake with frosting, whip cream, fruit, chocolate, candies, etc. Happy Birthday Big Boy! Take Care – Enjoy Your Day 🙂
These birthday cake memories are wonderful to read. Your cakes sound delicious. Nothing fancy works for me as long as the cake tastes great. My mom always made homemade chocolate cake called “Crazy Cake.”
I have a few fans that ask me when I am making cake again – ha! I have switched it up in the last few years in using really good olive oil in lighter cakes (dream of my lemon olive oil cake – YUM!) and then avocado oil in spice and dark chocolate cakes. Everyone seems to prefer the whipped cream over the frosting for some reason. I am making myself hungry.
Now you’re making ME hungry for cake. Your cakes sound delicious. Do you whip your own cream? I always do whenever I want a whipped cream topping. No Cool Whip for me.
At times and for some reason the fam likes their Cool Whip too.
🙂
I’m so sorry you had to miss Issac’s party!
What a fun cake…very clever! I made all my kids cakes…and enjoyed doing so, and coming up with the ideas, but I never did the the sun and planets!
Coming up with the cake ideas was part of the process. I’m sure your boys appreciated their specially Mom designed and made birthday cakes.