Chaya's 26th Birthday!!!

It is Sunday morning and after a long nights’ closing shift I am feeling pretty good that Chaya’s 26th birthday lunch at Mi was such a success! The only absentee was Nika, but she called as we were leaving, so at least we knew she is well.

The plates were scrumptious and served with professional flair. I had a Cajun Salmon sandwich on a sesame bun that fairly melted in my mouth along with an organic baby greens salad with lemon dressing fortifying me for my coming days’ work. I rarely eat much before work, but devoured this meal with so much gusto that my children looked on in astonishment.

The waiter, who was born and lived in Vancouver until he was 5, served us with grace and a strong New Zealand accent. He caught the spelling of Chaya’s name from the card I had addressed to her, and at the end of our dinner, bought over a delicious miniature cheesecake with candle on top, which had been place in the center of a strawberry sauce caption, spelling out Happy B-Day Chaya!

We all looked at each other in confusion wondering who of us initiated this, until finally he admitted that it was his gift! Needless to say, he got a big tip!

After all, we all have something larger than life to celebrate this birthday with Chaya's recovery and it is a giant leap of energy ahead after the feelings surrounding us all last year at this time.

Outside in the street we exchanged hugs and kisses. Kadir was off to spend the rest of the weekend with his mom and looked pretty happy despite being told he could not bring his computer loaded with the game World Warcraft, which he seems attached to at the navel. His mom looked pretty happy too; as she has finally moved into into a place she likes, which has a big balcony with a great view of the snow-capped Lions, the docks and the Burrard Inlet.

Ky and Chaya went off to do some errands, and she to give Ky another chance to improve his driving skills in big city traffic.

And dad went off to work, with a smile on his face and a song in his heart!