The Birthday Party -
“He likes glitter”, was what my friend John had said when he invited me to his son’s 30th birthday party the day before. The sign on the Reader Board in the lobby of the hotel showed that in the “Starlight Room” there would be “Broadway Charlie’s Birthday Party”. That was all the information I had, so I did not really know what to expect. I was about a half an hour late but found that already some eighty people were there, each sporting something flashy; some glitter, a flapper dress, a superman cape, plastic winged glasses, and the music playing was Broadway show tunes of the 60’s like “Hello Dolly” and “Give my regards to Broadway”. Well, I had gambled and come with a bright red sweater, a black bowler hat and a black plastic eye-mask which was ornamented with a green feather and yes, some gold glitter. From the look of things it looked like I would fit right in.
Seeing John I walked over and he was delighted that I had come on such a short notice.
“Where’s Charlie?” I asked.
“Come over and I will introduce you?”
Charlie was dressed to make an impression. He is a tall, thin Hawaiian kid and was wearing a hair band over his straight black hair, a black loose cotton jacket with the sleeves rolled up, he had on a white shirt and black straight jeans, but over that under the jacket was a black flapper dress with long fringe to the knee. Around his neck were a couple scarves and three necklaces and on each wrist, two or three bracelets. He was standing in 2 inch heeled red pumps. He shook hands quickly, there was a positive greeting, a nod as he was constantly moving and smiling and laughing and then moved on to the next person. Those who had known him for years hugged, smiled, looked him right in the eye and were totally accepting, caring, loving, supportive, comfortable knowing his special ways. Those of us who were new to Charlie shook his hand, got his quick acknowledgement and stood without knowing what next to do or what level to go to, but he made it easy as he danced on to the next person. Later John took the microphone from the DJ and told stories of Charlie’s and his life. He humorously said that his parents were eclectic so that Charlie had always been part of an imaginative lifestyle. He introduced a series of people who where Charlie’s caretakers. One, who had cared for him as a child, spoke of his smile, his ever positive spirit, his ability to humorously mimic others, and his love for musicals. She added that, right from the start he was always positive and radiated humor and love. There were others from the group home where he now lives and is loved by his caretakers and peers there.
As John and others spoke, Charlie posed as pictures were taken, moving quickly from one position to another, then he pulled a chair over and did seated poses. A tall, thin young blond girl, who had met him when he visited her college, had come from across the state. She wore her hair up and a Mardi Gras mask, a silver, leopard spotted, satin, tight fitting dress and a pale mink stole and long white gloves. She said knowing him had helped her through her tough college times and had in some way given her a new strength and positivism that had led her to a better place. At one point John put a soft hand on Charlie’s back to settle him a bit so that people could focus on what was being said. One of the speakers was the wife of the DJ who had worked with Charlie and had prepared two songs and a dance routine that he did. One of the songs was “Hello Rosie” which was a take-off of “Hello Dolly” changed to the name of one of his peers at the group house and done with lots of laughs and pointing to “Rosie” at one of the tables. His tap dance number was done in the red pumps. Charlie loved the attention, the audience, the picture taking,
What was truly amazing about the evening was the atmosphere in the room. There was a feeling of fun, respect, caring, It was clear that everyone enjoyed what was going on, all laughed freely, all wanted pictures to remember the event (not to capture something different) and were participating positively, knowledgeably without any judgment. There was a tremendous sense of freedom in the room, a high level of love and support. As an “outsider” I felt caught up in that great feeling. So many parties have their dull spots, their phony moments, their artificial conversations, their half true sentiments; this event was on some higher plane and when I came to leave I carried that feeling with me. There was a sense that in spite of what CNN or the media or Jerry Springer say, the world is not defined by greed and power, there are places that are just good.
It was a great party.
You don't find parties like that every day. If you like it; write about it.
