Full Circle

Today was my dad's 65 birthday.

A bunch of us, including Frankie, went out for Chinese food. It was a very special evening not only because we were celebrating a very special birthday for a very special person, but also because we went to the same Chinese place where we used to go every Thursday when I was a kid. This time, however, we brought my kid. It was not Frankie's first time at New Mandarin Garden, (it was actually her third) but it was her first time with my dad--and what better day for her to accompany him than on his birthday?

For many men, the 65th birthday is characterized by prostate issues, medicare eligibility, and hair that no longer threatens to clog the shower drain...but for my father, it was a day stacked with an early morning phone call from Frankie, a "Happy Birthday" message when he swiped his card at the gym, and moo shu chicken.

There aren't too many places around here that hold the same nostalgic memories as New Mandarin Garden. Most of the restaurants from my childhood are long gone and if they're still around, we certainly weren't patronizing them once a week the way we did this one. I love the way it accumulates and stores memories for me, and I love that the interior has been well preserved so Frankie can experience the establishment in the same regard that I did. I love that everyone is so nice to us when we are there, and I love that the food is always stellar. I love that there is never a wait to sit down, and I love the irony of showing up over 25 years later with a daughter from China (Did you think I missed the irony?)

But most of all--I love that I can still go with my Dad. I know we will visit again soon and it will be like old times. We will slide into our old booth, we will dismiss the unnecessary offer of menus, we will swap stories and relive anecdotes, and best of all, we will be joined by the newest member of my father's family, his granddaughter.