I am at Saila’s home in Finland where we are celebrating my birthday, even though it is not even April so nowhere near either of our birthdays.  I see a lot of gifts for me and notice one in particular on which is written “Have a Happy Birthday and A Lot of Sex.”  This makes me uncomfortable because there are children present, or at least that is what I say.  The truth is, a larger part of why I am not amused is because I am not having sex.  I see the person who brought the gift.  “Aren’t you even going to ask me what I’m doing in Finland?” I ask but she shrugs, not especially interested.  I introduce my “friend” to Saila and this other woman hands her a bouquet of what I think is white rushes at first but which I realize is actually artistically woven rope, knotted in such a way as to look like a plant of some sort.  I tell Saila that I think the two of them will get along and in my heart I know that they will but that their friendship would not have room for me.

Later, I am relaxing around a dinner table with a couple who has just put their young child down for a nap.  I’m thinking about Joe’s pregnancy and how soon we will have the responsibility of changing diapers and more. I stretch and say, “I haven’t had to change diapers in ages.  Joe’s going to have to show me what to do and how to do it until I remember the finer points of it all.” 

(I think it's safe to say that I didn't actually think Joe himself was pregnant but apparently he was expecting a child to be delivered in some way, shape, or form.)