Susan Senator

Something I saw years ago, when I was first married and living at 4413 Pine in Philly, was Felicia and Frisco’s fantasy honeymoon. I believe this is where it all began for me. Sean Donnelly had decorated his penthouse Arabian style, with festooned colored gauze and tents and pillows. And Felicia, of course, wore a great BD outfit. Frisco was a sheik, and looked like he felt both foolish and in love.

For my 45th birthday, I want to suspend chiffon from the ceiling of my entryway and staircase, all the way down to the livingroom. Nothing but candlelight, but tons of it. The coffee table would be gone, so that there would be a large area for dancing and for people to sit. There would be pillows everywhere so that my guests would be comfortable. The spicy aroma of Middle Eastern food would fill the air.

I would have something like George Abdo’s Misirlou going on the stereo and I would come down wrapped in veil, zilling. I don’t know which costume I’d wear; maybe my new gold or I might buy that gorgeous Eman from Dalahl.

I would have a bunch of my closest friends there as well as Laura and my parents. It would be my debut performance, my declaration that age and any other challenges won’t beat me. Columbus Day Weekend. Mark your calendars.