By Janet M., January 28, 2019 — Today is my 79th birthday. That’s pretty mind-boggling to think about isn’t it? Although, I don’t really feel like I am 79 years old. I am still pretty active and make sure to keep my mind busy with my card games at the club and such. Wow. 79 years old.
Growing up I never really had birthday parties. My parents divorced when I was very little, so I did celebrate with each side of the family; I never had any extravagant parties with friends though. One of my most memorable birthdays was when I turned 50. I was driving with my husband, after we went to church, to my younger sister’s house for what I thought was a just a get-together for birthday cake. It turned out that they were throwing me a surprise 50th birthday party! I still remember how shocked I was! When I walked through the front door I was overwhelmed with the faces of my family and friends; I was overwhelmed in the best way possible dear. My sons and their wives had these huge smiles on their faces because they were finally able to trick me. They even invited my teacher friends! Oh, it was such a wonderful time. There was a large board where all of the guests wrote beautiful birthday messages to me. I believe that board is still in my cellar somewhere. I should dig it out and try to find it by my next birthday. Wouldn’t that be fun!
When it was time for cake, vanilla cake of course, I did not know I was in for another surprise. My youngest son bought the candles for my cake. Need I say more? He thought it would be funny to buy the trick candles that don’t blow out right away! Lets just say it was a good thing I still had all of my real teeth!
I think my favorite part of that party was the video slide show my son and daughter-in-law made. It was filled with all of these photographs of from when I was just a baby up until my 50 years. It sure was something to see how much I have changed with each picture. I wonder what that would look like now.
That room was filled with so much love. I am so lucky to have such a great family. Even right at this very moment I feel lucky to be eating my favorite Chinese food with my granddaughter and her boyfriend. This is another birthday memory that I will cherish. We do have the best family, wouldn’t you agree?