My Surprise Birthday Party

I only mentioned my surprise birthday party in yesterday's post since I try not to make a big issue of my 'declining years'. However, in not giving some detail, I offended my youngest daughter, so I told her I would give more details today.

My son, whose truck had burned on Christmas Eve morning had borrowed my vehicle since I had no place I had to be for several days. He told me he was taking me out on Friday night to repay me for the use of said vehicle and for my birthday. He then found out that his wife would be unable to join us because she had to work late that night.

I had kept his son, and one of the other granddaughters Thursday night and all day Friday, then thinking it would be just the two of us to keep up with a 5 year old, a 4 year old and an 18 month old, I tried to get him to change til Saturday night, but he wouldn't. Did this raise a red flag as it should have--no, not with my old dense self. So off we went.

I did think it a bit strange that he didn't let me pick the place to eat, but knowing how he loves fish, I wasn't surprised that he headed for Ron's Catfish. We waited in line to pay, and while doing so, I began scoping out a place to sit. And as luck would have it, I saw a table for 4 that would be just perfect for us. Heading off in front of me, he said he'd rather sit in the back. I followed.

The first person I saw was my sister-in-law's mother and dad. Didn't think too much about that. They live near and I occassionally run into them. Then I saw my sister-in-law and was about to say, 'you just thought you could come to our area and not let me know you were here'. Then I saw my other sister-in-law and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'd been had!!

We had surprised my brother when he turned 60, but since nobody had mentioned my birthday, I thought I was sliding by. They hadn't mentioned it because they were plotting and planning behind my back. I told you yesterday they were devious.

All together, I had 23 family members and friends. Both my brothers live out of state, so I don't get to see them often, but I was certainly glad they were there. My oldest brother lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and my younger brother lives in Brandon, Mississippi. My step-brother and his family and my step-parents all live in Jonesboro. I was blessed they were all there.

We ate, I opened presents, and then we had birthday cake. We visited and pretty much closed up the restaurant. I got a gift card, some money, some really smell good stuff including a bottle of my favorite cologne, and a basket from my younger brother and his wife, and I know she's the one who went to all the trouble. He just got to put his name on the card. It had one of the new cards that you can load 50 pictures on to carry with you, a lotion, shower gel and stuff to use on your hands from Bath and Body works that smells like cotton, an album of pictures of my grandson at Disney World, some candy and the cutest little thing to hang your glasses on(I should have taken a picture). It a ceramic nose. I've never seen one of them before. I also got a really soft scarf and gloves. The kids did a framed picture of my grandchildren. It is a frame for three pictures, and they did each set of grandchidren in black and white which I think I'm going to hang it in my office.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a birthday so much. They weren't big deals when I was growing up. We got our favorite meal cooked and our favorite cake. Which for poor folks like us was a pretty big deal in the grand scheme of things.

I hope you are having a wonderful day. It's 34 degrees and raining here today. Pray for our country. Love one another.