Not Just Another Birthday

I celebrated a birthday this Memorial Day weekend and it was the best one yet.  At my age, I never thought I’d be saying that, but it really was. Plus, I had the whole weekend to party! Since my son and daughter-in-law live in Jacksonville, FL. I was hoping they would come down for the long weekend, but they couldn’t make it.  I understood.  They had their own life and commitments. My daughter wanted to make me a party, but I didn’t want her to go through the effort.  I told my husband to just take me to this wonderful seafood restaurant so I could get a 2 lb. lobster and I would be happy.

When I came home from work on Thursday, the day of my birthday, there were two dozen roses on the table from my husband and my daughter bought me carnations with a card stating she was taking me out to dinner on Saturday and to the Comedy Club. My son, Ethan, called to wish me a Happy Birthday and so did other friends and relatives.  He told me his present was coming shortly.

My birthday dinner was wonderful and on Friday I had a fabulous massage and took in a movie with my daughter and some of her friends.  It was a lovely afternoon.  I was looking forward to Saturday, as I love the Comedy Club.  We were to meet at my daughter’s house at 6pm.  Since I am an avid nature lover, I told my husband that we should go to the local wildlife sanctuary before meeting my daughter, since the birds, alligators and boardwalk were always a favorite pass time of mine.  By 5:30, it was time to leave, but my husband was so thrilled with the wildlife and his new camera-taking opportunity, that he couldn’t break away.

Needless to say, we arrived a little late, but it was just fine, because when I opened the door, I was hit with the greatest gift of my life.

I couldn’t register the SURPRISE chorus that echoed from her living room immediately, but when I did, I realized that I had friends and relatives (my son and daughter-in-law included) all gathered to celebrate my special birthday. 

I’m still recuperating from the whirlwind weekend, plus I’m writing this blog on my new iPad, the gift from my husband and kids.   It’s times like this that you realize the most valuable things in life are your precious family, dear friends and the caring, love you all share together.