January 29, 2008
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That's right, today is Mom's....aka: joanggol's....birthday, and Elaine, Jeanne, and I arranged a surprise luncheon for her and her friends (our sis-in-law, Mary, was out of town on a cruise until last weekend, and had a scheduling conflict so couldn't be with us, darn it). A few weeks the invitation went out:
Let's gather together for a matter most weighty:
It's hard to believe, but Mom's turning eighty!
Please keep this silent.
Please keep this mum.
Mom knows naught of it.
We need to play dumb!
At a quarter to twelve
She'll be escorted in,
To find us all waiting
Let the party begin!
Your gift is your presence.
She needs nothing more.
Though cards would be welcome
Those we know she'd adore.
We hope you can join us
For this festive event,
To honor our mother
(Well, that's our intent!).
The big day finally arrived and the stage was set:
The cast assembled itself:
The plan was for the guests to arrive around 11:30, with Elaine picking Mom up at home at 11:45 and bringing her to the club to have a birthday lunch with her daughters. I hovered at the window, finally calling "Okay, they just pulled up!"
No one paid much attention due to the chatter, so I repeated it a couple of times. "Oh...she's HERE?" Right.
Now, Vincent - one of the fabulous staff members up there - had suggested we shut the two doors that most people enter by, instead having guests come in by the set over to the right. The plan was to have the closed doors flung open as Mom approached, so we could yell "Surprise!" and me take photos.
That was our plan. Mom's plan was to let curiosity get the best of her - after all, those doors are almost never shut! - and dart over to the open doors on the right to see what was in there, with Elaine trying to come up with a good reason why she shouldn't, and unable to think of anything before Mom entered the room.
My goodness, we were all surprised! Mom to see her friends assembled, and her friends to see her suddenly come in the wrong door, as we'd all been facing the others. It was really quite funny.
Above is Mom realizing what's going on, with Elaine and Jeanne. Here she is next to the birthday cake:
And here's Mom with her friends, gathered to honor her on her 80th birthday:
Personally, I think those women deserve a round of applause for having sat on the surprise for three solid weeks, in spite of seeing Mom at bridge, etc. in the interim.
Happy birthday, Mom! We love you!
Comments (8)
Happy birthday, Mrs G!! 80 years old - you young whippersnapper, you!
You have such a lovely family, I know you must be a lovely person yourself, to be matriarch of such a brood!
God's richest blessings on you this fine day!
me<>< (aka Cindy)
Happy birthday, Jane! (May I call you Jane? Sure I can. We're of the same era.) You look wonderful. And congratulations on throwing a monkey wrench into things by going in the wrong door. I live to throw monkey wrenches.
Except her name's actually Joan, sure.
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Gambill! Looks like you had a wonderful time; what a feeling that must be, to see one's friends all assembled in one's honor, when one wasn't expecting it. You look a very chipper octogenarian indeed; my compliments! And my compliments also for having raised Anne, a dear, wonderful and entertaining internet friend, with a very large and giving heart. Thank you for putting her on earth!
many happy returns of the day,
Gilda
WOW, Happy Birthday! What a celebration! May God give you many more!
This has indeed been a special day, and to think that I have been a bit griped at turning 80, the other decades were OK but 80. Well now I'm actually old!! Not upper middleaged, or senior, but old!! Yipes. Oh well, I'm lucky with my family, friends and faith and can rejoice!!! Absolutely no complaints and Anne and Jeanne and Elaine put on a fun party that all seemed to enjoy!! And then tonight my hubby gave a family party with mass quanitities of balloons and posters!! Fun!! I'm ready to get on the bed, eat chocolate and relax!! Yea! and Thanks for the good wishes. Joan
Okay then, I'll call her Joan. And Joan, "old" is always ten years older than we are at the time. Eighty is not old but 90 is. Unless you're 90.
Grandmama, you're so pretty! I wish the girls and I could've been there for your party to give you hugs and kisses. Soon, though. Happy belated birthday!
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