The birthday saga
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:39 pm
As I ranted about here several weeks ago, I noted in passing my 50th birthday. The Saturday before, my wife had invited a couple of families over for some grilled chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs with appropriate side dishes. We ate, laughed, had some of the Guinness and I received age appropriate gifts (i.e., a cane with a rear-view mirror, a horn and an ear trumpet). Mrs. Rexer has wanted to stay in touch with these families, so when they agreed to meet in 3 weeks at the home of one of these families in Plano, I didn't think anything of it.
On my birthday, Mrs. Rexer and our girls had a small party where I received cards, gifts, cake and attention. As the night wrapped up, I was thinking "That'll take care of my birthday nonsense for a year."
Last Saturday, we got to the house in Plano where the party was to be held. I walked in, and saw the 50th birthday decorations again! I thought this was going to be a replay of the party from 3 weeks ago, because only the same 3 families were there. But after a few minutes, to the door came people from our church in Ft. Worth, families from our old neighborhood in Lewisville, co-workers of mine from 2 and 3 jobs ago, a high school classmate, and my sister and her family with 2 extra nieces and nephews and my mother. My younger brother even called to say surprise. I was totally stunned. We had a grand time catching up, telling embarrassing stories, laughing and loving. For some reason, the host family thinks a fiftieth birthday party is the best time to soak the recipient with water balloons. This being North Texas, it cooled me for a while, then the ever present humidity made certain my clothes didn't dry out. But who was I to complain about such a wonderful surprise.
To cut to the lesson learned: if planning a surprise party, give a small party for the honoree a week or 2 before the real party. And though I don't think anyone in attendance reads this bored, I still want to tell them "Thank You!" for making me feel special again.
On my birthday, Mrs. Rexer and our girls had a small party where I received cards, gifts, cake and attention. As the night wrapped up, I was thinking "That'll take care of my birthday nonsense for a year."
Last Saturday, we got to the house in Plano where the party was to be held. I walked in, and saw the 50th birthday decorations again! I thought this was going to be a replay of the party from 3 weeks ago, because only the same 3 families were there. But after a few minutes, to the door came people from our church in Ft. Worth, families from our old neighborhood in Lewisville, co-workers of mine from 2 and 3 jobs ago, a high school classmate, and my sister and her family with 2 extra nieces and nephews and my mother. My younger brother even called to say surprise. I was totally stunned. We had a grand time catching up, telling embarrassing stories, laughing and loving. For some reason, the host family thinks a fiftieth birthday party is the best time to soak the recipient with water balloons. This being North Texas, it cooled me for a while, then the ever present humidity made certain my clothes didn't dry out. But who was I to complain about such a wonderful surprise.
To cut to the lesson learned: if planning a surprise party, give a small party for the honoree a week or 2 before the real party. And though I don't think anyone in attendance reads this bored, I still want to tell them "Thank You!" for making me feel special again.
