At RevGals Kathryn invites us to contemplate birthdays. Lucky for me that's a happy subject, so I'm glad to share a few memories with you.
1) What is the first birthday you remember?
I honestly couldn't tell you what my earliest birthday memory is, but I do have a distinct memory of a Matterhorn decoration in the middle of the dining table at one birthday party. Mom loved to decorate around a theme, and that year's theme might well have been based on the experience of Disneyland's Matterhorn ride.
A story that gets told on me that took place at an early age is that after I opened my gifts and surveyed the haul my evaluation was this, "I got more clothes than presents!" Perhaps this photo is from that occasion?
2) Do you recall a favorite gift?
There have been lots of great gifts over my many years: a bicycle, record player, various music choices, a special school trip endorsed and paid for... no one gift stands out more than any other.
3) Has anyone ever tried to surprise you for your birthday? Did it work? Was it fun?
Yes! I lived in St. Louis when I turned 40, and a friend gave me a party that I knew about. What I didn't know is that two friends flew in from New Hampshire, one came from Georgia, and two others drove from Kentucky. It can be difficult to surprise me because I tend to be very alert to details and changes in normal patterns of behavior. But on that occasion I was totally blown away. A few years ago my husband also arranged a surprise at a local restaurant, and that was lots of fun.
4) Do you have a favorite birthday dessert?
I was about to say that chocolate always rules, but at the above-mentioned 40th birthday the dessert I requested was an apple-walnut spice cake with caramel sauce. It is absolutely divine, and it is time to make it again!
5) Describe what would be your 'perfect birthday'.
1) What is the first birthday you remember?
I honestly couldn't tell you what my earliest birthday memory is, but I do have a distinct memory of a Matterhorn decoration in the middle of the dining table at one birthday party. Mom loved to decorate around a theme, and that year's theme might well have been based on the experience of Disneyland's Matterhorn ride.
2) Do you recall a favorite gift?
There have been lots of great gifts over my many years: a bicycle, record player, various music choices, a special school trip endorsed and paid for... no one gift stands out more than any other.
3) Has anyone ever tried to surprise you for your birthday? Did it work? Was it fun?
Yes! I lived in St. Louis when I turned 40, and a friend gave me a party that I knew about. What I didn't know is that two friends flew in from New Hampshire, one came from Georgia, and two others drove from Kentucky. It can be difficult to surprise me because I tend to be very alert to details and changes in normal patterns of behavior. But on that occasion I was totally blown away. A few years ago my husband also arranged a surprise at a local restaurant, and that was lots of fun.
4) Do you have a favorite birthday dessert?
I was about to say that chocolate always rules, but at the above-mentioned 40th birthday the dessert I requested was an apple-walnut spice cake with caramel sauce. It is absolutely divine, and it is time to make it again!
5) Describe what would be your 'perfect birthday'.
I don't know that I have a perfect birthday in mind, but I do know that I feel disappointed when the day comes and goes like any other. I want festivity, friends, good food, and the rest follows from there. I've spent great birthdays with a handful of beloveds, and great birthdays with a bigger crowd. One day out of the year it's nice to have a fuss made over me and soak up the love. However and wherever that happens works for me.
My 50th, with two of my beloveds!
7 comments:
That dessert sounds yummy, and yes, the idea of one day when it really is about you...perfect!
What a great "extra" surprise to have those life-friends come (and from long distances as well)
The perfect kind of surprise - extra friends. And thank you for your words of wisdom - a day for folks to make a fuss over you and soak in their love. I need to keep that in mind next time I get grumpy about my birthday.
lovely post! and so glad for you to have had that surprise birthday.. i totally agree on enjoying one day of fuss and celebration :)
and may you have MANY MORE !
but clothes are the very best presents... apple-walnut-spice with caramel sauce sound totally divine!!! thanks for playing; peace!
How fun, that your friends surprised you by travelling in for that party! Good birthday memories.
Look at that cute little Anne :)
The nice thing about working where I do is that we LOVE an excuse to eat cake, so I usually have a little celebration at work. Which is about as much celebration as I want - I get all embarrassed otherwise.
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