Birthdays

I had my Birthday yesterday and I now am 94 years old! I can’t believe it but as I think back, it has been a long time. My children are convinced they are seniors too and I can’t believe that either. I guess, as I watched more and more grey hairs appear on their heads, I have to believe.

The first birthday I remember is one in which I was in the second grade. I had been to some of the girl’s birthday parties so I invited 5 little girls to my party. But I never told Mama! The girls came. They carried their wrapped  packages into the house and thanked Mama just as their mothers had told them. Mama tried not to show how angry she was, but she did manage to glare at me! She brought a blanket outdoors and spread it under a shade tree and put some games on top.

“I brought some games I thought you would like to play until I get your lunch ready,” she said cheerfully. I could tell she was not so happy with me though. I thought maybe I should have asked her first.

Somehow she came outdoors with a birthday cake, which I supposed was to be used by the family at dinner that evening, Cool Aid, crackers and some candies that I did not know we had. And we had a party! I can’t remember the gifts I received but I do remember the scolding I got after the girls left. I guess that was not so nice a birthday.

Another birthday I recall is the time my husband and the kids never mentioned my birthday at all! Even though I gave them plenty of glues. After school was out for the day, my husband said,” I have to go out in the country to get some stuff for school tomorrow. How about you guys riding along with me? It’s such a lovely day.” The kids quickly “yelled that they wanted to go, but I said I would stay home. (After all, they had forgotten my birthday.) The kids begged, so I went.

We had a wonderful time. He had asked a friend if she would pack a picnic supper and bake a birthday cake if he brought the groceries. when it was almost dark, we watched the stars come out, one by one.  I spoke quietly, “It was such a nice birthday.”

You might ask, “What about the other 92 birthdays?” I would answer, “They were such nice birthdays.”