Last week we celebrated Ken’s ninetieth birthday. On Sunday evening, our family gathered at The Butterfly near Beloit, Wisconsin, for supper followed by Watergate Cake, candles and singing “Happy Birthday” at our house.
Saturday, his actual birthday, the two of us planned to go to Big O’s on the Hollow near Freeport, Illinois. Instead, an ambulance took Ken to the Emergency Room in Monroe, Wisconsin. He then was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. A hiatal hernia was causing problems. Yesterday, he came home.
I’ve been thinking about the surprise parties we had for his fiftieth and seventieth birthdays. I think my husband is the only person who asked for a surprise party and then was shocked when one materialized. After we had attended a surprise party for his longtime friend, Wayne, who turned fifty October 19th, I asked my husband how he wanted to acknowledge his half-a-century birthday, which was coming up November 8th. He mumbled, “I’d really like a surprise party like Wayne’s.” I assured him it was too late to plan a party. After he left for work, I started phoning our closest friends and was assured they were free to join us. As a ruse, his brother, Tom, called to invite the two of us to go to supper in New Glarus, Wisconsin, on the designated date.
The night of Ken’s birthday, Tom and his wife, Jan, arrived at our house a little early so we could enjoy a celebratory drink before the sitter for our daughter, Linda, arrived. When there was a knock on the door, the birthday boy went to let in the caretaker but instead was greeted by his friends yelling, “Surprise.”
Twenty years later, the ruse was our grandson, Jacob, had a Cub Scout event at the Legion Hall. When we walked into the building, a large group of friends and relatives echoed, “Surprise.”
So many of those people are gone but it’s fun to reminisce. The good times live on in our photos and memories. I’m thankful for our family to continue enjoying a party.
How do you celebrate your birthday?