last summer, amidst the planning and preparations for oscar's and gabi's at home backyard wedding set for saturday, august 21st, 2021 my children organized a birthday party dream come true on my birthday, thursday, august 19th. it was my 60th birthday....a big one! gabi had asked me weeks before how i wanted to celebrate this momentous day and it didn't take me long to realize that truly, all i wanted was to be with all of my family outside in our garden.
so off she went, creating and sending out the invitations to her siblings around the world. i was so grateful, so appreciative of each of their efforts to come a few days earlier than the wedding to be here with me and make my birthday wish come true. paul, nicole, brandon, margo, ben, kensey, sebastian, madison, gabrielle and oscar. the only family member missing was margo's husband andrew and we missed him and his dry, fun humor amongst the celebrations.
on the day, i was asked to just entertain myself until i was called. it was so awesome not to be in charge of a party and so i just relaxed and quietly enjoyed the morning in solitary confinement. at about 11:00am, i was called outside to a banner strewn, balloon decorated (enormous gold 6&0 balloons) picnic spread out of a magazine. i stepped right into the scene with hands cupped to my mouth and tears in my eyes. being guided to my adirondack chair thrown, a 60th birthday crown was placed on my head and a bouquet of flowers placed in my arms with claps and cheers from my precious husband and children.
let the party begin!! a 70's turntable complete with my own records from my tween and teenage years played in the background (including donny osmond singing brown eyes which, when i was 12, knew he sang just to me). we dined on chicken salad croissant sandwiches from a wicker picnic basket, fresh fruit & vegetables, chips and sun tea. i couldn't have put a picnic together more perfectly to my taste than they all did together. my children know me so, so well. ben was photographer and sweetly captured the intimate goings on of the celebrations.
all of a sudden, kensey placed a book-filled basket at my feet. my husband, and each of our children and children-in-law had contributed to this incredibly meaningful gift. at gabi's request, they were to choose their favorite childhood book to gift to me with a written heartfelt note inside sharing their memories of what this book meant to them. i cried again. my children know me so, so well. i couldn't have thought of a more meaningful gift. as i picked up each book, i was asked to guess who's book gift it was from. i failed miserably at this guessing game but the process and recognition of each book was incredibly memorable.
all of a sudden, another dream came true before my eyes. a towering doughnut birthday cake complete with candles was placed before me! my children know me so, so well. asked to make a wish and blow out my candles, i found myself unable to wish for anything more wonderful than that moment.
a warm summer's day, my husband and my children at home together in our garden. a special place that always has and continues to gift us with fun, meaningful and unforgettable family memories through these many years.
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