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Yesterday we attended the party given for a cousin who had just turned one year old. The location was a lake club building, and it was decorated all over with pink table cloths, balloons, and even center pieces for the occasion. We arrived right on time at 1 PM, and were greeted by our hosts, my cousin and his wife, whose daughter was the celebrant. The baby greeted us in her parents' arms, all dressed up as was her older sister. The family of the parents was absent due to health problems, but their many friends and other small children were there in abundance. It was great! Everybody was running around. There was a tasty buffet lunch with dishes that guests of all ages would enjoy (except the birthday girl, whose father was feeding her baby food from a jar!) We introduced ourselves to other guests as they joined us at a table. Nearly everyone had a small child there to wish the birthday girl well. It reminded me of years gone by when our three were like that. Cameras were flashing everywhere except with us, since I had forgotten to bring one. I also forgot to bring some photos of my grandson who is twenty-two months old. He had a terrible illness strike him before he was one year old, so he is just now starting to walk.
Music was started, and the children with some parents began to dance along to "London Bridge" and "The Twist". It was fun to watch them. One little boy seemed to have taken a special liking to the birthday girl's sister. He walked quietly over to her, kissed her on the cheek, and said "I love you". Twenty years from now will we be celebrating a wedding? Except for me, the kiss went unnoticed. The talk at our table turned to pets and of course I had to bring up Patches and Skittles. People had heard of Shih Tzu's, but nobody else had one. Then we talked about their dogs and the unplanned mating of somebody's female. Oops! That created another "mixed breed", and I mentioned an article I had read about "Designer Dogs" that were bred specially for certain characteristics. The most popular partner was the poodle because it didn't shed. I mentioned my neighbor who had a "cock-a-poo" that she bought just for that reason. This led to ads that had been seen for something called "schnoodles" that were bred with poodles and schnauzers. Imagine going through life being called a schnoodle? I have also seen "labradoodles" and wondered how the logistics of different sizes figures into the equation. At that point the birthday cake was brought out and a somewhat scraggly chorus of "Happy Birthday dear Emily" was sung. Emily's mother helped her blow out the single candle. Pieces of the birthday cake were served to all. It was very good, actually, in my favorite chocolate flavor. The pile of presents on one table was left unopened to avoid confusion, I think. I had purchased a gift bag to hold the books that my cousin had suggested as a gift. These bags are ingenious. No more struggling to wrap odd shapes. I bought a few others to hold Easter presents for grandchildren next weekend. When the cake was finished, my husband tapped at his watch. This meant that we should be leaving because Skittles and Patches had been alone for over six hours. They are very good boys, but there are limits to the canine bladder. So with many goodbyes, we took off for our two hour drive back home. I was glad that we made the trip. So little of my family is close any more, and I miss seeing them. Little Emily will have no recollection of us I'm sure, but we will remember her dark wisp of hair and pretty dress and all the people who came to wish her well. And my cousins who invited us to the party. Isn't that what family is, anyhow? Just Mom |
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| Cartoon Courtesy of Coffee Cup Software |