When I was a teenager, it seems like hardly a week went by without the dining room chandelier being festooned with balloons and streamers. If my mom know it was your birthday, it was pretty much assured that she would throw an impromptu party for you. Nothing fancy but festive and cheerful. She’d hang some streamers, make a cake that just might be purple cake with neon blue icing, and often make dinner too. My friends, my sisters friends, my brothers friends, and anyone who happened to be around the house was invited to join in. One year she even made a cake for one of the painters who was re-painting the outside of the house. It’s not that she was Suzie Homemaker. It was her way of saying you are noticed, special, appreciated. She taught all of us kids that we could whip up a little party in no time, just to make someones day a little brighter.
So, I’m happy to say that I have begun following in my mothers footsteps. On a recent evening, about 30 minutes before our friends were set to arrive, I was busy pulling out a bright piece of fabric for the table, grabbing some vintage flea market plates, and got started decorating the dining room chandelier. I even got Nate started on making a tissue paper pom-pom, which he was convinced we didn’t have time for. But we did. Especially since the birthday girl is virtually guaranteed to be running about 15 minutes late.
A few of our friends/guests arrived. They brought the cake and some icing so we could all add our own personal touch to the cake design. And they helped us make and hang some more party decoration just minutes before the birthday girl arrived. Right on time, 15 minutes late. So Caitlin, I just want you to know that you are special and that we are so glad to have you as part our lives.
