So many of you have asked how Mother enjoyed her 90th Birthday celebration that I decided I would go ahead and write about it, even though I don't have the pictures to post. My siblings and I met at Mother's on Sunday, Sept. 12 to decide where and when and how we would celebrate Mom's Birthday. With Mom's help we decided to meet for dinner at her favorite restuarant, The Jade Garden, on the evening of her birthday, Sept. 14. Mike and Karen agreed that they could manage that amid all the wedding plans for their granddaughter, Hailey. We then excused Mother to the kitchen to visit with Ron Hawley, Steven and Angel Mendoza, and Leonard. They played a game of Hand and Foot--which mother won, of course, while we continued with our plans for her big day.
My older sister, Noreen, on the previous Tuesday had found a great bargain at Fred Meyer's. They had all their diamond jewlrey on sale for 70% off and if she bought something that day it was an additional 20% off for Seniors! She purchased a "Journey" necklace with 6 diamonds totalling over 1 karot, with the stipulation that she could return it if we did not agree on the gift. At that price we all agreed to pitch in and be done with the shopping! It is a beautiful piece. Noreen also suggested that we write something fitting to give with it to explain the gift and make it really special. She was assigned the job, but tried to get out of it.
The next afternoon, I felt prompted to sit down at the computer and see what I could come up with. After an hour, I called Noreen and asked her what she had written. She said she had been up most of the night, but hadn't gotten much down on paper. I read to her what I had composed and she was thrilled to tears, saying it was perfect. Below is the poem we gave with our gift:
For nearly fifty years we have worked, played, raised crops, gardens, and flowers, but most importantly kids on this little spot--our Eden! Retired from work and home from a Church Mission to South Africa, we are now enjoying a new phase of life.
