January 2023

 Dear family and friends,   

    December is a very special month when our hearts are full of love for God and His Son, and for our family and friends. An extra amount of joy and happiness is also enjoyed in the many festivities and celebrations at this time of year. It just so happens that on the very first day of this wonderful month, I became 95 years old, which is quite a milestone to some people, but evidently not to my own family, because I had not heard a word about any plans for the day. On the day before my birthday, Nov. 30th, True ordered me to stay out of the kitchen while she made and decorated a cake for me, and Linda asked if I’d like to eat out at my favorite Mexican restaurant. So that was all I was expecting. But unbeknownst to me, my girls, True and Linda, and Dan’s wife Cathy had been making plans for a surprise birthday party, and they made sure I wouldn’t find out about it ahead of time.

    When we went to the Mexican restaurant on the evening of the first, we were led to a table already occupied by another couple and Linda, all with their menus up looking them over. I questioned “why are we going to sit with other people?” When the menus came down, it revealed the beaming faces of my son and his wife Cathy, who had flown in from Florida to be with me for my birthday. What a surprise that was! We then continued on with the celebration. The staff sang Happy Birthday to me, along with others in the room, and I blew out the candle on True’s beautiful cake while wearing a sombrero. True’s special cake had an intricate checkered pattern inside, how fascinating! Having Dan and Cathy come for my birthday was a great surprise, but I was unaware that there were even more surprises awaiting me later.

   Later that evening back at home, we were pleasantly surprised when three of True’s children came to the door. Cedar, Clint and their families left a foot of snow at their home in Spokane, and drove straight through to Grants Pass. Along the way they picked up their brother, Denver, from the Portland area in order to get here on their Grandma Ree’s birthday! I was overjoyed that they came, and I also met the newest members of Clint’s family – Aiden, his 10-year-old son, and Aubriella, his and his wife Lindsey’s, 9 month old daughter. It was a great time to renew my acquaintance with Lindsey, and meet Denver’s finance Amanda. Such lovely women they have chosen to be with. I enjoyed seeing Cedar and her daughter Ella and was happy they were going to be able to stay with us for a few days again. (True went to visit them during Christmas).  

    I was in store for another surprise when Dan and Cathy said they’d be taking me to the Medford Temple on Friday the 2nd. Because of my leg and the wheelchair, I hadn’t felt like I could attend, but they assured me that temple workers were used to helping patrons with disabilities. It had been quite a while since I’d been to the temple, and for me it had been a ‘drought of spirituality’ which needed to be rekindled by attending as often as possible. I got my bag and recommend, and off we went. It was my first real outing away from home and it lasted all day, as we went to other places as well. We started the day off by going to my regular weekly appointment with my hairdresser, then to the Veterans National Cemetery in Eagle Point, where Dan showed Cathy where 12 of our family members are laid to rest. With a snow-covered mountain in view and well-maintained surroundings, it is such a beautiful place, and she was very impressed. Then we went off to Central Point, where the temple is located. It did feel good to be back there again, after having served there as a temple worker myself for 6-8 years previous to all this business with my leg. I was surprised (that word keeps popping up) to experience the changes in the presentation of the endowment session, but never in the verbiage. While there, I was really unexpectedly surprised when I saw that Marilyn Milton was still a worker there. She and I had been temple workers together over 6 years ago, so I guess there’s no limit to that calling.

    After the temple session, we went back to Grants Pass and were able to participate in the annual Community Nativity Festival from 5:00-8:30 PM at the stake center. It was a fantastic sight, to see hundreds of nativity scenes displayed from all over the world, and made from all sorts of materials. It was literally mind-boggling to see. There were also various musical groups from the high school and a local ballet group performed the Nutcracker, along with many other performances on the stage, which made it a really entertaining evening for us. At home, we ended the night with a couple of rounds of tile rummy, what a day!

    Little did I know, however, that all these activities were part of my girl’s perfect scheme to keep me away from the house so they could complete their preparations for the biggest surprise of all, which was a really grand surprise birthday party for me the next day. They worked so hard without my knowledge to make it all come together without a hitch. I was amazed when I did show up for my party, all the work that had gone into making it happen, all the tedious time-consuming things that went on in preparation for this event, totally unimaginable!!

    I later found out that back in early November, Cathy had suggested having a surprise 95th birthday party, and had invitations made up with a Shh! printed on them, to inform guests they were to remain silent about it. They were sent to Linda so she could contact old and dear friends of mine, and she got all their addresses to mail them out. I understand they each contained a nice picture of me holding roses. What an expensive, but lovely thing to do!

    Linda had somehow managed to get the names of just every person I think I had ever had contact with over the years, because she sent out 93 invitations, and had them reply directly to her, to keep me from knowing anything about it. It was True, with her decorating skills who was responsible for decorating the clubhouse and the 8 long tables that were used, making double tiered serving trays for each table. She was also responsible for another beautiful birthday cake and food that was served in a lovely arrangement of tiny sandwiches and other small finger foods and elegant cookies made by her, Linda and Linda’s daughter Naomi. She put her heart and soul into making this ‘high tea’, as she called it, into a really splendid and memorable affair. It all was so beautifully decorated. Dan’s part in all this was to ‘take care of me’ and see to it I was kept occupied elsewhere while they did their preparations, which he succeeded in doing.

  

    Early Saturday morning, Dec. 3rd, I was told that the family had decided to eat breakfast together but wasn’t sure where yet, but Dan would come by around 10:30 and take me there. Dan did come, but not in a car as I had expected, but rather began pushing me in my wheelchair up the street to the Riviera park’s clubhouse, saying they had decided to cook breakfast themselves for all of us. I said, “yeah, that’s a better idea than going to a restaurant”. As we approached the clubhouse, I noticed a lot of cars, but didn’t pay much attention. But when Dan opened the door, and wheeled me in, and I saw a hundred people standing inside, and they started singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me, I was so surprised, I gasped! Putting my hands to my face, I cried tears of joy. I was completely overwhelmed, and couldn’t believe this was happening to me, and for me. It took me a while to absorb the magnitude and surprise of it all. I also marveled that all these people had known about the party for weeks, yet they succeeded in never letting on, so I was completely and absolutely in the dark the whole time. It was the surprise of all surprises, and one that I will remember and treasure forever.

    The gala affair was enhanced by Cathy inviting our guests in a guessing game about me and the year 1927, the year I was born. Most people signed the guest book, pictures were taken and gifts were received. My many thanks go out sincerely to everyone who came or helped out in any way to assure the success of my 95th  surprise birthday party. Now we’ll look forward to reaching and celebrating #100, that would be a really special occasion. My mother did, so with her good genes and help of the Lord, I can too! At least, that is my goal.

    With True visiting with her children in Spokane, Linda, Naomi & I met together here on Christmas Day after church, and Linda prepared a traditional dinner for us of ham, potatoes, cranberries, etc. and ended it with a red velvet cream cheese rolled cake. It was a delightful meal. I received chocolates and other goodies, so I know I am putting on the pounds and will need to work hard next year to get them back off.

    It has been an amazing month, and I wish all of you a bright and happy New Year.

 

Love,

Marie