Loved Ones
Today is March Thirty One. The end of one of those months that has one more day than the some of the others. It’s one day out of the three hundred and sixty-five in the year. It’s one day out of the thirty-two thousand eight hundred and seventy-two days in my Granny’s life (so far). And it’s one birthday out of the ninety she has had.
That’s right. Today marked granny’s ninetieth birthday. Ninety is a big one, so I wanted it to be one she would remember. This one needed to be more than just the usual slice of pound cake.
That’s pretty much why you haven’t heard from me for a few days. I know a lot of you figured I’ve been busy spelunking in a certain long-legged attorney, but actually, because the weather has been so great (except for a couple of days), I have been working extra hours. And I have been busy trying to pull something together for the big day.
A few weeks ago, ChadFox (who knows I like to cook) suggested I invite some of Granny’s girlfriends over for a little birthday tea party in the back yard. I pondered on it a few days and decided I liked the basic idea, but I don’t really know anything about having a tea. I figured I could probably pull off a brunch kind of thing. I’m not really fancy in that way, either. But I can cook up some eggs.
I got in touch with with four of Granny’s friends who were all thrilled to be invited over and broke open the cookbooks to find a good quiche recipe. I figured some quiche, some melons, and a little bean salad and the old girls would be good to go. I still felt like I needed to make it a little more of an event…not just a brunch…but one that was special.
I couldn’t hire a stripper without knowing who has a heart condition. I couldn’t set out the Twister board. All those old bones entwined could get locked and I might not ever get them apart. It would be like a blue-haired Chinese puzzle.
Luckily I had my friend Steve to help me take it to another level. At first he suggested I get Granny and each of her guests little corsages to wear, but then ramped it with a better idea of having a little potted begonia for each of them to take home with them. He also suggested for dessert to have a jumbo cup cake for each one, all decorated up. I liked that idea because it avoided the whole “not such a big piece,” “give her that one, I just need a little taste” production you go through with old ladies when you cut a cake.
As much as I liked the idea, it had it’s drawbacks in a couple of ways: 1) I don’t know how to decorate cupcakes. I know how to dip a cupcake into frosting and flick your wrist so you get a nice swirl on top. But making little flowers and stars and bows and stuff…well…if I tried that, it would look like Walt Disney threw up on it and 2) I wanted to keep the pound cake tradition, but you don’t dress up pound cake and, plus, pound cake just doesn’t seem right in cup cake form.
But I lucked out. I had gone to to store to get a set of those little individual casserole dishes for the quiche…again, to avoid the “that’s too big” factor (not that I have anything against that phrase. I’d just rather hear it from someone other than an old lady). And while I was there I ran across some little mini tube pans. The perfect thing for jumbo cupcake-sized pound cake that’s still shaped like pound cake. (Sort of like a pound cake in Wonka-vision.)
Things went pretty well this morning. One of the guests didn’t make it because she was sick, but the other three did and joined Granny on the screen porch for a birthday toast of mimosas and a basket of mini-muffins. They chatted and giggled and got a little bit hammered (luckily, even though they are all younger than Granny, they are too old to drive). Meanwhile, I finished up in the kitchen and set the dining room table. I didn’t get the begonias, but each lady did have an African violet (Granny likes purple) in a little three inch pot waiting for them with a place card.
They came in, had their quiche, had their bean salad, had their individual pound cakes, a few more mimosas and a grand old time. After eating, they even decided that since there were only four of them instead of five, they would play Spades.
I made them some coffee (which I have to admit I’m not very good at) during the card game and when I brought it out they thanked me for the little party and made a fuss over what a nice time they had. I was standing next to Granny’s chair and she reached up, grabbed onto my sleeve and pulled my hand into her chest. and said, “That’s why he’s my number one grandson.” (Something she says to me now and then). When one of the ladies said to me that she didn’t realize I was the oldest, Granny said, “He’s not the oldest, but he’s number one.”
Well, Granny, you may think I’m number one, but I think you’re THE one. Happy Birthday. Hope it will be a memorable one.
P.S. Thanks Chad and Steve. You were a big part of the success. I wasn’t the only one.
April 1st, 2007 at 4:53 am
Happy Birthday Granny! It was a great day here in Pittsburgh too. I came out here from Annapolis for the wedding of a lovely woman that has been working with me for the past twelve years. Being the cautious type it took her ten yars to decide that the friend she knew for a decade was the one for her and vice versa. I am in a wheelchair for long distances but I promised I would dance at her wedding shortly after I met her. I kept my promise; the first time I’ve attempted anything like that in the six years since Ihad my ‘respiratory crisis’. I’m tired and can’t sleep but it was worth every efort. Just waiting for the wedding breakfast her mother is hosting this morning.
I did not think about the Hoyas once.
April 1st, 2007 at 4:56 am
P.S. Sorry for the typos . . . too much dancing.
April 1st, 2007 at 7:13 am
That was SO sweet of you! It must have torn you up when she told you you were her number one grandson, even if she has said it before. This time she said it in front of people. It tore me up to hear it. Happy Birthday Granny!
April 1st, 2007 at 8:10 am
90. Wow! Imagine all that she has seen in her lifetime. Your party sounded lovely. She must be one special lady to have raised up such a thoughtful, kind, and loving man. I think she’s right, you are number one.
April 1st, 2007 at 8:53 am
You are the sweetest guy ever
April 1st, 2007 at 9:21 am
Best. Grandson. Ever.
…and you’d never hear me saying ‘no, it’s too big’. about cake, of course!
April 1st, 2007 at 9:35 am
Oh that is just too sweet:) you’re a good man Tony
April 1st, 2007 at 9:46 am
This post is very sweet. and best wishes to the best granny-grandson pair.
April 1st, 2007 at 10:44 am
You’re definitely one of a kind. It’s seldom you hear about such kindness these days. It made me a little teary eyed just reading it. You’re the best!
April 1st, 2007 at 12:02 pm
That’s a really nice story. And you have nice buddies too. It sounded like a swell party. Mimosas are friggin’ awesome. I’ve only had one, once, but it was good. Oh, and pound cake…..I’m not a cake lover or a cup cake lover, but put some frozen sweetened strawberries with all that red juice over a piece of poundcake, and you got a little piece of heaven on a plate.
It’s been four hours since my pizza English muffin breakfast….I think it’s time for some sardines and triscuts. ….after I get my laundry out of the dryer, of course. Sundays……
April 1st, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Awesome party idea! OMG! Great! Truly terrific! Happy birthday Granny! The individual quiches and individual pound cakes sound really delicious (and the flowers with name cards….fabulous!). Can you plan my brunch in June?
Sweet grandson.
April 1st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
One very special man, I like reading things that make me feel.. Yes I was a little teary also.
We live with my hubbies Ma yes she is getting forgetful (Hoping she does not burn the house down today) but when she is really with us…. I know how much your Granny appreciates what you do for her.
April 1st, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Dammit if you’re not the sweetest thing in britches! You made me all tear up over here… well actually Granny did with the whole line about “He’s not the oldest, but he’s number one”… but doing all that stuff for her to make it a super special day, you, to quote the vernacular, ROCK! That long legged attorney is one lucky SOB!
April 1st, 2007 at 7:40 pm
God, I love you. That was very sweet of you and is what makes you so special. The large cok is wonderful, but it’s your thoughtfulness that is so splendid. Granny and the attorney are very lucky.
April 1st, 2007 at 10:06 pm
That was so sweet. You have a large heart too.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:53 am
As usual Tony, you’ve treated your special lady right! Without trying, you make the rest of us look bad. Some day someone will treat you with the same love and respect.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:04 am
I just want to echo the sentiments of everyone else…what a wonderfully touching expression of love to your grandmother. If only we all were so caring of others on a regular basis. It’s goal that I ry to strive for, but generally fall short of….
Thanks Tony, for sharing the special day wiht us….I’ll bet granny is still beaming!
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I love this so damn much.. how it happened, how you told it.. the fun they had.. Because you are so fucking modest, I doubt you realize how special it was to not only your grandmother, but also to the other ladies there.. I am old enough to realize now that a good life is about the people you surround yourself with and the time shared.. I know how much the people in my life mean to me and I can only imagine how I will feel if I am lucky enough to reach Granny’s age.. you just created a little ripple that will resonate for weeks and months to come..
April 6th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
And you wonder why you make my heart flutter.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:56 am
that is so sweet. and i 2nd chad. and am upset i wasnt the first to say that.