I'm another year older as of yesterday. I don't mind. This year's birthday celebration, my youngest child planned. She was slick. My baby used my cell phone, my address book, and my e-mail to gather phone numbers of friends and family. She made a list of foods to be served at my surprise party and double checked with the invited guests to make sure there was enough punch, cake, veggie dip, chex mix, and pizza. My so-called baby also instructed what time needed to show up at the house. All this at ten years old. I just kept wondering how she could do this.
My girl predicted the party would be good. She finally confirmed her plan once a few friends called me to see if I knew what she was doing. I kind of suspected when I couldn't find my cell phone. After all, we do have another phone in the house. Then she asked me for someone's phone number who lived in Chicago. That's all I needed.
I told her she didn't have to throw a party. She insisted it was something she could do; and she wanted to do it. My little one declared she wasn't soo little. And she was right.
Last night, I came home to a house full of friends, food, and was not allowed to touch anything or help. "You are the birthday girl," she said. "Go sit down because you are in the way." In the way? In my own house? I don't think so. So I greeted friends and moved out the way. I was assigned a seat in the living room.
After a few hours of laughter, conversation and songs, I realized that as I was getting older, my daughters were as well. My mortality was now marked by each passing birthday: theirs and mine. WOW!! A chilling thought for me.
After people left, my kids cleaned up the house. Food was put away, gifts were carried upstairs and to my surprise: no spills or stains on my rug. My baby wrapped her arms around my hips and asked "Mom, did you enjoy your party." Before I gave her the answer, I looked into her brown sparkling eyes, then gave her a forehead kiss. My reply: "Yes. I did."
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Thursday, January 27th 2011 at 3:18PM
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