84th birthday acknowledgments a pleasant surprise

Remember that scene with Homer and Marge seated on the sofa, talking about memories? Homer Simpson says, “I’ve wasted half my life, Marge. Do you know how many memories I have? Three. Standing in line for a movie, having a key made, and sitting here talking to you. Thirty-eight years and that’s all I have to show for it.” Marge says “You’re 39.” A long-time marriage is something to celebrate, and I wish Homer and Marge multiple years of marital bliss.

Many Okanagan seniors are celebrating long-time relationships and anniversaries this time of year.

A garden party is so romantic and the attendance of the maid of honour and the best man from the original wedding party were especially touching for those of us at a recent event I attended.

The fact they came from out of province to be part of the anniversary celebration attests to the importance of the occasion. I recall my dad at his 50th toasting my mom and declaring: “The first 49 were the hardest!”

In my case, I just turned 84 and had really thought this birthday would be a nonevent.

Eighty was big and hopefully, 85 will be really big, but what do you do with 84?

So I was delightfully surprised at the visits, calls, cards and gifts that came to me.

I love my new summer pajamas and the huge colourful planter for my garden.

Maybe the fact my expectations were low this year accentuates the fact high expectations in the past sometimes led to disappointments.

The best card was a colourful background with “At your age nobody gives a ...” on the front. Open the card and read “gift!”

Best of all was the flood of past birthday memories.

I pictured the Wonder Bread Birthday train that showed up when I was a kid and took me and my young friends for a ride around the neighbourhood.

I recalled all the party dresses like the Mary Had A Little Lamb with huge sleeves and tiny, colourful balloons all over the floors and all the furniture over the years.

I especially loved the parties on the beach with friends lighting sparklers in the sand. I even had the Chippendale lads entertaining in mid-life.

Can’t put my hands on the many photos strewn in my albums, but the memories are clearly imprinted on my heart.

As seniors know, birthday parties for children today are a huge industry. Gone are the days of picnics in the park or a game of croquet in the back yard, followed by a lunch of hotdogs and a simple homemade cake.

Back then, garlands were fashioned from flowers from a nearby field.

One friend I know attended her grandchild’s party and asked if there was something she could do. She was promptly sent to pick up the birthday cake which she later reported turned out to cost hundreds of dollars and was bigger than her wedding cake.

Of course, she was delighted to contribute.

And so it goes, another year has passed. I am reminded of that lovely Beatles song, When I’m Sixty-Four. “When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now, will you still be sending me a Valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?”

It seems there are no non-events in life, only bigger and better celebrations as the years go by.

I recently received a compliment regarding the hat I was wearing or the summery look of my dress.

I had to laugh as I recalled the three hours it had taken me to get out the door that day. I now have yet another grooming essential, my Max Trim nose and ear trimmer from Conair. I didn’t know I needed another battery operated accessory but what a gift. Literally. Actually fun to use and an end to those single, long, grey hairs that descend from my nose and always get my attention when I am trying to apply my mascara. My Max Trim actually looks cute on the bathroom counter next to my electric toothbrush. Eventually, I hope to colour co-ordinate all my personal grooming aids.

If there is a senior out there who has need of a nudge to keep moving and stay connected, remember there is no doubt a special occasion coming up for you this year that you will be glad you didn’t miss it.

After nearly a month, the birthday banner is still up and the cards are still on the mantle. A pot scrubber is also on the mantle along with the Oreo cookies a dear old friend knows I love. It’s the thought that counts, right?

So it goes: life, I mean, and it looks like I am good for one more year. Another year to practice living in the present moment and planting seeds for creating new experiences. Another year to think about what I’d like to accomplish. And days that begin and end with gratitude.

Jeanette Dunagan has lived in Kelowna for more than 40 years. Email her at jd2399@telus.net.