Surprise 90th Birthday Party For Roy

The ponds are overflowing, and after another threeinch rain fell, one farmer said, “This time last year we were waiting for rain so the grass would grow; this year we’re waiting for the rain to let up so the grass can be mowed.”

But he wasn’ t complaining.

More Arkansas weather Monday brought wind, rain and hail; no real damage here.

The weather was perfect Saturday when instead of going to Keith and Karen’s for their graduating son’s family celebration ( as I had been led to believe), we ended up at Sugar Hill Church where a house full of family and friends gathered for a big surprise 90th birthday party for yours truly.

There was a big cake decorated with lavender swirls and flowers, a purple back drop to the serving table and other decorations, many photo shoots, visiting and fellowship, as well as dozens of red and white roses, carnations and peonies. It was fabulous!

That evening as I was enjoying the many cards with their accolades and best wishes, I found some I want to share — one from a cousin in California said they couldn’t find a “90” card, but found a 1923 card, which had events of that year printed. Two of those events were: “The U.S. Attorney General declares it is legal for women to wear trousers anywhere” and “A retail war drops gasoline prices as low as six-cents per gallon.” (and supposedly, I was the “main event.”)

How times have changed and time continues to march on.

We’ve just received pictures of the party, and I didn’t realize that day — on one corner of the cake was “Mom,” on one “Grandma,” another “Ma” and the other “Marie.” My children call me Mom, Anna’s family call me Grandma and Edwin’s family call me Ma or Ma Marie.

Now, happy birthday to Rylee Pitts, Larry Hacker, Evelyn Thompson, Eual Hunton, Pauline Batson, Audra Hacker, Rodney Abshier, Dean Cheatham.

Happy anniversary to Sam and Maxine King.

Just think — Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be, so enjoy this day while it lasts.

COURTESY PHOTO Marie Roy’s birthday cake after family and friends surprised her with a 90th birthday party on May 18 at Sugar Hill Church.