Good morning everyone!
It was my 80th birthday last Thursday. (Where did those years go??).
My daughters told me to make sure I was at home after lunch and for the rest of the day. I was told to have a very light lunch, and mid-afternoon the whole family arrived, including one of my grandsons who works abroad but had come back for a few days so he could celebrate with me. I was touched by that.
I was dispatched to sit on the balcony and not come indoors until called! No hardship as it overlooks the harbour. When I was called back in, the table was groaning under the most appetising traditional English tea I have seen in a long time! I hate dining out so had refused their offer of a meal in a lovely restaurant. Mad, I know, but I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. My favourite meal is a typical English tea. We also had champagne later!
The food was amazing, little dainty sandwiches in several flavours, scones with jam and cream, and cakes, of course! All absolutely delicious. (Being at home, I could chat to everyone, not just those who would have been sitting near me if we had gone to a restaurant). Then there were the gifts! Apart from two enormous bouquets, there were loads of other things too numerous to mention. But the best gift of all was having my family around me. (Perfection would have been if my lovely husband had lived to be here) They are nearly all shift-workers and had managed to get leave to be with me, not easy, as I know, having been in the same job as most of them myself.
An especially lovely thing was having my 4 month old great-grandson here. My lovely granddaughter (who calls me her ‘bestie’) plonked him in my lap and told me I was to have as many cuddles as I wanted! Bliss! He lay there in my arms, staring up at me, then suddenly a huge smile appeared! He had realised who I am!
What a birthday!
They really did me proud. I love the fact that, with the exception of the grandson I mentioned, they are all fairly local so I can see them quite often.
So, although I didn’t want to be 80, I don’t fancy the alternative (!) and I had an absolutely lovely day thanks to my wonderful family. I count my blessings indeed.
🙏 