Have you guessed that I love to celebrate pretty much anything? I do. Life is supposed to be a celebration, especially in the worst of times. I know way too many people that say they don’t want to celebrate their birthdays because they are getting old and it’s silly. Birthday celebrations are for kids. Well, I was never really a kid, so I’m making up for lost time. I’ve posted many of my birthday celebrations since not having a birthday isn’t on my “to do” list right now.
Celebrating by stuffing the face with lunch
I have this tendency to go around and ask people I see and talk to regularly about when they have a birthday. I write it down. I collect them. Here at my independent living complex, birthdays are no longer a given and many people here have no family available. To many, that day is just another day. Not if I can help it. Many people here stay to themselves and have no desire to interact but there are a few that are just too nice to ignore. Everett is now 87 and is a happy person who enjoys cheerful company. So, I mentioned to the kitchen how much he loved the chocolate cake they had baked for the director’s birthday and asked if they would make it for his.
Everett and his cake
Then I mentioned to several of the ladies around who he converses with regularly (when he’s not watching NASCAR) if they would like to help him celebrate on his special day. I was the last one to get to the dining room when the kitchen said they had no candles. I didn’t either but I had something that might do, though it was a bit irreverent. I brought down the candles and we had a sort of birthday party. Everette had a good laugh at the candles trying not to offend anyone’s sensibilities. I’m going down the list and trying to find out who is next and what can we do for them to make the day special.
Looks like a party to me.
Birthdays aren’t the only thing that makes a party. Our stitching group, Knit Wits, collects a dollar each week from those that show up. I haven’t been here very long but there was a good amount in the bucket so we decided that we had more than enough for several pizzas. We had enough to go have a real lunch.
Thoughtful bunch with food.
Unfortunately, one or two of our members have a hard time getting out and about so I suggested ordering lunch in from a guaranteed good restaurant. I would order early in the morning from the list we made and my sweet son would pick it up and deliver it halfway through our group time. Of course, he was happy to do that. I took an order for him and his wife too. That would be my personal treat for their kindness.
The oldest will soon be 94. That will be a celebration.
The group plus a daughter that delivers mom.
We are a very noisy group and had an extra good time that day. Our delivery man was smothered in gratitude by all of us hungry women then went to have his lunch at home. There is still enough cash for a pizza lunch later.
Do you celebrate anything or do you shy away?
From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself
insearchofitall 
Comments on: "A Party Atmosphere" (48)
This does not surprise me that you would be so gracious about celebrating birthdays for your group! Birthdays have always been a big deal in our family although we have a few who say no way I don’t want to celebrate. I used to push them but now I don’t so much but I always encourage something to happen. I think we all like to be remembered and it’s great that you have done this. I’m sure it must be especially difficult for people who don’t have anyone. I am planning a birthday brunch for my sister who is turning 70 next month and really looking forward to it! It will be family and possibly a few of her friends. I don’t think birthdays ever go out of style!
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You are a girl after my own heart, Jan. There are many here who don’t even want to be friendly and I respect that. This gentleman talks to everyone that is open as well. He enjoyed his day. I’ll celebrate as long as I have them too. The kids are in CA doing just that. Celebrating her aunt that is now 70.
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Oh, Marlene, what kind and generous things you’re doing for your new community! It’s obvious you’re making people very happy. Let kindness reign!!
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He has plenty of friends here but no family. Community at our age is so very important. Such a lovely man deserves to be celebrated. Thanks for stopping by, Liz. Have a great weekend.
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You’re welcome, Marlene. I hope you’re having a good weekend. 🙂
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i am just like you, i love, love to celebrate everything! and i do it with my pre-k class too!
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I can be like a kindergartner to inspire playfulness in us old folks. I’m done with stodginess. I’m glad you like to celebrate too, Beth. We need more parties. Out with the stodgy. 🙂
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Right! I celebrate with fam and friends as well as at school. Want the kids to enjoy celebrating too
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This makes my heart so glad Marlene to see how you are settling in, getting to know your community, making wonderful friends and caring for others by celebrating in so many different ways. What a joy to have found a group of great friends. Is Everett the only man in your complex, or just the only one who likes to hang around the ladies 😉
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Everett is always surrounded by the ladies because he’s nice and holds a good conversation. There are plenty of fellas that live here. Some want no part of anyone, some are looking for a girlfriend to take care of them but Everett just likes company and good conversation. He’s a happy guy and that brings many friends. I see him at lunch on occasion and at Saturday morning coffee where maybe 3 or 4 fellas show up. He’d still rather talk to the ladies. But another wife is #53 on his bucket list. 🙂 He has a sign by his door. Great sense of humor!
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Ha, that cake cracks me up! 😀 It sure looks like a great time for all of you! 😁
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Glad you see the humor in those candles too, Tom. Any opportunity for a laugh and I’ll take it. The other old guys are just too stodgy to have that much fun. Thanks for stopping by.
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What a funny set of candles! A good laugh is always welcome. I feel sure there are many folks that are thankful you have joined their little community. Love the communal feel of your new home! It can only be good for all of you.
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We found those candles at an off beat gift store in Portland and I bought extras ‘just in case’. I was so glad to have them. This is a Bible belt so I wasn’t sure how they would go over but they made Everett laugh and that’s all that was important that day. I wouldn’t have done it for one of the ladies. Sometimes you just need to laugh a little. Not everyone wants to be part of a community so I’m always mindful. I’m just an open book and I care about people. Can’t help myself. 🙂
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Everyone in that group is so blessed to have someone like you as a member, Marlene. I hope they realise how fortunate they are!
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There is a leader amongst the forgotten, who fosters community. Why I am not surprised? You are remarkable Marlene.
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No big deal, Cindy. There was a nice person that needed to be celebrated. Without family it would be just another day for him. I couldn’t let that happen. Thanks for stopping by.
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Well, yesterday was a tea party at work and it lacked almost everything. Why? Because we were so short staffed. I didn’t have time to take part. Not that I saw anything edible for one who doesn’t eat other sentient being parts. {{{sigh}}}
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Work parties can be very tricky. Our stitcher’s lunch allowed each person to order their own food. We are a diverse group on this planet so finding ways to be inclusive is imperative.
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I love how you bring people together and bring laughter and joy … in your own inimitable way Marlene 🥰🎈💐Thank you for bringing a smile here too. x
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Thank you, Val. I have always tried to connect people and show them how important having a little fun is to the soul. Thanks for stopping by.
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When I reached 50y wife organised a surprise birthday. Some said, perhaps in jest that it would probably my last party as birthdays were for children. I fundamentally disagreed but rather than justify my inner child his cake and jelly, I adopted a simple formula: you take each digit in your actual age and add them together and that is your birthday Age. Tada!! This year in November I’ll be 12. It sounds like you’re onto a winner Marlene. Keep it up
PS love Knit Wits…
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I threw a surprise party for my last husband’s 50th. It was grand and he was surprised. I’ve always had to do my own birthdays other than spending the day with my daughter in our favorite bookstore and having a slice Bocconi Dolce as my cake. I celebrate getting another year older and am proud of each number I reach. Longevity doesn’t run in my family. Please play like you are 12. That’s the most important part.
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We bought a DNA test each last month, mostly because my wife, coming from the far east of England as has her family for generations, wants to find out if she has Viking genes (to explain her glacial blue eyes). I expect mine with come back 50% muddy English and 50% Labrador…
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What a bright light you are to your community, Marlene. This post made my week! I hope you’ll share more of your new family. I’m so happy for you. xo
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Thanks so much, Jill. Doing my best here.
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I love this. I am the same way and so is my family. We love to celebrate every occasion. Life is a celebration. I just finished baking a Birthday cake for my sister in law. We are having a big celebration tomorrow for about 40 people. I can’t wait!!!!
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I’m the one in my family that gets excited about everyone’s birthday. Life IS a celebration and I’m all for doing more of it. Any excuse will do. Enjoy you party. I’ll be thinking of you..Thanks for the visit.
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I like to get small treats when I’m out, usually a couple of chocolate bars that I eat there and then…or like yesterday when I had to take my mask off in the bus as I realised I was in the middle of eating one, when I’d gotten on the bus and was settled to motor to the next stop on my agenda.
On my online shopping days I always get a thin crust pizza for dinner – it serves 4 but I always invite my “invisible others along to share” But I also always get a cream filled chocolate eclair, but this time they didn’t come – out of stock!
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They’re so lucky to have you living in their midst, Marlene! Such a positive force:)
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Oh, I wish I had you around here. I dearly love a birthday, but my family is all very remote, and the Husband’s family aren’t at all interested in celebrating or socialising. It’s a bit sad sometimes…
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You are a breathe of fresh air for your new friends. Hurrah for celebrating.
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Looks like your happy, infectious personality is infiltrating your new residence 😀 How funtabulous Marlene-a-go-go! Looks like everyone is enjoying each others company.
We had little neighbourhood birthday parties as kids, mostly at other friends houses. My BFF since grade 1, Debbie, lived across the lane and her mom was the best BD Party maker. It often included a sleep-over which I wasn’t allowed to stay for (??) until my teens (have I mentioned my mother was a real pill?)
Anywho, I’m not big on celebrating BD’s except between Jim and I. I’ve never enjoyed being the centre of attention at those events and would rather fly under the rainbow. 💗🌸
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Marlene, I love how you are adapting to the new surroundings and infusing them with your own, inimitable spirit. They are so lucky to have you there!!
As to celebrations, we had nine kids in our family, which meant a birthday every month except for April and June. And two in February. So we had enough for a small party on our own. Usually just a cake, ice cream and a card, with a gift from the family. It was plenty in those days before tv. And Christmas was a big thing, with a gift from our parents and another from Santa. And stockings, of course. Mum organized a birthday party for me the year I turned 10, but it was a mixed success, as it was hard for her to keep things organized with my then-six siblings to deal with as well.
I love celebrations, myself, another reason I look forward to a place of my own, where I can do seasonal decorations, with extra red-and-white things at Christmas (my Norwegian heritage).
I believe that your sense of fun and everyday joy is infectious and it’s the sort of ‘plague’ that needs spreading far and wide, if I may be excused for using the comparison . . .
I was so happy to see your photos and hear the stories.
Thanks for making my day.
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Thanks for stopping by, Linne. I’ve been thinking about you a great deal. Wondering when you are going to decide to manifest that dream of your own place. I have no garden space here but I can put pots of plants that don’t need much sun on my little patio. It’s a bit dark and much I can’t change with the overall look of the place, but when all is said and done, it’s perfect for me. It leaves me lots of creative time. I made the list of what I wanted and let it go. Oddly, this fit the bill. I’ll send a note later today. It’s Knit Wits day. 😉
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This is wonderful, Marlene! My favorite part is that you actually name your group, the Knit Wits. That speaks to your great attitude and outlook on life and people. You Go Girl!
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Marlene, your posts make me smile! You have an amazing way of finding and bringing joy wherever you are. Keep celebrating, my friend! 🥳
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Thank you, Missy. I celebrate wherever and whenever I can. Life should be celebrated. Hope you are doing well.
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We are. We’ve sold our home and it’s set to close September 6th. Travel trailer here we come!
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Congrats, Missy. Keep in touch. Maybe you will blog from the road.
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Marlene! They must LOVE that you moved there! You are the lady in charge of it all. Look at the lovely birthday you made for Everett! And your son is so nice, too.
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I’m definitely stirring the pot here. Some like it, some don’t like change. I’m just hear to create as much joy as possible where I can. I’m happy that I moved here even more. I’ve been looking for a sense of community and hopefully have found it. My son was kissed by Angels when he was born. I should have made kindness his middle name. 😉
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You are definitely blessed in the son department. As far as a few in the community go, you can never please everybody. But you sound like a big hit!
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Marlene, you are such a dear. Everyone deserves to feel special. I know you’ve placed smiles (and probably lumps in throats) since you arrived there. Thank you for being a positive influence in this world. xoxoxoxooxoxox
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Thank you, Alys. That includes you. But of course you are special. I just want to spread a little light wherever I go. There is more than enough of the other. Love and squishy hugs.
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Celebrate, Celebrate 🌈
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Happy Birthday to you too, Ms Marlene. I think I sent you a card, but I’m worried it was late. I can relate to your approach to birthdays. I never got one as a kid. My birthday is in January and Mom was forceful in telling me, “I am NOT going to host a bunch of kids inside the house!” At least she knew her limitations. But yeah, no birthday parties pretty much ever, until I threw one for myself in 2020 – just days before the pandemic. How amazing that was to get all my beloveds (except you, who I was worried about inviting due to driving at night…) could join me back in the before times. Anyway, blah blah. YOU are so much fun, finding ways to make other peoples’ lives – and especially their birthdays – special. You are a leader, as someone above said. Cindy? You must be feeling supported and safe, to be able to reach outside yourself so extensively and do these kinds of things. It is SO reassuring to me, and probably to TS and H too, that you have the luxury of making friends and planning special celebrations. It’s a sign that things inside you are in a good place. Hugs and hugs my beloved friend. ❤
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Your card arrived in plenty of time and is in the fuzzy photo of my last post “Another One” in the upper left hand corner of the door. It’s funny how our childhood traumas affect our choices in later life. I had one birthday party and the folks did it right. There were so many places where they got it right that I have to let go of what they didn’t know how to do. My life was a zillion times easier than theirs in so many ways. But I do love to celebrate life and people. I think half the time my own stress has me checked out so I miss important things. I am extremely fortunate though in so many ways that I want to share. Sending love and hugs.
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