This past Saturday, I had the surprise of my life! My two daughters, Marianne and Katie, secretly made arrangements and invited my immediate family and library co-workers to a retirement luncheon for me. The most surprising part of the surprise is that my entire family kept it a surprise. I had no clue and was shocked when we went into a local restaurant.
Under the guise of taking me out for lunch, both Katie and Marianne said they would like me to join them for lunch. Then Marianne told me she couldn’t make it because that Saturday was her husband James company picnic. Katie said she would meet me at my house after she made a trip to the Farmer’s Market ( a usual Saturday occurrence).That morning she asked me to go to a local farm and pick her up some ground sirloin ( a recent schedule). She called me while I was at the farm, asking me where I was. I told her I would be home soon. She told me she was starving and to hurry up.
When I arrived home, I was surprised to see the garage door open. Katie asked me if I wanted to get dressed up and since I thought I was dressed for lunch and she was so hungry I said no let’s just go. After we left the neighborhood, I told her I hadn’t put on any makeup and she asked me if I wanted to turn back home and put some on. Both of these suggestions should have alerted me because my daughters always tell me I don’t need makeup.
We arrived at the Charles Restaurant and the hostess said we were in the back. I thought it was odd she didn’t show us to a table. When we neared the door to the back room, I was shocked to see my co-workers and more shocked to see my sister and her husband, my brother and his wife, and both brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in the room. I had recently visited my brother-in-laws and sisters-in-law at the New Jersey shore and my brother and sister-in-law in Pennsylvania. I thought it would be a long time until I saw them all again because of the distance.
All six of my adult children were in the room along with my four grandchildren and a very good neighborhood friend. As far as I knew my children were coming to my home for dinner that night and to sleep over for Sunday morning. I had no idea they would all be there!
Even more of a surprise was the fact that my older daughter, Marianne had planned to have a baby shower for her sister, Katie, the next day at Katie’s house. She decided that since all the family was coming, it would be very convenient for them to stay overnight for the baby shower the next day, Sunday. What a genius idea!
After my sister and brother and their spouses and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law checked into the Best Western, they all came back and continued the celebration at my house with pizza from Ledo’s. It was wonderful having so many of the family together. I really enjoyed their company.
My two oldest sons and my daughter in law, and their three daughters did sleep over at my house and Nora, my granddaughter, helped me make pancakes for breakfast. Then I went to Panera with Marianne to pick up a catering order for lunch at Katie’s.
Everyone convened at Katie and Dan’s home around 12:00 for lunch and the baby shower. Dan’s mother, Mary, joined us and we had a wonderful afternoon at Katie and Dan’s home.
I was truly touched that Marianne went to all the trouble to celebrate my retirement by organizing everything and inviting all the family and friends to join in the party. She sent out the invitations for both the retirement and baby shower. I told her she would make a great event coordinator.
This new memory of such a great time is one I will treasure forever. Special thanks to Marianne and Katie, John and Georgie, Tom, Michael and Stephen and my beautiful grandchildren Ariana, Nora, Michael and Hannah for making their Mom and Mom Mom so happy! Thanks to my sister, Mary Anne, her husband, Don, my brother, Jim, his wife, Terri, my brothers-in-laws, Bob and Walt and sisters-in-law, Maureen and Ilene, and my niece, Maureen for making the long drive to join the party. I love you all!
