Birthday

My red rose from Smitty

My birthday has always been so important to me.  Family,  friends, cake, ice cream, cards and a few gifts always made the day special.

This year my birthday did not include cake and ice cream.  I had a couple of gifts, a lovely rose from my darling husband, but no happy birthday song.  FaceBook brought me greetings from across the pond, but my kids and grandkids live too far away to visit.  The day was awesome, however; more than I had anticipated.

Library computer and birthday greetings

In the morning I read and worked our latest puzzle.  At school I found notes from the 5th grade girls taped to my computer.  Almost every child I encountered said, "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Smith."  Birthdays are for feeling special, and I did.

Liel Dorm

Smitty and I drove to Liel dorm to have dinner and help the dorm parents.  We arrived before the dinner van to a quiet house.  No sooner had the van appeared and dinner brought in, than the noise began.  I had forgotten how much noise fourteen teenaged girls can make!  Dinner was lively.

More cards by the end of the day!

The girls cleaned up after dinner as the adults took turns shuttling students, and making arrangements for doctors and special events.  Once the girls who remained at the dorm settled into study time, Smitty took on chopping veggies for lunches and I made snickerdoodle cookies.  We chatted with Michelle and Troy, the dorm parents as different girls came through to ask about the cookies, make lunches, and just hang out.  One of the girls sat on the stool and nibbled fresh strawberries (Strawberries have just arrived in the markets, yum!), and cucumbers.  At one point Michelle was in her office.  She opened the door, gave me a quizzical look, and said, "Is today your birthday?"  Receiving the affirmative answer, she wished me a happy birthday.  Every girl in the dorm soon came by to do the same.

We finished the evening with a counter covered in containers of chopped lunch veggies, several dozen baked cookies, and enough dough to make four dozen more.  I finished my birthday feeling blessed and special to have shared it with so many people here and in the US.