July 21, 2023 Surprise!

Kaydee thought that her birthday celebration was fantastic. She and a group of her girlfriends went out on her husband Barrman’s boat for an evening cruise on her birthday. Her 60 years on planet Earth have gone so fast, now she was celebrating another milestone birthday with her mom. But don’t tell anyone that her mother was turning 90.

All their lives they have celebrated their birthdays two days apart. Yet they have celebrated in completely different ways. Mom never told anyone how old she was and never shared her birthday. It was always a quiet celebration with family, especially her husband. Now he is gone and Mom was alone. So her 90th birthday was subdued. Kaydee, her brother and her sister-in-law had a nice lunch by the water. Barrman said he was busy with a tour so she would spend the day alone with her mom.

After an afternoon relaxing with her mom, Kaydee went to meet her friends Cher, Jen, and Tee at Sammy J’s for a cocktail. They hung out for a couple of drinks and then headed home. Barrman called and asked if Cher and Jen wanted to join them for a bar-b-que. Why not, it would be fun!

She thought maybe it was a little more than a bar-b-que, but she’d already celebrated her big day. 

Her phone rang, it was Barrman, “Hi honey, where are you?” He asked.

“I’m just coming up the street.” That was nice – he was concerned, she was running a bit late.

Cher and Jen pulled in behind her and Kaydee got out of the car. Out the front door walked their neighbour, Sean. Why was he there? Barrman did mention a bar-b-que. Kaydee shrugged and followed her friends down the sidewalk to the back door. Her husband stood waiting with a big smile on his face. That was nice. He was happy to see her.

Kaydee rounded the corner and a warm feeling of love erupted and enveloped her.

“Surprise!” Sixty voices exploded in unison.

There were so many friends standing in her backyard. She glowed and pointed as she saw who was there to greet her. Big Boarder and his wife, Crispee and Cookster, Braffster and his wife. And so many others. 

Everyone was there for her.

Her body warmed from the tips of her toes to the edges of her fingers. Her stomach swirled in joy. All these people were there to surprise her for her birthday. The only small tingle of regret was that her mom and her brother and sister-in-law were not there. 

As the night wore on, she forgot about any regrets and reveled in the joy of it all. Brad and Kinga set up a stage and played some amazing music. She tried to visit with everyone and the warmth of the night filled her soul with joy. 

As the night wound down, the musicians packed up and went home. People filtered out until the last friends bid their farewell. 

Kaydee glowed at the moment. A moment created just for her. She hugged Barrman tight, “You… you got me.”

“Surprise.” Barrman smiled and hugged her back, “Happy birthday.”