Barbara J. Hamby

The Party’s Over

Last Wednesday morning my recently widowed sister from California arrived and began to help me get ready for a party on Saturday to celebrate my 80th birthday and my daughter’s retirement. Two other sisters and a brother-in-law arrived Friday evening and a large group of us had dinner together at a local restaurant.

We rented the King City Club House next door and filled it with about 30 people on party day. Sisters, cousins (including one I hadn’t seen since childhood days), nieces, nephews and offspring (with and without spouses) all joined the celebration. My son hired some peers to form a quartet and serenade us with very oldies and goodies, and a couple of couples danced a bit. Flowers, balloons, and enough food for a small army added to the festivities.

Those who stayed over the weekend and those who live locally gathered at our apartment and we had a great visit Sunday. My two Seattle sisters and a brother-in-law left Monday morning and I took my California sister to the airport this morning. A rainstorm showed up just in time to usher her out of Oregon. It had poured on us as we left a restaurant Monday evening. She had wanted to see some rain, but not so much at once.

After a little laundry, I did some grocery shopping while our house cleaner worked this afternoon. Then I came home and had a long nap in our too-quiet home.