Today, the birthdays of my past would be expected, nothing unusual. However, decades ago, when I was a 6 year old, my mom went all out on my party. For weeks I wasn’t allowed in my parents’ bedroom. There were some whispered phone calls and late night projects. Since my birthday is in the smack dab middle of summer, she couldn’t count on me being away at school or another activity to conduct her clandestine activities without my prying eyes. We had moved to this new town a year before and the only kids I knew were from my kindergarten class. My mom had the idea that the best way to meet all of the neighborhood children was to invite them to the party.
What she created was pure magic! A full blown carnival/circus in our rather large backyard. No animals of course other than the family wire-haired terrier, Curly. However, there were tons of games, carnie food and great decorations. The real magic was that she did it all herself. There was no where to purchase such things in our small city so she created it all.
Momma had become a stay at home mom when I was born in her 36th year. She had friends whose kids were ready to head off to college at that age! At the time she was far older than my friends’ parents, but now, of course, it is more normal! So momma had the gift of life experience by the time that I came along. Just as her mom had when my momma, the youngest of 5 children, was born when my grandmother was 40 and her oldest brother was 20.
Her college major was commercial art and she could (and did) make anything out of found objects. She had spent years hosting fabulous parties (luau’s, 4th of July parties, beach picnics and more) before I came along, so it was a natural for her to jump in and do the same for me. I discovered in my adult years that many of my friends were quite jealous of those parties but were very excited to receive an invitation. Poor dears, they had ‘pin the tail on the donkey’, cake and ice cream. I had a carnival in my backyard with a ‘go fish’ game, ’see the monkey in the mirror’ activity, ‘bowling’, ‘ring toss’, and yellow ducks to puck from a wading pool, all with prizes for everyone. There were stilts to walk on. Faces painted with clown makeup. Streamers were draped from trees to resemble a circus tent. There was a concession window (into our breakfast room) with hot dogs, cotton candy, ice cream cups and more and play money to ‘buy’ our treats! In 1962, this was not your average party.
My mom enjoyed creating parties more than anyone I knew. She always went all out and used her artistic training and talent to express her themes. Thank goodness for most folks, now there are more choices and Internet stores (such as www.LovedTheParty.com! hint hint) that have selections to help people create wonderful parties today.
There were lots of parties in my life that she created and I must admit that I probably took them for granted growing up. I wasn’t amazed at how much she did as I was at how little the other mothers did. As a mom of now grown children, I realize that her effort and talent was quite special and the other moms weren’t being slackers… that she just had a talent she had to share through parties. Luckily she was more than willing to pitch whenever her friends called in need of help!
Thanks, Momma, for all you did and for all you taught me. I don’t think that I said it enough! I miss you.
