Saturday, September fifteenth dawned bright and clear and everyone was up early to prepare for the big day. Since Johnny and Chrissy’s new house was about half way between Lydia’s place and Ed and Penny’s place, they had decided to have the party there.-On the level lawn, they had put up a badminton net, horseshoe pits, and a croquet field as well as a host of tables and benches some of which were under a tent to avoid sunburn for the eldest and youngest members of the group.-There was also a table set aside for birthday gifts for Lydia.-She just couldn’t believe all those pretty packages piled upon that table were for her.
Speaking of ‘piled high,’ the caterers had mounds of food heaped on platters that covered one huge table.-Drinks were stacked on another table and tempting desserts were arranged around a beautiful birthday cake on still another.-The cake was decorated with balloons of every color and hue.-Within a confining net was a colorful display of helium-filled balloons ready to be released at the same moment that Lydia blew out her candles.-The eighty-two balloons were in honor of the eighty-two years of her life.
Someone had brought a beautiful tiara with which they crowned her and proclaimed her “Queen for the Day.”-They had brought out her favorite chair from the living room to serve as her throne and to be sure she was comfortable.-When it was time to blow out the candles, Lydia asked everyone around to help her blow them out so her wish would come true.-When someone asked her what she had wished for, she wouldn’t tell.
“Don’t you know, it won’t come true, if I tell what I wished for?-Besides with all these family and friends, all this food and gifts, I had a terrible time coming up with something to wish for.”-
“Okay, Grandmother, pull the string to release the balloons.-We’ve put your name, address and phone number in each one of them and a note asking anyone who finds one to call or write and tell where they found it.-Won’t it be interesting to know where they get to?-Look, they’re already almost out of sight.-That was a big bunch of balloons, wasn’t it?”
“They looked so beautiful floating away like that, all different colors and all.-That was one of the best parts of the party.”
Kathleen stood up and asked if she might have everyone’s attention for just a moment.-“I have an announcement to make and I decided to wait until Grandmother’s birthday to make it.-I will begin classes on January ninth at the College of Veterinary Medicine on the campus of the University of Kentucky.”-She would have continued but there was so much cheering and whistling going on she couldn’t be heard.-Anyway, she figured she had family approval.-After all the hugging and hand shaking and congratulations she made another statement:
“It’s time for the next part.-Open your gifts, Grandmother.”-Lydia got so tired opening all her gifts, that she finally asked Andy, Candy and their little cousin Genny to open the gifts and hand them to her.-That didn’t displease them at all.-Janet kept a list of all the gifts she received, what they were and who they were from.-She loved all the gifts and appreciated everything, but she couldn’t help but be touched by the gift from Ed’s father, Fred Wroe.-It was a hand-crafted kaleidoscope made of pieces of real stained glass.-The tube was triangular and the double circles at the end turned individually and made an unending variety of patterns that were always unique.-The card had said, A unique gift for a unique person.-For Lydia from Fred.-She blushed just a little but was extremely pleased.-She’d have to find a special way to express her gratitude.
When the day was over, everyone was totally exhausted but quite pleased with the success of the party.-At least they had thought the day was over, but it seemed the evening had just begun. Grandmother Lydia had always loved fireworks.-A few years ago when nothing seemed to please her and she seemed to get no enjoyment from life whatsoever, she still loved to watch fireworks.-So Johnny had bought fireworks and just after dark he began the final phase of the celebration by setting off the fireworks in her honor.-One after another they rocketed skyward, each one seeming to be more beautiful than the last.-It was a fantastic display and everybody enjoyed it, especially Lydia.-She told Johnny it was the perfect end to a perfect day.-Most of the partyers had dessert again and then called it a night.-That night many of the witnesses to the fireworks dreamed of the rainbows of colors flashing, twinkling and arcing across the sky.
Before Lydia went home, she searched through the crowd of people until she found Fred.-She stood on tiptoe and gently touched her lips to his cheek.
“I received so many wonderful gifts today, but I wanted you to know that I will treasure your gift as long as I live.-I’ve always loved fireworks because of their colorful patterns but they never lasted long enough.-Now, I can have my beautiful colors in a never-ending display of unique patterns any time I want.-Thank you so very much.”-She had said it quietly but there were a few who heard her words and wondered what might be going on.
Fred took her hand and brought it to his lips.-If it hadn’t been so dark, someone might have thought Lydia blushed a little.- “If I borrow Chrissy’s car, could I take you home?-I would offer to walk you home, but I don’t know if either of us would make it that far?”-Lydia nodded and they both chuckled.
A few minutes later, Fred came back with the keys to Chrissy’s car which was parked only a few feet from where Lydia was waiting.-Fred opened the car door and helped Lydia inside, then got in and drove slowly up the hill to her house.-When they pulled up to the front gate, the motion detectors turned on the outside lights; but the lights weren’t a deterrent.-Fred leaned over and kissed Lydia on the lips.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since the first time I saw you.-I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“I think I might be offended if you don’t do it again,” Lydia whispered.-Fred pulled her close to him and holding her tightly, he kissed her again.-
“I definitely don’t want to offend you, Sweetheart.”-Then he helped her into the house and took Chrissy’s car home.-Both of the old people had young dreams that evening.-