I think everyone can agree that no two families, let alone people, adjust to the passing of a loved one in precisely the same way.\u00a0 Since my dad left this life for the next, our family has fallen into a pattern that is a balm to grieving hearts that sorely miss his presence in our midst.\u00a0 We celebrate!\u00a0 We celebrate his birthday every year, we celebrate his passing, and on Saturday, we had much cause to celebrate with Mother what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary.\u00a0 Our plans were laid hastily in the morning when it dawned upon us what day it was.\u00a0 Mother took Jeff, Paul and I out to a scrumptious lunch at the Olive Garden (a favorite of theirs for many years), and while we were gone, the girls put together a party — in the morning, they went shopping and bought a great big butterfly balloon and a bouquet of flowers, and Jeff got involved with that and came home with four kinds of ice cream and four kinds of sparkling juice.\u00a0 Then during our luncheon, they made mom’s favorite Wacky Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting.\u00a0 Geneva had her friend Faith visiting for an overnighter, so we had an extra participant to enhance our celebration even more.\u00a0 Lunch time was filled with reminiscences and the retelling of favorite stories.\u00a0 We do that, you see, we re-tell the stories.\u00a0 We do not tire of them, for it is our oral tradition!\u00a0 And when we all came together later in the afternoon for cake, it was\u00a0 so very festive, and I know Dad was as delighted with it all as was our dear Mama!!<\/p>\n
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