The idea of a party for my 75th seemed fun when asked about. The reality of making it happen filled me with anxiety…at first. A guest list? I have to make a guest list? I don’t know anybody here, really, who would I invite besides my two glass couple friends who don’t even live here and a couple of neighbors and family, a puny prospect for a party, although as my daughter said, we’re a party all on our own. Then I was reminded about the people I volunteer with at SHARE and the ones I go to yoga with. I discounted the class in El Campo, I’m the oldest person, as old as everyone else’s parents, and their attendance twice a week for 40 minutes at a time is sporadic and we don’t really socialize. The yoga class here though, I invited the older couple who comes every time that I’ve gotten friendly with and one other person.
That left SHARE wherein most of my anxiety stemmed. Can I invite just the volunteers I work with in the back or should I invite all the volunteers. I don’t really want to hurt anyone’s feelings if word got around they weren’t invited but it’s not a SHARE social event. Ultimately I invited all but three that were there last Thursday when I handed out the really cute invitations one at a time that my daughter made. And I have to tell you I was really surprised by some of the delight and positive reactions I got. In the end I invited about 40 people (some I know can’t/won’t come) about half of which are family. That’s a lot. Too many maybe. What if it rains and we have to have it in our small house? I was anxious about who to invite and now I’m anxious that they'll all show up!
I’ve been working out in the yard, doing things I ordinarily ignore like picking up all the bricks laying around and empty pots, made the table a new leg,
cut out all the brown and tattered leaves from the aspidistra, moved some pots around. It’s looking very nice. Of course all the pretty things that have been blooming all month will be done by next Sunday but some of the day lilies might be blooming and the purple coneflowers are starting up.
Next week I’ll be doing house cleaning and putting stuff away. Sarah came over yesterday afternoon to plan for food and drink and chairs. Basically barbecued chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, a potato dish (getting that from a local eatery), a green salad, a pasta salad, maybe deviled eggs, a cake, cookies, beer, wine, lemonade, tea, water.
Yeah, I think it’s going to be fun despite my misplaced misgivings.
And today is the stolen holiday of Eostre, the pre-christian celebration of spring and fertility when Mother Earth is renewed in the form of Virgin Spring proudly showing off her tender pretty lady bits inviting all the pollinators to come fulfill her. Getting it on with your loved one is especially appropriate today.
