A Special Birthday for an Octogenarian!

   Who knew that a room full of octogenarians could be so much fun?!! My husband's aunt was celebrating her 80th birthday, and she decided to throw herself a party. After all, why wait around?! She handcrafted the invitations and mailed them to her closest friends and family (including her three nieces). Her lovely daughter drove up from Miami, Florida, to assist her mom in putting the finishing touches on what would prove to be a delightful evening.

Yes, that's a bottle of wine you spy in the picture.
I told you we had fun!

   By way of introducing us to one another, the Birthday Girl went around the room and told each one of us where she had first met us and what her immediate impressions were at the time. Some of the women who were there had been her friends since kindergarten. You do the math. That's a long time.

Of course, being a Southern hostess meant that there was a lovely table
replete with her mother's china, flat silver, and plenty of food!

 And of course, a cake!

   I was impressed with the genuineness, easy laughter that flowed, and the comfortable intimacy that exists between these ladies. After all these are friendships that have literally stood the test of time. It's a joy to watch these gray-haired lovelies chuckle in unison and complete one another's stories with ease.  And despite the fact that the stories have been oft repeated, they all laugh with glee and carry on as if they have never heard them before.
   I hope that I can grow up to be as gracious, lovely, and lively as this group of dear friends. They have certainly aged well!

 A niece on the left and a daughter on the right!

Another of the nieces with the Birthday Girl!

    Happy Birthday, dear Betty Ann! 

Thank you for sharing your special day with us!