December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)
“Rocked my socks off.” Hmmm. Party – people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. These are the words to inspire me today. They don’t. I’m not a partygoer, or at least not one who seeks out parties where music, drink, clothes and shenanigans call for detailed description after the fact. Sorry, Reverb10, a bit too jejune for me today.
It might be that I’m looking at the world through a different lens at the moment. Today is my father’s 90th birthday. My husband, father and I spent the day together. We went out to Village Inn for breakfast. It was lovely as we laughed together enjoying each other. My dad giggled heartily at Leroy’s comment about himself and the man from Pittsburg who are the only two people the country who drink Starbucks coffee. Not the specialty drinks, just the coffee. You had to be there.
We went home to open gifts. The first was one given to me at school to take home to my dad. It was from the family of one of my students. It is a lovely olive wood cross hand carved by my student’s family. They are Christians from Palestine who do carvings for their livelihood. They are warm and caring and understand the value of family. The second gift was from Bremen. Bremen adores my Dad and my Dad adores Bremen. Bremen came into our lives as a rescue dog a few years ago. It is my dad’s calling to care for this pooch. The $1,000,000 bill Bremen gave to dad made him smile. Dad’s not sure, but he might buy an airplane with it. Finally we presented him with a new picture frame. The center photo is one of Mom who passed away almost ten years ago. It is surrounded by smaller pictures of my dad’s mom and dad in front of the “summer kitchen,” one of the three of us, one of my dad’s car form the 40’s, and, of course, one of Bremen. It now proudly sits next to his chair in the family room where we all can enjoy it.
Our next adventure was the drive to the cemetery to put the Christmas flowers at mom’s grave. We try to go there monthly. It is a long drive from where we live, but we enjoy the trip. On the way home, a chicken sandwich was called for. After a quick stop at Chick-fil-A, we settled at home for lunch and the afternoon. The planned trip to the movies was just a bit too much excitement for the day, as was dinner out. So roasted shrimp, a New York strip steak, and roasted vegetables nourished us. While the angel food cake my dad loves covered in juicy strawberries and whipped cream topped off the night.
On this day there was no rocking the socks off of anyone. Nor were their blaring songs making your ears buzz, drinks to numb the senses, or clothes too tight and too short with heels too high to be comfortable in. It was just the four of us, I mustn’t forget Bremen, enjoying each other’s company and being thankful we have one another. Now that is a party.
To Create... 
Oh your celebration sounds just perfectly lovely. My kind of night in too! How do we introverts survive in an extroverted world? I just picked up Marti Olsen Laney's book called The Introvert Advantage. Love it! I'll share if you'd like. I have to tell you, I'm missing Chick-fil-A now! And it's all your fault…don't you love their waffle fries and lemonade too? Thanks for sharing your celebration with me too. Happy Birthday Lex's daddy! You are so blessed to have each other.
What a perfect day! You're right – much better than any party I can think of – and your word "jejune" was honestly kind of my feeling about the prompt as well. I guess we're showing our age? 🙂 Or maybe just the content of our character? Had I been feeling better I would actually have written about my dear friends here in CT who throw wonderful parties from the heart. No 'shenanigans' and the music blaring is usually Frank Sinatra – but I didn't have it in me. Maybe another day.I'm so glad you and your Dad and Leroy and Bremen had such a wonderful day. The satisfaction of that is so much greater then a wild party followed by an empty house. Been there done that way too many times….
Deb, thank you! I'll check out the book and I gave my dad your wishes.Susan, I do think I get a bit grumpy and age might have a bit to do with it! ;0) I think the quite parties are the best.