90TH BIRTHDAY! My problem: How do I go about saying "Thank You" to even part of the many people who helped make my recent "90th Birthday Celebration" something best described by a word today's young people use - "awesome!"
I cannot think of it all without that reverential aura of awe. The miracle of family was there - kinfolks, too, the extended and still-growing family of friends many of whom I have known for many years and others I am meeting for the first time.
The party was held at Hermitage Presbyterian Church near Waynesboro,Va. It was at that site largely because Dan and Janet Arndt, Vivian's brother, I think among those instigators who dreamed all of this up. .They had both worked hard on finishing off the new hall and our gathering was, I understand, the first non-church activity in the new facility. It proved to be ideal for us in every way. Everything, including excellent food and fine service was right where it should be. The large hall had, perhaps ten or twelve large, round tables and each was held in place by colorful inflated balloons. The ones at the table at which Vivian and I were were seated had "90" emblazoned on them. They were bigger and fancier.
Cameras were plentiful and much of the afternoon was concerned with the taking of both formal and informal shots. TV cameras were on, as well and if there remains enough development and printing stuff available we ought to be wading through a small sea of pictures about a month from now.
Granddaughter Frannie Fulk had a large table filled with eight or ten large photograph albums - big, looseleaf binder types - which she has been editing and re-mounting. She has done a remarkable job of restoring the old books to prime condition and a great many guests enjoyed looking a the weddings, homes, people. Frannie also plans to add incoming flood of 90th bd-pix to the books as well. She has done a fantastic job and it shows through, too as a labor of love.
Just before we let our house in Brendan Lane, Weyers Cave to drive to Hermitage Church, the days mail was delivered. There was a large cardboard envelope, from Helga and Brian Thomson. They are Julian Tompson, Granddaughter Annette's husbands parents. The large piece is made of real, live clover leaves, tipped with a subtle touch of color and pressed in some mysterious fashion into the very surface the board or whatever - smooth touch - with lettering wishing me a Happy 90th!
Once more: "Awesome!"
A.L.M. March 2, 2006 [c443wds]
