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Kit McCallum
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since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

0 posted 2001-03-11 09:44 AM


*a true story, just last week, LOL*


.
A VERY Belated Birthday

I had a conversation with a co-worker one day,
Just chatting on a break and reminiscing, come what may;
She told me several months ago, her son was turning four,
And had a special party planned … a birthday bash in store.

Her husband thought her silly, as he'd never had such fun,
But then my jaw dropped to the ground to learn "she'd" not had one!
"I can't believe my ears!" I said, "Not one birthday at all?"
"You NEVER had a cake and friends with family to recall?!?"

She reminisced about her youth, and what I found so sad,
Is though she lived a lovely life, no party did she have;
No invitations to give out, anticipating fun,
No sleepovers, no games, no cakes, no presents, songs … not one!

I tucked away that little thought, not sure what to contrive,
But placed a note reminding me, when "her" birthday arrived;
And sure enough, the other day, a message came on-screen,
Reminding me I had "one" day, to plan a birthday scene.

I pulled up happy mem'ries that I had from younger days,
The party hats, the streamers and the little games we played;
I grabbed a shopping cart, and gathered all I needed then,
And e-mailed all our co-workers to tell them of the plan.

We ordered pizza to arrive a little after one,
That gave us time to decorate the office for some fun!
At twelve o'clock she watched the phones, it gave us time to hang,
A multitude of streamers, topped with banners and some things.

We set the mood with party plates, and birthday cups and horns,
Laid out upon a table like my mother had adorned,
We had it right, the atmosphere, was pre-pubescent teen …
A party waiting for a gal who's close to forty-three!

We dimmed the lights, and waited as she finished up the phones,
Another woman nonchalantly escorted her "home" …
The door was opened, lights came on, we jumped and yelled "Surprise!!!"
Let loose the horns and banners, sang her birthday song with pride!

She clutched her heart, her eyes were wide, her mouth a perfect "O",
She stood in shock, we grabbed her then ... her feet were letting go!
We sat her in her birthday chair (which hung with streamers too),
And there she sat, with trembling voice, a smile that grew and grew.

We offered her four presents, in the order of her birth,
The first one labeled "1 through 10" (each era of her youth);
She opened them with shaky hands, a small stuffed toy to start,
Then followed with the other gifts each one, decades apart.

We chattered like a bunch of kids, we wore the party hats,
We played the "Pin the Donkey" game, and had some belly laughs;
The pizza came, and after that, we dimmed the lights and then,
While candles topped a child-like cake, we sang to her again.

The tears welled up and filled her eyes, reflected in the flames;
"This birthday is the best I've EVER had!" She did proclaim!

/Kit McCallum




[This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 03-11-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved
Poet deVine
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since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
1 posted 2001-03-11 10:00 AM


This brought tears to my eyes. YOU are an angel to do this for your friend. The poem is wonderful.
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
2 posted 2001-03-11 10:04 AM


Thank you Sharon ... I'm still smiling. Believe me, there wasn't a dry eye in the house at the end. It was just wonderful .. thanks for enjoying too!

Much appreciation,
/Kit

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

3 posted 2001-03-11 10:06 AM


We offered her four presents, in the order of her birth,
The first one labeled "1 through 10" (each era of her youth);
She opened them with shaky hands, a small stuffed toy to start,
Then followed with the other gifts each one, decades apart.

We chattered like a bunch of kids, we wore the party hats,
We played the "Pin the Donkey" game, and had some belly laughs;
The pizza came, and after that, we dimmed the lights and then,
While candles topped a child-like cake, we sang to her again.

The tears welled up and filled her eyes, reflected in the flames;
"This birthday is the best I've EVER had!" She did proclaim!
=====================

YOU ARE SO COOL!!!!!! AND SWEET!!!!
what a wonderful thing to do and a wonderful
memory set to rhyme this is...
thank you for sharing this Kit-gator
I've said it before....you are a smile waiting to happen
hugs girlie
jm

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
4 posted 2001-03-11 12:54 PM


Hugs right back at ya Janet Marie, and you know? I can never help but smile when I read your wonderful comments ... you're a smile happening always!

Much appreciation,
/Kit

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
5 posted 2001-03-11 04:58 PM


Wonderful write Kit!
You are just a beauty and no one can deny it. I love this it's so human and complete!

Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
6 posted 2001-03-11 09:32 PM


What a sweetheart ... many happy returns Kit

Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2001-03-12 07:29 AM


Kit~
My stars !
What a wonderful, wonderful story !

Happy Birthday, Friend-Of-Kits !
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
8 posted 2001-03-12 07:44 AM


We offered her four presents, in the order of her birth,
The first one labeled "1 through 10" (each era of her youth);
She opened them with shaky hands, a small stuffed toy to start,
Then followed with the other gifts each one, decades apart.

Such a wonderful gift to her..and so creative too..I loved it!

~Wynter


"The worst prison would be a closed heart".
...Pope John Paul II



kaile
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Member Ascendant
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146
singapore
9 posted 2001-03-12 08:22 AM


this was a sweet thing to do for a friend...this leaves me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside..thanks for the read
suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
10 posted 2001-03-13 11:34 AM


What a wonderful gift to give... what a wonderful story it made... what a wonderful poem you've written... Geesh, Kit... you made me lose all my adjectives! LOL. I love this!
Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

11 posted 2001-03-13 04:01 PM


May I say this is so neat! Makes me happy just reading it! I love these thoughts!!

Kathleen Blake

"When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass,
and the sun drips honey."
Laurie Lee


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