My 80th Birthday Celebration
December 19, 2017 10:06 am 2 Comments
It was an unforgettable birthday party. My daughter, Heidi, won’t be here for my actual birthday in January, so an early one was planned for my 80th. I’m definitely over the speed limit now.
Friends from Loudonville, Syracuse, Canajoharie, Sinking Spring, Vestal, Otego, Boston, Charlottesville, Binghamton, and Reading came. Thank you, dear friends for surprising me with your presence and gifts.
Here’s the song my family sang for me (while I cried). It is to the tune of “Favorite Things.”
“These are a Few of our Great Memories”
“Quilts in all colors
And handwritten letters
Playing piano is always a pleasure
12 types of cookies for Christmas to share
These are a few of our great memories
Meatballs and pound cake, the best apple pie
In endless supply
Stockings for Christmas all filled up with care
These are a few of our great memories
Head of the family, our matriarch, wise
Powerful story brings tears to our eyes
Silver white hair you can spot anywhere
These are a few of our great memories
Sipping coffee
Home cooked meals galore
So many memories that we could share
And then we could share some more
Nabak Translator
And Bible Scholar
Linguist and friend to our sisters and brothers
Hiking up mountains at age 59
These are a few of our great memories
Forgiveness and patience
And ceaseless devotion
Faith by example and Bible Translation
Praying for others with arms open wide
These are a few of our great memories
House warm and cozy with books overflowing
Time with the Father
Gives strength for His bidding
Trusting her king, she will fly anywhere
These are a few of our great memories
Playing scrabble
Sipping coffee
Home cooked meals galore
So many memories that we could share
And then we could share some more
So many memories that we could share
And then we could share some more.”
They also put together a beautiful power point of pictures from across the years. Here is a link to it:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uu69yf55nhdxykv/AACgvNbhuWKZerDX1aRrnNBSa?dl=0
The theme was a tea party with flowers galore and dainty tea cups on each table. I wish you could have seen it, a perfect setting at Davis College where I graduated in 1959 and received my doctorate.
I was deeply moved by the memories and kind thoughts that people expressed.
The biggest surprise was learning that donations would provide for me to travel to Texas to see my best friend and go on a quilt retreat. You are such dear people to do this for me.
2 Comments
Oh, Grace, I so wanted to be there but could not because of a speaking engagement. It sounds like a super celebration for a super lady. You’ve filled your years with overflowing grace. What a privilege to get to know you. Congratulations with wishes for many more years of serving the Lord with joy! Love, Patti Souder
Thank you, Patti. It would have been lovely if you could come, but I was pretty overwhelmed by the many people who did come. You have always been so positive and I’ve loved my times coming to the Christian Writer’s Conference. May your new year be filled to overflowing with grace and truth and peace. God is so gracious. It is not at all difficult to keep serving Him. Warm thoughts to you – Grace