When my children began planning a celebration of my 80th birthday in May, it soon evolved into a nationwide celebration. When it became apparent that it would be difficult to get all of my progeny—nine children, 17-plus grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and eleven spouses-in-law—all together in one place, they decided to begin with a celebration at my home, and then ship me out west to continue the celebration with the rest of the family. Accordingly, on the weekend of May 7th five children, with two spouses, and six grandchildren, gathered at my country home, for a sleep-out, cook-out, sing-out, play-out, with the grands continuing a decade-long game of Capture the Flag, the oldest players now 35. On Sunday they hosted a cake and ice-cream social for family and 17 friends. Families visiting included: Dale Brady (WV), Paula Elizabeth (Ky), Bruce and Ingy Cutler, with Ava and Ty (NY), Amy and Lloyd Purves, with Austen and Julia, (MD), and Halle Papai, with sons Sean, Mitchell, and Spencer, (MD), (husband Bob absent). Paula is the mother of two lovely married daughters who were unable to attend. Lindsay and Chad live in NC; Whitney and Jaime Roberts, with their son, Quinn, live in AL. A few days later I was put on a plane bound for the West, to visit family in Spokane, Missoula, and Denver. In Spokane I visited for a few days with Cori and her new husband, Chris, and her 17-year-old step-son, Eric, and helped Cori start a flower garden. Then spent a few days with Valerie and her husband, Craig, and two sons, Cass and Max, as well as a brand-new great-granddaughter, Diandra, and her mother, Charmaine, and went shopping with Valerie for wedding finery and gifts. We all traveled to Missoula where I visited with Julia and her husband, Chris, and their two grown sons, Patrick and Mark. There we attended the wedding of Mark and Robin, as well as meeting for the first time Patrick's wife of two years, Lindsay. There were a few exciting days spent with 20 family members at a family cabin on Holland Lake, for talk and good food and boating and reading, and where 10 grands continued the western version of the game of Capture the Flag—in just a few short years they will be bringing my great-grands home to play the game with them. From there I traveled with Tim and his wife, Kim, to Longmont and Denver, Colorado, on the way touring Yellowstone Park. In Denver we had a tour ofthe enchanting Botanical Gardens and of the awe-inspiring Garden of the Gods, and attended a symphony, Mahler’s 9th. As well, I visited with four grands—Josh, Ben, Joe, and Grace, and a step-granddaughter, Livvy. In Longmont I visited with a former daughter-in-law, Julie, mother of four of my grandchildren. Oh, and lots of wonderful food, home-cooked and at local restaurants. And then, after three weeks, a three-hour flight home. Let’s see, did I forget anything? Anyone? Probably, but all told a wonderful, exhilarating, exhausting, yet relaxing, celebration.
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