June 20, 1940 was a day of infamy. It was Plymouth. It was the longest day of the year. It was the first day of summer. Daughter No. 2 to George and Lyla appeared on the scene.
Fast forward to June 20, 2007. The birthday girl's wish was to trundle on up to Door county to spend a day with her favorite sister and brother-in-law. It meant bonding (non-stop exchanging of stories), shopping, dining and of course for me, golf. Say it isn't true! A day vacationing in door county with all those demands. Oh, well.
Honey's first gift of the day was an Apple I-Pod already programmed with 125 nifty '50's, '60's, and 70's tunes. The purchase was mine but the programming was Grasshopper No. 1. Now the trick will be to learn how to load in new tunes and delete old. It generated smile No. 1. I am absolutely certain that the recording/player device will get lots of usage.
Smile No. 2 came when she saw me disappear with Bill to the golf course and she was able to visit special shops in Bailey's Harbor with Jo-Jo. Hiding in a corner of a furniture store waiting to be discovered was a round, rose-decorated, bronze "shield". You know! A concave bowl with riveted reinforcing that a "knight of the Round Table" might have used to defend himself from ememy swords. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I think it is headed for above the fireplace. Remember, it produced a smile.
Smile No. 3 was a decorative candlestick holder from her sister.
Smile No. 4 was dinner at a restaurant part owned by Bill's son Andy called Don's Glidden Restaurant south of Bailey's Harbor. We had a table over-looking Lake Michigan. The food was good. Lots of reminiscing! Maybe some exaggeration.
Then it was over-night at Bill and JoAnn's Lodge and Restaurant.
The weather was spectacular.
The next day after the birthday, we had to get back to reality. We headed home. It was back to hot dogs. Soup. "Left-Overs".
Complimenting the birthday effort were birthday cards from children, friends and family. Some beautiful roses showed up on our doorstep. The sender is a mystery but I think she lives in Minneapolis. More smiles.
So to all who helped make birthday No. 39 (plus another year or two) a resounding memory. a sincere thank you. I still can't wipe the smile off her face.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that sometimes wishes can be granted. Wishes can come true. It was a memorable 24 hours. By the way, my golf game sucked but somebody had to play in 75 degree sunshine on a perfectly manicured course. Oh what I do to make a birthday wish come true. Actually I found myself smiling too.
Love,
Dad