Layers of my life

Long ago Megan phoned to reserve my birthday night (1/31/09) as she said she wanted to get tickets for a surprise she wanted to take me to. I thought it might be something at the Kennedy Center or in Baltimore as she was adamant that I reserve the night. And she wouldn't tell me what it was only that I knew Alex was having two buddies over for DVDs and the 3 guys would babysit Tyler.

I had volunteered to visit Lloyd to allow Jeanne time for errands but he told me it "wasn't a good weekend." He said to come visit next weekend instead.

Megan called mid-day Saturday to verify I wasn't coming in sweats but "dressed up." She was coughing so I said, "Do you want to bag it?" She averred because she had "already bought the tickets." And I was to park in front of Alex's Pilot so we could "take her car."

Late afternoon Dylan and Christine arrived at my house with a vase of tulips and some delicous preserves as my birthday present. They were headed for a party with friends in Towson.

When I arrived in Columbia, Megan came out to make sure I didn't fall on ice. She was barefoot in flip flops. I told her she couldn't go anywhere without shoes. As I followed her into the house, flashes went off from the darkened LR. The lights went on and people who have been layers of my life waved wearing wigs and/or teal, the color of ovarian cancer.

Dylan and Christine were there; Christine helping JoAnne, who had catered the entire event, and Dylan creating signature drinks (the teal Chemopolitan and the amaretto & Starbucks coffee liquor, the Jo Joe) and tending bar. Megan had put together a scrapbook of photos and memories collected from those attending and those who couldn't.

Cousins from Illinois; daughter Deb, SIL Hugh and son Andrew from Boston; my niece & nephew from NJ; my other son from Annapolis; Joy came from an Eastern shore funeral, and myriad friends from my life and USNA were there. Grandson Andrew entertained Tyler downstairs checked on by SIL Alex except when Tyler came up to hug Mama and Oma (me).

The food was outstanding. Everyone looked great in teal. Tersheia and Diana sent flowers. Larry and Dylan wore mops as wigs; there were multi-colored clown wigs, Ellen wore a hot pink one, Martha a Hannah Montana one. It was a hoot!

I was shell-shocked. And extremely blessed.