June, 2nd 2025 My 98th Birthday Party
It is Monday, June the 2nd my birthday and Marcie, Karin and Jessika, my loving friends have organized a birthday celebration for me. I reserved our dining room here in our building from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
We had twenty guests. By 3:00 PM they were all seated, time to start the party.
Before I continue, I would first like to mention several new guests. It is about Joanne and her husband Doug. She is one of my dear friends from our “French Connection” Group, we were in French class together many years ago. Joanne has been very ill, still has trouble walking and we had not visited with one another for about five years. It was my biggest wish to have her join us, celebrating my 98th birthday.
The other guest is Teri and her lovely daughter Mekena. We lost the connection with each other twenty eight years ago, but Teri kept searching and just a few weeks ago found me through my “Short Stories” which I have been writing for almost five years now. July 1st, there will be the story about Teri finding me. The website, my dearest friend Marcie’s: “marcielsims.com Blog The Write stuff” you will find the story.
I was elated and very happy to greet Teri, her gentleman Gene and her beautiful Mekena.
Champagne was being poured and the food, very delicious food, all arranged on a beautifully decorated table with my favorite birthday cake, Karin had brought. I am so very grateful, Marcie again has done such a fine job and thought of everything. Every one was enjoying the food and drink, conversation and laughter. And as I observed, my thoughts came alive. I am so very blessed and rich to have all these wonderful friends. I am so very lucky and so very grateful! I should have never let these thoughts come to my heart and mind, that I would rather not be here any longer. Why?
I have such a warm feeling, full of joy, when I look at all these smiling faces who are here to celebrate my day with me.
And since I love every one of them, and I am so thankful to have them in my life, it came to me right there, that it would be lovely if I was allowed to stay a bit longer. Maybe another whole year?
What a special birthday celebration it was–all of Ilona’s most precious friends and family helped make this day special by contributing to the food and drinks and flowers and fun and by showing up for her special day.
Ilona is so loved…no surprise this 98-year-old lady is celebrated on her birthday and everyday!
Dearest Ilona, it warms my heart and makes my soul sing, to know that you feel that you could have another year (or two?), and all of your friends can enjoy your warm, wonderful friendship too. Thank you so much, for sharing this birthday party story, and your precious friendship, with me.
This comment is regarding Story 184, Ilona’s birthday party with her friends and neighbors, on June 1, 2025. I devoured the sweet treat of getting a glimpse into an evening at Forbes with Ilona and her thoughtful friends. This is the sweet spice of life, celebrating another milestone, and I think every year after 90 is a milestone!