How to Celebrate An Anniversary??

[mrdreamjeans]

A conversation with my mother yesterday:

Neil: *cheerfully* ... "Happy Anniversary, Mom! 57 years and counting!"

Mom: "Thanks, Hon!"

Neil: "How are you and Dad going to celebrate?"

Mom: "We're not. We're going to wait for 60 to do something big."

Neil: " Don't you think you should celebrate each and every anniversary with gusto, given Dad's health issues?"

Mom: "Probably, but you know I don't like to eat out."

Neil: "Well, that's up to you."

Mom: "Besides, I'm not going anywhere tonight."

Neil: "Why not?"

Mom: "It's the finale for Dancing with the Stars!"

As it turns out, when I spoke with both of them later in the day, my dad had gone out and purchased a beautiful plant and had given it to mom. On the second phone call, Dad very proudly pointed out that he hadn't forgotten his anniversary. Given my Dad' s dementia, that's not a given. It was indeed an accomplishment! I'm not betting against them for 60!

Comments

[erstexman.livejournal.com]

The determination of people to outlive expectations is something to behold. My grandmother lived 4 years longer than her doctors gave her because she was determined to make it to their 70th anniversary - which she did. She made it, then passed away 4 days later. The aortic stenosis finally had taken its toll. It was a blessing and joy to be their for the anniversary celebration, but of course even knowing she was in very ill health, he passing was still rough for us all.

Thankfully, my grandpa is still kicking around t 96, but slowed somewhat this fall due to the pneumonia he suffered a few weeks ago. I am really looking forward to getting home to NC to see him at Christmas.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Have an absolutely wonderful holiday at home with all of the generations of your family. You sound like me when it comes to family. You understand that there's an end date for each of us and we never know when it is. We must live each and every day to the fullest.

HUGS!

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Very impressive!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks! My folks are one of those couples that's never looked at another person since they said, "i do." May you and your honey have your version of that longevity!

HUGS!

[icejohn2.livejournal.com]

It is sweet that your dad remembered the day! Good for him!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I was very proud of him!

[wiltedorange.livejournal.com]

What a lovely conversation!

It went so much better than the one my sister (and eventually with my parents) andn I had last year on the occasion of my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.

Sis: "Did you remember the anniv? I think it was the 40th"
Me: "Now you tell me this?! We'd better phone - it was two weeks ago wasn't it?"

Then later...

with the parents.

"Oh yes, we had a lovely time. Our adopted kids (i.e. the younger neighbours in my parents' condo complex back in M'sia) celebrated on our behalf. There was champagne. We didn't hear from you or your sister...."

That was a bad moment.