A Sing Along Life

Deb: Well, I cannot begin to tell you how glorious my parents 65th anniversary party was! But I will try.

After a lovely long hot summer here in Toronto, the weather predicted rain—thunderstorms and the like. True to the weather report, the heavens opened the night before with thunder and lightning and we woke up to pouring rain. So we made our peace with it and decided that it was going to be what it was going to be, and we let it go. But the anniversary gods were smiling because 20 minutes before the first doorbell rang, the clouds parted and the sun came out. The spirit of the day remained sunny inside and out. I was so proud for my parents as each one of approximately 120 guests came in through the door, loving them and paying tribute to their marriage and their indomitable spirit.

Their three grandchildren and my brother and I toasted Mom and Dad, and my friend Cheryl read beautiful poems she had written for them. The sing-along was just a joyful sound of willing voices, and we sang everything from “April Showers” to “High Hopes”. I wasn’t quite sure how it would be received, but I am telling you, it was so evocative of a time gone by for everyone there, especially my Mom’s family who spent every family dinner and gathering over the years doing sing-a-longs. The food was unbelievable and easy to eat, thanks to our dear friend Sandy, who catered the event and left no stone unturned in the planning. She considered my parents special likes and needs every step of the way, and made sure that they were catered to first and foremost, with them as paramount. And she topped it off with a layer slab cake that each guest signed with a coloured gel-frosting pen!

But it was what it meant to my Mom and Dad that will always stay with me. They were so thrilled to see their extended family and old and new friends come together. The feeling in the room was such a swell of love for these two people and I know that they felt that and took it all in. I think in a spiritual way, the day did more for them than every single pill in their blister packs.

Recently I have been taping my Mom and Dad talking about their lives, and it has been so wonderful to hear all of their stories and memories. As I asked each question they would answer immediately and sometimes differently. But when I asked them what has been, for them, the greatest thing about their time on earth, they both answered at the same time without even thinking: ”It’s the people.”

And it was, indeed, all about the people at this party. It was a celebration of present friends and absent friends. And as I looked around at each sweet face and snapped slews of happy pictures, Jim and Anne’s Anniversary Sing-a-Long Party, became one of those huge days in life that is endless in blessings.

Barbara: Aw, Deb, so so lovely! I am truly sorry we missed it, for I’ve been to a few of the events you’ve thrown for your parents over the years and they are always unique and special parties. I told you already, but I have to say again how much I love these photos! I love the character and feeling you've captured in every one.

As I mentioned last week, I was away in Montreal for the 25^th wedding anniversary of our very good friends. I am happy to report that our celebration—while not one of sing-alongs or Sandy’s cooking—was also a sweet reminder of great friends and wonderful memories and the special bond that comes from years of shared experience. And, while not Sandy’s, the food and drink were also extraordinary. It was just an unforgettable evening. And, what with our gastronomic anniversary dinner with my dad and stepmom, our delicious dinner at my mom’s with Michele, and several chances to see our daughter despite major scheduling overload, and despite the nerve-wracking and ongoing email snafus on my end, it was a truly wonderful weekend. Now back to reality!