Last Friday, my dad celebrated his 90th birthday . . . and Tom and I threw a big birthday bash for him.

After my mom passed away (nearly 10 years ago now), my dad moved to Kalamazoo to live in the independent living “section” of a senior community. He adapted wonderfully to his new life in a new community . . . making friends, taking part in regular activities like poker, a Wii bowling league, cribbage, and – of course – BINGO. He loves his morning “coffee clatch” and regular dinner reservation with his buddies. Despite increasing mobility limitations (he uses a walker now), he is thriving in his environment.

So we invited the entire apartment community to celebrate his 90th birthday . . . with a simple cake-and-drinks party.

It was a BIG hit, and my dad loved it!
He said it was the best birthday party he’d ever had. (Although to my recollection, it is the only birthday party he’s ever had. At least since I was born.)

And, when it was all over, I realized there was a big lesson in here for me (and maybe you, too): THROW THE PARTY. Celebrate the moments of your peoples’s lives . . . while they’re alive to celebrate with you!

As I was pulling together the photo spreads and décor for the party, I reflected on doing the same for my mom’s memorial service. Her memorial service was a wonderful tribute to her — a big party that she would have LOVED. Which is what we set out to create. But . . . she wasn’t there, of course. She didn’t have a chance to revel in her friends’ love or her family’s presence or her favorite songs and hymns or Tom’s loving eulogy. I wished . . . I had thrown the party for her while she was still alive to enjoy it!

Of course, it’s not that simple. My mom would never have agreed to having a birthday party. Most of us . . . aren’t comfortable being the center of attention at a party or gathering. So we say no. (That would be me, for sure.) And what a shame that is! By saying no . . . we lose out on the reveling! (My dad said no, too, by the way. Initially. He didn’t want me to “go to any trouble.” But I convinced him. And he was thrilled.) (So there.)

And that’s my lesson: Celebrate your people while they’re alive. Milestone birthdays. Anniversaries. Retirements. Bon voyages. Welcome homes. Celebrate the big stuff. Or the little stuff. Let your people REVEL. Let them feel the love.

Just do it!

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Here’s a little photo gallery that will give you a sense of my dad’s celebration. I was too busy to take many photos, but I did manage a few. (And I gotta say . . . the banner featuring my dad’s face? Hard to photograph . . . but big hit!)