A year ago at this time my family celebrated my mom’s 80th birthday, which was May 11.
We pulled out all the stops and had a day-long party concluding with Mom serving cake to 34 of her favorite descendants.
This year, we will not celebrate Mom’s 81st birthday on earth but will rejoice that she is celebrating her first birthday in heaven.
A few weeks back, I announced an April date for the next “Marlene and Darlene” annual fundraiser for the Generations in Luverne (formerly Luverne Senior Citizens.)
Well, I was wrong and the date has changed to May 11 – Mom’s birthday.
Last year, for the Marlene and Darlene skit, Mom sat near the front with other family members. She said she laughed so hard she cried.
She won’t sit with the family this year, but I hope she can see us and I hope she laughs so hard she cries. (I know there are no tears in heaven, but perhaps tears from laughter are allowed.)
Like most people who pass away suddenly, Mom had a lot of unfinished projects – including quilts. Lots of quilts.
The quilting crew at Generations offered to finish one of Mom’s quilts for the fundraiser raffle. (It’s beautiful and will be raffled along with one of George Bonnema’s famous carrot cakes, a beef bundle, a pork bundle, lawn care, car washes and book store gift cards.)
I think Mom, who was a shy person, would be a bit shocked to learn that one of her quilts will be raffled at a public event.
Perhaps it is because Mom was shy that I am not. Her art was quilting.
My art is writing and performing in skits about ridiculous old ladies who are “only trying to help.”
It will be fun to combine talents with her at Generations for this year’s fundraiser – her quilt and my skit “appearing together for one night only.”
Auctioneer Yvette VanDerBrink and actress DJ Luethje will also join the effort to raise money for special programs at Generations.
I hope you can join us May 11 for dessert, a raffle, an auction and a skit called “Piece of Cake.”
Mom’s piece will have one candle.