A Few More Than Sixteen Candles

Our dear friend Nancy turned 100 a few weeks ago. Her daughter arranged for a lovely party at the local zoo that Nancy has generously supported through the years. She always has said she loves 4 legged creatures much more than 2.

We flew down to Burbank Saturday morning and flew back home Monday. Quite a whirlwind trip. 

Loads of longtime friends showed up to honor her and she was childlike in her delight at each face, many of them she had not seen in years.

Part of the celebration included a performance by the students of The Teaching Zoo of Moorpark College. The entire party moved into a lecture hall, Nancy and her daughter sat front and center. The student handlers and their animals came in one by one. We learned about several different animals, their habitat, unique characteristics and how they are worked into the zoo program. I was not aware that porcupines are rodents.

We were in a traditional lecture hall that rear seats loom high above the lecturer. The Boy Scout and I sat about 4 rows back. After the animals came and went about 50 people sang happy birthday to the birthday girl and they brought out the cake. It is my recommendation that 3 candles that say 100 are far safer than the 100 candled cake brought out. It became an absolute bonfire that melted the wax candles in about 15 seconds. Ah, well....live and learn. 

After the show was over, the song sang and appreciation for the students shown, most people left the lecture hall. Boy Scout and I lingered to watch the family try to take some pictures as they rarely get together. During that hustle, Nancy and her daughter remained in their seats, they turned to each other, almost nose to nose, big smiles on their faces, and they talked. Intimately, sweetly that sat and communed while everyone around them moved, yelled, laughed and called out to each other.

While I watched I felt this deep ache that stuck with me for awhile. That little girl inside me misses my mother still, after all these years, and longed for that special intimacy that I rarely feel with anyone else. I am grateful for that ache as I am well aware that many don't get to experience that when contemplating one or both their parents. It's a gift.

The party was a great success but, truthfully, I hope to not see my century mark hit. I'd like to check out on a higher note than that. Life is not easy for the friend of our hearts.