There are many things I have been able to enjoy since turning 50 last year - none so much as the event last Saturday that has come to be known as "Galaganza" (and yes, we SHOULD trademark that name). I'm not sure that in these pages I will properly be able to express how wonderful and special my friends and family made me feel, but I'll give it my best shot.
To say that Mary, Patty, Patti, Jackie and Taryn got together to throw me a spectacular 50+ birthday party doesn't remotely begin to explain the creativity and effort that went into planning and executing this amazing (a word you'll hear a lot in this post) affair. You want details? A chartered NYC water taxi escorting 30 of us around Manhattan at sunset. Could the Statue of Liberty have been more awe-inspiring? The patriot in me, in all of us, was practically brought to tears thinking of our beloved country and those that gave their lives (like our Vinnie) for the freedoms we enjoy. My favorite munchies scattered around the boat - Jelly Bellies, Kit Kats, Peppermint Patties, M&M's. Atomic Fireballs, popcorn - with plenty left over for me to scarf throughout the rest of this month. Music that made me want to dance all night - and it wasn't easy on a boat that was rockin' and rollin' in the waves of the Hudson (but we all managed, and yes there are scary pictures of Lisa and I going crazy to "You Shook Me All Night Long"). An absolutely perfect "cake" created by my super-talented sister-in-law Ellen - stacked boxes of homemade half-moon (aka "black and whites") cookies that were the hit of the party. A collage of my best and worst photo moments (geez, was my hair really THAT big in the 80's? And why do we all look so damn YOUNG?). A loving and heartfelt tribute by Taryn, who hates public speaking, but got up in front of everyone and eloquently expressed the sentiments of the evening (all right, eloquent might be a little exaggerated, but it was so damn sweet!). And best of all - 30 (or so) of the most wonderful human beings on the planet sharing all of this splendor with me, both on the boat and afterwards at Chelsea Brewing Company.
Even the pre- and post- partying was amazing. Warren rented a limo that took 16 of us into the city and home afterwards. We sang (loudly), we danced in our seats (badly), we laughed, we sipped champagne and drank Coronas, we took funny pictures (umm, most of which will NOT be shared), we told stories, we got to know each other better, and mostly we savored this "here and now" opportunity to live, love and laugh.
This was a big deal (yes...bigger than Chelsea Clinton's wedding). This was my friends and family recognizing that reaching 50 (yeah, yeah I know I'm 51 but this just wasn't possible last year as we all know) was more than just a milestone for me, it was an achievement. The celebration of that achievement, the extraordinary effort put into making everything perfect (and it WAS PERFECT), the amazing way everybody made me feel has created a memory for me unlike any other in my life.
In the (soon-to-be) immortal words of my beautiful daughter - I had a lot of good!
Blessings and Love to All.
No comments:
Post a Comment