The Magic Age of Seventy Five Years Old
Between the end of January and the beginning of the April Ultimate Blog Challenge, I hit the big one. No not the lottery or casino jackpot but I hit the magic age of SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OLD on March 12th! How can that be when I don’t act nearly half my age. I’ve always said I grow old(er) but I don’t grow up and that I blame on my grands and great grand children.
My day started with Rich taking me to IHOP for a free triple stack of pancakes. Can you tell I love butter and syrup on my stack?
When Lia got home from school, her and Alex came over and we all went to Damon’s Steakhouse for my freebie dinner! I had prime rib, Rich had spare ribs, Alex had rib eye and Lia had cheese sticks and her favorite grilled cheese sandwich. There were enough spare ribs and potatoes left for two more meals! I also got a decorated cupcake but Lia had to sample that before I got a picture. Of course it at sprinkles!
Alex gave me a super fuzzy pair of slippers to wear while I inhaled a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts (not all at once though LOL) and a beautiful angel and heart bracelet. I love the heart card that Lia made me, her handmade gifts are so special because they come from her heart.
My daughter and son-in-law know me too well. I received a beautiful Angel statue and the most delicious Nutty Cone and Honey Toffee candy along with the most super softest flannel shirt.
Now my birthday lasts longer than a day, it goes on for over a week! I collected a variety of freebies from Chick-fil-a, Panera, McDonald’s, a Cookies and Cream cake from Publix and a delicious raspberry cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
I almost forget my Red Robin birthday freebie so we went there on the last day of the coupon, look at the size of this burger! But this was a double special as we had a gift card from Christmas so Rich got a free dinner also!
The next day our neighbor stopped over and surprised me with an ice cream cake. Since it was such a nice day, Judy and I sat outside and had delicious cake.
But the party’s still not over! The week after my birthday, Rich woke me up about 2:30am and said let’s go to the mountains. That’s our favorite sneak-away so off we went. We found a small stream with a waterfall off the beaten path and it was so peaceful to watch and listen to the water trickling over the rocks.
As we were just relaxing along the bank, the area became flooded with Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies and teeny tiny lavender butterflies. If you look in the shadow of the tree, you can see one. This area is as close to heaven on earth as you can get.
Of course our trip to Cherokee wouldn’t be complete without going to the casino. We get free comp rooms and I had my $20.00 birthday voucher so I couldn’t pass it up. We didn’t hit big but we had fun playing with their money. When I hit this one I had to cash it out. Rich and I met in ’65 and got married in ’67. The perfect way to end our day.
I had the best 75th birthday but I never realized at the time that this would be the last mountain trip together for Rich and I. I think that all the yellow butterflies were sending him a message. I will always remember the fun times we had on our “get up in the middle of the night” and just drive somewhere trips.
I am happy to hear you have had such a full, wonderful life even with its sorrows.
Thanks Amy, with life we take the good with the bad and we were always able to prevail. Now to see where my final chapter takes me and my family.
Belated happy birthday, Martha! I enjoyed reading this blog post and looking at the pictures. 🙂
Thanks Danwil, sometimes I wonder where the years went… 75!
What a wonderful birthday week you had, Martha, especially that you and Rich were able to sneak off to the mountains. <3
That was always our little “sneak away” place Kimberly. Rich loved the mountains so much and now he is on the highest mountain where he can watch over his loved ones.
What a lovely birthday, Martha! Well deserved.
Thanks Lily, I will remember this one forever.
Martha, you can feel the love coming off these photos. My heart goes out to you and your family for the lose of Rich. He was a wonderful and loving man. I am sure he is watching over your family. Most of all Lia, my love to you all.
Thank you Brenda, I never thought this would be that last birthday we would celebrate together. But yes, I know he is watching over us and guiding us along our new path. Hugs and love to you.
Martha, what beautiful memories. May they stay with you and sustain you lifelong. It is powerful that you came together with Rich and were parted from him on the two highest holy days of Christianity– if I recall correctly– you met on Christmas (birth of Christ, birth of your relationship) and he went to Heaven on Easter (Ascension of Christ, beginning of new life for you). I believe souls are completely eternal, and that you can look up and talk with Rich any time. Certainly I have chatted with or heard from my departed loved ones, many times. Love and hugs–
I feel like there is a message in our lives Kebba, meeting on Christmas and Rich being called home on Easter. Also our daughter was born on Christmas morning 1968, Christine Marie for Christ Mary. I’ve actually talked to many of my departed loved ones and just recently I was looking for something and I asked Rich where it was. He led me to it! I believe in these things.
I remember your birthday. It was just the other day! I I certainly didn’t think it would be the last time the two of you got to celebrate together. On the other hand I am glad you got these wonderful memories to hold on to. And the selfie of Rich and you! Precious!
I also never thought it was be the last time to celebrate anything with Rich. I do have so many memories Tamara, that’s what’s holding me together.
Many happy returns…
Thanks Priscilla, sometimes I still feel like a kid!
I’m glad you had a good birthday, Martha.
Thanks Amanda, another year under my belt!