The best birthday
By Leatrice Cooper
Don Schmitz & Grandkidsandme

As a child, birthdays were always one of the best days of the year. I vividly remember my seventh birthday when my sister Frances curled my hair in Shirley Temple curls. I wore a white sailor dress with blue stripes and three blue stars across the front. Now, I am a sixty-nine year old grandmother and I was about to celebrate my best birthday ever. 

It all began when Grandpa Sy and I drove through pouring rain at six-o'clock in the morning to my to son and daughter-in-law's home. The plan was to spend the day with my grandson Andrew at his school picnic. As soon as we arrived, my grandson Andrew greeted me with the biggest hug. He made me smile and feel warm all over. "Happy Birthday Grandma." He proceeded to give me another hug before pointing to the table. A tall vase of beautiful white gladiolas, bright orange and yellow tiger lilies, gold carnations and tiny pink forget-me-nots greeted me. Next to the flowers was a homemade sign with squiggly, worm-like letters that said, "Happy Birthday!" 

Soon Joey, my older grandson, came down the stairs and in a big loud voice said, "Good Morning Grandma, Happy Birthday! Can I give you a birthday hug?" 

We sat around, talked and had breakfast and soon were off to have lunch with Andrew and his first grade class. Andrew was proud of having his Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and big brother Joey join him at his school. During lunch the children all sang "Happy Birthday, Grandma Lee, cha-cha-cha!" The children's song was so special. I said, "Thank you, I'm having the best birthday of my whole life!" 

The rain canceled the outdoor picnic but alternative plan was to have a first grade carnival. We played all kinds of games; huckle-buckle bean stock, 7-up, beanbag toss wet cotton ball throw and in between had our face's painted. It was great fun for all.

That evening my daughter and son-in-law prepared a delicious steak and shrimp dinner. We joined hands for the blessing and Andrew said "God bless Grandma on her birthday, Joey on his almost birthday and Ellen and everyone in our family who have birthdays in the summertime." After dinner my grandson gave me a green Teletubby-keychain, they knew that lime green was my favorite color that year.

Then came the biggest surprise of all. I was sitting out on the deck. The boys and Pam had snuck into the house and decorated a cake with jellybeans and one candle on it. They sang "Happy Birthday" and I almost cried, I was so happy. 

We spent that night at my son's house and before bed Andrew said, "Grandma, you are the best grandma in the whole universe; I love you very much." I said, "I love you too…to infinity." That's our private code when something is really special. Before going to sleep, I reminisced about my very special day and knew I was the luckiest person in the entire world because I was surrounded by such true and innocent love. 

The final thought was, "Thank you God for this wonderful loving family."

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com