"90"

Yesterday we celebrated my Mom's "90th" Birthday. If she is any indication of what being 90 is all about, it isn't going to be so bad. Mom loves conversation full of fashion, food and family. She dresses sharp everyday with matching jewelry, often Fifth Avenue. She loves her iPad and can manage her phone to talk or text. She lives with other seniors and enjoys their company. She has been a widow for 18 years; she has endured losing her home to fire and relocating to another town when she was 88 and a massive heart attack at 89.  Mom didn't want a public celebration, but it was a celebration none the less. It started the week before and I am sure we will cherish the memories forever. Nothing could have been more perfect than how we celebrated Mom.   

I had planned for 4 years to do this on Mom's special milestone birthday. I asked people to get involved in "90 Cards for Carole". That certainly made for a fun week of anticipating the mail drop-off. It is remarkable how many "90" cards that are out there to be purchased. What a mixture of cards, some were handmade, some were from total strangers, but every one of them was full of love and birthday wishes. My nephew's friend, Sherry Anderson, sent wishes and a team picture. My niece secured a video message from Brad Gushue. Mom got a special care written in Cree and a bundle of messages from the Arcola Daycare. The "90 Cards for Carole" was achieved and exceeded. Thank you to the Elliott family for the wonderful idea. 

There is a small bakery business in my Mom's community. We purchased some cookies from this talented young baker. Not only are they a work of art, but they tasted as good as they looked.  

Purple is the color for a 90 celebration. That worked great because mom's favorite color is also purple. We transformed the common area where mom lives, and it was wonderful to have a big open space all to ourselves.  

Mom chose turkey for her birthday meal. It was provided by "Tailgate", one of Mom's favorite places to eat. Taylor not only owns the business, but she is also Mom's great niece. We finished the night with birthday cake and memories. 

September 28, 1934, was a Friday. Once you turn 90 you are a nonagenarian, only 36% of Canadians reach this milestone. We couldn't be more blessed to have a Mom that is so independent and is living the 90-year-old life and loving it.