Our new grown-up-children-Christmas system is that our children visit their in-laws every alternate Christmas. This is fine because it means that they're with us in the in-between years, which are also when my brother and his family visit from the south of England.
This year, therefore, we'll be on our own for Christmas. This is deeply odd, since not long ago we had our kids, my parents, my aunt and uncle and often a visitor of theirs - up to 14 of us. But Mum and Dad and my uncle and aunt have all died. However, we weren't fretting about our solitary Christmas Day. Daughter 2 would be coming up for New Year and there would be a little family party then.
Many many years ago - nearly 40 (gosh) - Mr L and I got married. You will see, above, the order of service. Our Ruby Wedding is thus coming up on December 27. We considered having a party and then decided that we wouldn't bother. The children, after all, wouldn't be here; also various of our friends are widowed or divorced so - anyway, we just thought we'd have lunch out and then a lazy evening. We envisaged having a takeaway meal and watching a film on television. It would be fine.
Daughter 2 visited last weekend and she, Daughter 1 and Son-in-Law 1 went up town on Saturday afternoon while the little ones stayed at our house. We were happy to look after them and didn't particularly wonder why the young ones were going into town.
When the offspring returned, they presented us with an envelope containing this invitation:
They had been up town to inspect the room they'd booked for a dinner at the hotel where our wedding reception was held. All the family, their spouses and my brother and his family will be there as well as (bonus!) Son-in-Law 1's lovely parents, who were planning a visit anyway.
Look how Daughter 2 has copied the printing on the original invitations and order of service! The "r" is a bit of an "n", the "u" is an upside-down "n", the "b" is a mirror-image "d" and she just invented the "y".
Daughter 1 had previously sneaked into the guest room where our albums currently are and taken a picture of the order of service.
I am very gullible. I never suspect plots.
What a nice one, though!
You are very blessed to have such thoughtful children. That is a lovely surprise. Also, I read your blog every day and your grandson is the cutest little guy. He reminds me of my oldest son when he was little. He is now 33. Love to hear your interpretation of him talking. It brings back memories. Pat McDonald
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! Such thoughtful and loving children you have. I look forward to pictures of the day...
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done. The whole thing.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle, your children are simply reflecting the love you and Mr Life have given them throughout their lives so far, and you deserve this lovely surprise dinner. My best wishes and congratulations on 40 years of marital bliss ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great surprise! And the invite is superb... well done, all!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, that's Awesome Isabelle! I'm so excited for you and your family -- what thoughtful, wonderful children you have.
ReplyDeleteHaving the children be gone every other year is one of the really hard things about having them all grown up. I'm thinking, someday, when we find ourselves alone, perhaps we'll spend Christmas in the UK or something fun like that!
That's wonderful! Forty years, it goes by in a flash, we'll have our 50th in 2015 and we're working on a special trip to celebrate it.
ReplyDeleteYour children sound like very special people, it's obvious that you raised them well.
What a lovely surprise and what a lovely family you have.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely !
ReplyDeleteYou do seem to have such lovely children. You must have done something very right! (Not correct, that, is it? You know what I mean. Oh, the perils of commenting on the blogs of teachers!!)
ReplyDeleteyour children are so doggone sweet- you raised them up right, Isabelle!!!
ReplyDeletei know, i know - there i go, butchering the Queen's english - but you know that you love me anyway...
How lovely. You have a blessed and talented (creative) family.
ReplyDeleteOh what a lovely tangled web this turned out to be. I hope it is a very enjoyable evening and look forward to hearing about it. Lovely children indeed@!
ReplyDeleteAw, so nice! Looking forward to hearing all about it, and pictures to of course.
ReplyDelete