Through LAMP (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots), Genie and I taught Vacation Bible School at remote fly-in villages of Northern Ontario, Canada for about 25 years. One of their beliefs was one’s birthday should be celebrated for a week. The weeklong birthday celebration could begin with your birthday, end with your birthday, or have your birthday any day in the weeklong celebration.
Genie has adopted the weeklong celebration, including the belief that if there is a full moon that week, your higher power will grant an unexpected surprise.
I had decided to have a weeklong birthday celebration around my Jan. 23 birthday. Following are the birthday week events:
Thursday, Jan. 17: I attended the Hospital Auxiliary Luncheon at Bayview in Albert Lea (I was honored in the Star Eagle for my upcoming birthday).
Friday, Jan. 18: All my plans for the afternoon and evening were cancelled due to a blizzard that brought 11 inches of snow. (I did manage to get a fish sandwich from Arby’s at noon for Genie and I.)
Saturday, Jan. 19: I was shoveling snow my usual way of 10 minutes on and 30 minutes off. A white pickup pulled alongside and the driver asked me if I planned on doing the rest of the driveway (I was about halfway done). I replied, “Yes.”
He said, “I’m bored, let me finish,” as he backed a snow blower out of the pickup and finished the job. I was pleasantly surprised and did find out his last name was Sigurdson.
Sunday, Jan. 20: I was honored at the coffee hour after the service at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church with a birthday cake shared with Levi Griggs and O. C. Johnson. A full moon with lots of stars after 9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 21: Genie and I enjoyed a great evening meal at Perkins in Albert Lea (the best part was the free pie on Mondays). We had just finished our meal when a young family arose from their table. He went to pay the bill while the mom and daughter came to our table. The daughter was a little bashful as she told me thanks for my service as I was wearing my Korea vet cap. She told me she was four years old and was from Clarks Grove. I didn’t get her name, but that was secondary, as this old veteran got a lump in his throat (her deed was most appreciated).
There were three ladies of the white hair vintage enjoying their meal two tables away from Genie and I. We enjoyed their laughter.
Tuesday, Jan. 22: Rain in the morning causing very slippery roads with high winds. Genie braved it and brought home a fish sandwich for each of us from Arby’s after buying groceries.
Wednesday, Jan. 23: My big day! (This was the third time I’ve celebrated being an Octogenarian.) We went to the Old Mill Restaurant in Austin—great setting, good meal, good service. (Jessica was our server, she even attached a little red heart to our guest check. Thanks Jessica.)
Remember when I mentioned that if there is a full moon during your weeklong birthday celebration, you will receive an unexpected surprise? Well, it happened: my name was drawn for the free birthday meal at Trumble’s!
P.S. Where we taught Vacation Bible School was where the ice road truckers deliver in the winter.
P.P.S. I wonder if Orville (O. C.) Johnson is a believer in the weeklong birthday celebration and an unexpected surprise if there is a full moon during the weeklong celebration. (His birthday was Jan. 24 and his surprise was being the birthday name drawn at Trumble’s for a free meal.)