Bright balloons on fence posts tied up with coloured
string,
Perhaps should have been the first clues of what this
sunny day would bring,
Although I didn’t know as yet that they were all meant
for me,
Our summer holiday had just begun and I still had yet
to see
Just what my Earth Angels schemed and
planned,
It was to bring together so many special people to
to celebrate with me first hand.
I could not have foreseen what would happen next
as just the week before,
My new decade had been recognised with food
and wine galore!
Y’see I’d had an “official” birthday party at Drumgooland
road, Closkelt
Where my best friends and closest family had gathered
and I felt
Happy and proud to have around me folks that
I love the best,
It was a testament to how blessed I am and the rest
As my friend Jackie came all the way from home in
the Armagh town Richhill,
Although it had been years since we had seen her
She proved without doubt our friendship and loyalty still.
But I digress – and must just focus on the things I have
to tell you – about the event held on that day,
Well you can imagine, what a shock I got as we returned
to our Chalet
As there on the balcony beneath the pink bunting of butterflies,
A gazebo stood before my widened eyes
To protect us from the elements should the sunshine turn to
rain,
There were tables set with pretty cloths and the
butterflies again
I was truly rendered speechless, not a sight you often see
when I realised what they’d done for me,
The hours, days and weeks of planning in all I could
plainly see
As my eyes met first with John and Lisa’s, Nikki and Karen’s
– it quite suddenly occurred,
That this took so much work to organise and that no one had said
a word!
That the wool had been pulled completely o’er my eyes.
By one and all as it had been kept as just a wonderful
surprise!
Our friends Stephen and Jackie had made another trip,
But this time brought their families and never let it slip
When we were chatting at my parents house
that in just over seven days
We would meet again and celebrate, my longevity in the same way,
Then there was Patrick and Fionnuala and their family
of five,
Who had lately moved to Magheragall and so had also
quite a drive,
Though the prize for greatest distance – almost you could say
long haul
Went to Rev. Colin and Beth Mc Kibben who drove down
from Donegal!
Ian and Tracey came from Portavogie, armed with my gifts of scarves and something freshly baked,
One of three and all delicious, I mean of course my
birthday cake!
Although so unwell our facebook friend Sharon joined us for
an hour or two,
I was so touched that she came and I only hope she knew.
Frances and Damien came from Belfast and brought Karis
and young Max,
It was lovely to see all four of them and enjoy a bit
of craic!
While Vanessa and her boyfriend Rob arrived to join
the fray.
Johnny Mitchell was there with Cameron – our Minstrels
on that day,
With two guitars they entertained us all with rhythm, melody
and flair.
Two talented guys whose gift for the guitar caressed
the ear.
In conclusion tonight I regret I cannot recall the names of all there that weekend,
But for the few that I have mentioned and the many others,
I do want right now to send
My grateful thanks for being part and from my heart
and until my lifetime’s end,
I will never forget how much I was blessed and spoiled that day
by all my Earth Angels – both family AND friends
1 August 2013
Debbie Larmour - Storyteller 