July 11, 2006 @ 18:15
Sunday July 9th marked my 50th birthday. I sit here and a look at that number and I can't believe it.
I honestly don't feel 50, but then again who really knows what 50 feels like. Age is just a number and to tell you the truth, I feel better now than I did five years ago when I was constantly battling back problems.
Age, when you get right down to it, is an attitude and I'd like to think I have the same attitude that I did twenty years ago. I don't feel any different.
Anyway, if there is anything that can keep you young it's with the company you keep, and that's another thing I love about my trailer.
Delyse and I have the greatest group of friends a couple could have - and Saturday night, as a celebration of my 50th, they went wild and made it a memorable one.
We thought our kids were taking us out for dinner. To the Old Bridge Inn in Youngs Point. Reservations were for eight o'clock, and we were running a little behind time when we jumped in the truck and headed out.
But we didn't get far. About seven trailers down, there was a bright orange pylon in the middle of the road. I thought it was odd, but then figured one of the kids might have put it there.
As I approached the pylon, someone stepped out from behind the Collins trailer - our good friends Brian and Karen Collins - the man who stepped out was the resident grandfather of the park, Doug Laird.
I rolled down the window and Doug asked if he could take my car keys.
"Why" I said.
"Because we offer valet parking here at the Lakeside Bistro" he said
It was at that point that Delyse and I noticed the red carpet and burning torches leading up to the Collins deck. And then we realized what as going on.
As a birthday present to me and Delyse.. her 50th was in May.. our friends decided to honour us with a gourmet meal.
As we got out of the truck and walked up the red carpet all our friends appeared, and it was a great feeling.
Mike Kimber was dressed as the maitre'de. Pam Kimber and Karen Collins were dressed as hostesses. And Brian Collins was dressed as the chef.
My daughter Melanie also acted has a hostess, and my son Danny instantly became the bartender.
We were escorted to the Collins screen room where there was a table set for two. It was absolutely beautiful - like any high end restaurant you've ever been to.
We were handed professional looking menus that featured several cocktails, and wines and beers.
The appetizer selection was seafood scallops, delicious breads and a wonderful curried mango salad.
The main course was unbelievable. Brian Collins had caught several pickerel and they were pan fried with a light dusting of flour. It's Brian's specialty, and it was absolutely outstanding.
We also had salmon and cold jerk chicken with sweet potato fries - and for dessert we had Karens famous sex in the pan and Irish Coffee.
While we ate, Erin Abrams played the acoustic guitar in the background. It truly was magical, a wonderful gift and very much appreciated.
But it wasn't over. After dinner we headed to the Tiki Bar to finish off the night. Everyone agreed to be there at midnight, for the official arrival of my birthday.
And once we got there, I got another surprise. My good friends Dan Duran and Bruce Mallory had been busy while we were eating. They had gone up to my place and totally wired the Tiki Bar with switches and outlets.
Not only that, but they had wired something to hang my golden shoes on (the bocce championship shoes) They hung from the Tiki Bar roof and slowly turned like a disco ball. And then they told me to flip another switch, and a spotlight pointed at the shoes. It was unbelievable.
And then the party really kicked in with my good buddy Darren manning the blender making all kinds of delicious drinks that make you feel like shit the next day.
I've got to be honest. I don't like surprise parties, and everybody I know was given strict instructions not to give us a surprise party.
This was a surprise, but it was the perfect surprise. We didn't have to walk into a room full of people… several we haven't seen for years… and go through all those awkward moments. The people who surprised us on Saturday night were the same people I had hung out with all day.
It was fantastic and really made us feel great. There's nothing like having fabulous friends and then having them acknowledge you with such a thoughtful, well planned and memorable event.
Several people played a part in the evening, including some I haven't mentioned.
Like Dan and Tracy, Gerry and Jen, Lisa and Lori, Glen and April, Pete and Sylvia, Darryl and Jen, Sandra and Jackie.
Thank you all…. Ya buggers.
Category: Friends
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