MY 16TH BIRTHDAY

12-22-08...MY 16TH BIRTHDAY

My Birthday is in August. A very hot and dry time in our area. The year I turned 16 I was struttin' high. Thought there was not anything I didn't know just a bit better than anyone else. I had lots of friends, mostly girls, (I was never popular with the boys except as a friend) I was happy and healthy. The blessings just flowed. I always had a birthday party at my home. It was always a grand affair for me. Mama and Daddy stayed in the house and we were outside where it was cooler after dark. We set up Brenda's phonograph on the porch. It only played the little 45s with a hole in the middle. Everyone brought their favorite Rock & Roll records. We danced the bop and just before time to go home we played SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME and couples danced before going home. Anyone remember that song?
This year when I started planning my party Mama said: Clydene your Daddy and I decided not to have a party for you this year. "WHAT! NO PARTY MAMA WHY"? Well Clydene we are having company that night. Seems a bunch of my Aunts uncles and cousins were coming for a visit. Well I stubbed up and just became a burr in everyones side. I just could not believe my Parents would do this to me. I tried everything right down to a hunger strike. Nothing worked. My 16th birthday was ruined. No way I'd ever get over this. Heck fire No! I'm mad!!
What made it worse was Brenda's attitude. Brenda and Ruth (my best friend at the time) just made fun of me. Clydene you are too old to act like that Ruth said. Yeaw Clydene and you are too old to have a birthday party, thats for kids. Well, The nerve of them all. They are sure gonna' be sorry, I vowed. I just might not be here next year. Then what'll they think, By golly I'll show them. (All talk of course. Course I would be there)
During the next week I got the star treatment from everybody. Well, If they think that makes me feel better then they've got another think comin'. I'm mad at all of them.
Brenda and Ruth took me to Sunnyslope Drive In and bought me a Hamburger and cherry coke. We sat in the car and the car hop brought it out. I'll have to admit I was beginning to feel better. Well, I was until Brenda whispered to the Car hop and Ruth got out and started going from car to car, sticking her head in, resulting in everyone staring at me. What's going on Brenda, Why are you whispering. Are you talking about me? I asked Ruth the same question when she came back to the car but they said they were not whispering. Shoot! Did they think I was stupid? Well I wasn't stupid. Everyone was out to get me even My Parents. Why? I felt lower than a snakes belly. Tomorrow was my Birthday and I was not coming out of my room all day. If Mama expected me to visit with all them old people she had another think comin'. NOPE!
The next evening about 5 pm the company all started arriving. I peeked out the window and watched them. Heck I did like to visit with most of them. BUT NO! I aint'a'gonna do it. No Way!! Why there is Brenda, and Ruth, and Betty,and on and on and on. What in heck is goin' on here. I've just about had enough of this and I'm goin' out there and tell em. Now Folks, I'm usually a little sharper than that but face it I had a rough week wallowin' in self pity, Gimme Me a Break OK?
Anyway I went charging out there to tell them all what for. Everyone was in the Kitchen. I went in there and everyone hollered, SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLYDENE!!! To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was flabbergasted! I burst out bawling as everyone started hugging me. I saw dozens of gifts laying there and a big cake. OH MY OH MY. Yep I was ashamed, almost too ashamed to enjoy my party. They said they knew they would have to get me poutin' so I'd stay outta' their way. Well it worked. I had a marvelous surprise. My friends were all there. We had our dance on the porch, danced the bop, and had a grand ol' time. I can't say it was my very best birthday but it was one of the best. It taught me not to judge people. Especially those I loved. What made me think any of them would do anything to hurt me. I've never had another surprise party again. No way they could now. I've learned to take things as they come. Always expect the best, and don't assume that what I think is always right. Trust your friends until they give you a reason not to, and even then give them the benefit of the doubt. I knew all those things, but sometimes we get off track and have to have guidance and lessons. YEP!