Celebrating

The Heart of Celebrating

What comes to mind with the ringing suggestion, “Let’s celebrate!” Parties! Friends! Presents! Fun. Food. Time off from the demands of daily life. Oh yes, and for whom are we rejoicing, or for what achievement. Whatever. Good times are on the horizon. Who can resist?

The perception of good times differs with the person and the event. A child’s birthday party usually values presents, games and cake more than a sixty-year olds festivity. Good times to recognize thirty or forty years of marriage or a retirement may look forward to recalling stories of special events and missed people.

Whether the celebration takes the form of two people going out for dinner or family and/or friends coming together, they all show the reason for gathering is more important than the normal activities of the day. Religious holidays (celebrations) are so important that workers have time off with pay. Some people travel long distances to attend weddings, anniversaries, graduation or award ceremonies. Interrupting normal life for the benefit of a person is an uplifting action. Attending says a person is so important that I will change my normal plans. It’s like a friend spending hours and hours observing you to find out what you would really like for a present. Also it’s like friends or family that spends days organizing your special event. Those actions say you are really worth it. That is the heart of participating in a person’s celebration.

There are many celebrating events for people in my novel, Baggage burdens. In one case an event is invented to honor a person. But what happens if these special days are forgotten or just missed all together?

“Another special occasion?” asks Crystal, server at the Norseman Restaurant, as she greets Jill and Joseph. She’d served them when the Teemoskys joined Jill and Joseph for dinner six weeks ago.

“Today we’re celebrating our fourteenth wedding anniversary,” informs Jill, as they are lead to their usual table. “Our wedding date was two days ago.”

“What was it last time you were here?” asks Crystal. “I know you told me, but it didn’t stick.”

“Appreciation Day,” says Joseph.

“Oh yes,” recalls Crystal. As Jill hangs her coat on the hook by their table, Crystal adds, “And speaking of appreciation, I have to tell you I love your dress Mrs. Kreshky.”

“Thank you. Last time, Joseph said we were going to celebrate a special day, so I should buy a special dress. And I did. He likes it so much that he insisted I wear it tonight.”

“Would you turn around again so I could admire it?”

Without Daniel knowing it, Joseph watches his son struggle pulling the saddle off Hoss and dragging it to the sawhorse. Daniel carefully balances it, before grabbing a brush to groom the horse.

‘That’s it!’ Joseph remembers a saddle that Daniel has been admiring, one more his size, one Joseph said he could have when Daniel had his own horse. ‘That’ll be his birthday present! A trade.’ Joseph smiles. ‘A consolation for missing out on the party he dreams about.’

In many ways Daniel’s birthday party is a success. Three days before Daniel’s party Jill recovers. She wakes up early to make breakfast and lunch for Daniel. She is excited about the coming celebration. Joseph is relieved to see Jill’s lethargic behavior disappear.

Daniel is excited about his parent’s party too. It’s his second party. The first party took place at school. Daniel’s teacher discussed Daniel’s low spirits with Joseph. Joseph explained a family gathering was replacing Daniel’s usual birthday party. The teacher asked Joseph if he would mind if she organized a small surprise party for Daniel at school. She explained that she was already planning a celebration of the students’ achievements for their first reporting period. Adding a surprise birthday party for Daniel would give her a chance to talk to the rest of the class about their self-discipline. Could they keep Daniel’s birthday party a secret? Her plan worked. And Daniel’s close friends brought presents too.

haiku capsule:                 

for someone special

a party to applaud you

a celebration

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