So Wednesday morning I slept in - a rarity in my life - until 8:30am! Irene made me sausages, eggs and toast and we enjoyed that together, in our hotel suite.
Received a call from Tisha, Scott and their children singing Happy Birthday to me while I was still in my pyjamas. Then it was getting ready so we could leave to get a present from my children.
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| Talking with the Elford Family |
Seems Renee had worked with all of our children and in-laws to send in things they appreciate or love me for. Off we went to M&T Insta Print on Bradley Avenue, which is where almost all of my early days business printing was done.
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| A priceless gift from my children and in-law children |
From there we drove down to Stobie's Pizzeria at Dufferin and Richmond Streets. Irene was excited to tell the staff it was my birthday and the one gal there said if you can prove it's your birthday with identification the pizza slice was free. That's what we did!
We had hoped to eat in Victoria Park but it was so cold we ate in the car. Mom brought some cream soda to drink with our lunch.
Then it was birthday cake hunting. I am not a big one for cake and often have some kind of pie. But we had to go to Toronto for a meeting I had on the 14th. What could we bring with us to go to the hotel?
Irene had planned for us to go to Angelo's Bakery and Delicatessen on Wonderland Road north of Oxford. Mom picked up a chocolate swirl cheesecake and I had Sfoglia Square which is like flakey pastry with layers of custard cream and icing sugar on top. So good! But I wouldn't know that until the evening.
En route to Toronto we knew we wanted to eat dinner in Ancaster so we didn't have to deal with downtown trying to find something amidst the more upscale restaurants. But the traffic was so smooth sailing we got their earlier than expected.
That's when I saw a Ciniplex Odeon movie theatre and and suggested Irene and I watch a movie. The only movies showing in the next few minutes were both 3-D and Mom's vertigo doesn't handle that well. Mom encouraged me to go and enjoy myself on my birthday. Off I went with 3-D glasses on and enjoyed watching - "Avengers: The Age of Ultron".
In the parking lot after the movie I heard from Camille wishing me a happy birthday.
Kelsey's restaurant was right next door so we went there and shared a meal together as portions are just so large for one person. And we still had dessert coming :)
Arrived at One King West hotel at...you guessed it..1 King West Street in downtown Toronto.
While registering with the female front desk clerk the Gilpins called me on my cell phone. I had to quickly explain my grandchildren were singing Happy Birthday to me - with a few "cha! cha! chas!" thrown in for good measure. She was so moved that she upgraded our room and gave us free internet. Thanks kids!
Up in our lovely hotel suite and enjoying our birthday goodies - with candles in of course (one each!!) - I received calls from the Saundersons in Port Moody, BC and the Saundersons in Ottawa, Ontario with their own special renditions of "Happy Birthday".
I know leading up to my birthday that family members and friends have made a big deal out of turning 60 years of age.
For me it has been simply a reflection of gratitude for all I have been able to do and knowing full well there is still more to contribute to the lives of many more people.
"Old" does not equate with 60 for me.
I am so very thankful for all Irene did to make this day a very special day for me. We had a lot of fun together.
Thanks also to my children and grandchildren for adding to our singing greetings tradition and for the priceless gift they gave me.
