A Special Day: Dawn’s Birthday Saga – Chapter 5
Dear Ann,
I was sad to see Narelle drive off, but time marches on & my friends, Ursula & Jean had not caught up with me for my birthday. It had been arranged for them to meet me at Micheles Patisserie at noon on Saturday.
I was pleased Jean was well enough to travel from her home, which is a little up country, to be able to celebrate with me as her health is not the best. Bless her heart she was already sitting in our corner seat where all the cushions are when I arrived. We had time for quite a chit chat before Ursula arrived, which was nice as I don’t see Jean much at all throughout the year because of her condition.
We nestled in together in what could be termed ‘Dawn’s Cosy Corner’ because, if it’s not Ursula, Jean & Dawn sitting there, it’s Cheryl, Sandra & Dawn. If it’s not Cheryl, Sandra & Dawn it’s Pat, Judy & Dawn! Between us we have celebrated more than a few birthdays there! I haven’t heard Micheles Patisserie complaining yet! Far from it, they are always at the ready with the cup cake & lighted candle.
I would have had to be blind not to see more kisses, hugs. birthday bags & loads of love coming my way again. Nevertheless I have broad shoulders & can take it all!
Seriously though, I am truly blessed to have so many friends. My Mum used to say you were blessed if you could count five really true friends on one hand, but you can see I have to use a second hand! I look back & bless the day I came to live at Lakelands, which is part of Warners Bay & where our much loved patisserie is along with Rachelle the owner & all her fabulous staff.
As a matter of fact I have been going there for so long that I know every single thing on the menu. Not only that I think I have tried it all! On the opposite side of the fence, the staff all know what I am about to order!!
One day I asked Lucy if they had my very favourite pink jelly cake. It didn’t surprise me when she said ‘no’ but what did surprise me was the quick follow up with, ‘But I will tell you what we do have & that’s a bacon & egg sandwich,” which she knew was my favourite sandwich. I couldn’t help thinking that was good salesmanship.
I remember many years ago Rachelle having an interview with our local paper that quoted Rachelle as saying she almost always knew what the patrons were going to order.
So, sitting in our cosy corner with Ursula & Jean, it came time for birthday surprises. Jean amazes me as to what she can think up as gifts for a little old lady who has all she needs.
88th birthday – Jean, Dawn &Ursula at Michele’s patisserie
Firstly came out a very beautiful Singapore Orchid, but this one was different to the others. I have seen it wasn’t a single orchid but a double one with such a pretty flower. It was delightful & in my favourite colour. Jean always selects gifts in my favourite colours.
It’s still a wee plant embedded in another cute wee little pot & I have it sitting on my windowsill in my little office at home where it will get the sunlight. I have been astute enough to watch what my friend, Sharon does with all of her orchids & how they love their environment, so I hope this beauty will develop like Sharon’s orchids do.
There was more to come from Jean. I opened up the most unusual kitchen towel with a pattern of scissors & needlework accessories on it. It was very different, with a cream coloured towel & black accessories.
I loved it & said how my Grand daughter, Charley would absolutely love the towel. My dear friend spontaneously answered to give it to her for Christmas & she would get me another one. Jean’s card was simple:
To Dear Dawn, Wishing you a wonderful celebration.
Happy birthday hoping it brings you joy & happiness & wishing you good Health & Happiness throughout the year,
Love & Blessings, Jean’.
Ursula’s birthday bag was then in front of me. This thoughtful lady had selected for me what I had noticed in a catalogue & was also intending to write & order it. The item was a pair of magnifying glasses to be worn over prescription glasses. As the saying goes: “just what the doctor ordered’ with my eyes deteriorating as they suddenly did (more on that at some other time).
This gift was not only what I wanted, but also what I needed & came with an eye pillow that you can place over your eyes to help you relax. The pillow is filled with lavender, which is helpful if sleep is trying to avoid you.
Along with this was some very pretty imitation lavender that looks very real. Of course, again my favourite colour which, no doubt, is why they were chosen. Ursula’s card could only have been written by Ursula, just her own words:
To a very special lady & a very special friend, best wishes for a joyful ‘DAWN’ birthday (your time of birth).
Wishing you dearest Dawn a most wonderful day & a fulfilling year ahead with many joyful experiences.
Your ‘Michele Partner’, Ursula.
Needless to say I had very loving, thoughtful friends with me on that Saturday to celebrate with.
I had to leave them & they had to leave me, but I needed to be home for David’s Saturday afternoon visit. I hadn’t seen him all week, but I scarcely do.
I have often thought of David’s love when I came out of hospital two years ago. I could never forget that first walk down to Micheles Patisserie after some months away.
I had only been out of hospital for a few days & feeling very weak. David held my arm as we walked ever so slowly & carefully towards the Patisserie where Rachelle & Mother, Sue, were watching & smiling to welcome me from behind the counter.
It doesn’t sound much but it was a surreal time. There was no doubt as to David’s loving care & for weeks afterwards he would collect me every Wednesday to go to Micheles where we would have lunch & do the crossword puzzle in the local paper together.
For me it was very special togetherness during a time in my life when I was not the strong person I had always been. So I couldn’t be late for our Saturday afternoon teté a tete, which I so very much looked forward to.
So I was home snatching a quick ‘shut eye’ when David came in all smiling & very pleased with himself. The reason? He had s birthday parcel in his hand & he was so happy that I had given him no cause to stress over what I needed for my birthday.
He was able to walk into the appropriate store, buy his Mum a much needed phone that supplied the necessary message bank. The previous Saturday when I asked him to purchase a new phone for me I hadn’t a thought about my birthday, but he knew what he was getting his Mum for her birthday & it really was a surprise. And I was more than delighted to have a good phone again & installed for me complete with message bank!
His birthday card must have been a special one as my brother, Leon had also sent me the same card to say:
There is no better time than your birthday to wish you all life’s very best not just for today but always.
Hope you have a wonderful day’.
Then in his own words David must have been thinking of my market activities as he said:
Happy 88th birthday,
What achievements ‘Go Girl Go’
Love from David, Lauren, Charley & Riley’.
I have been dying to tell you all about this 2017 birthday of mine, Ann & chapter 6 is on its way!
My love always. Dawn X O X O