Susan turns 70 and throws a party

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February 21st, 2010

This is as good a time to celebrate as any

We spent the evening at Susan’s 70th birthday party on Saturday evening. It was a modest affair in the local church hall with 60 or 70 guests – and lots of good finger-food. Had we known about the food part we wouldn’t have eaten dinner; I can snack on smoked salmon for hours… Susan looked well and spent the evening chatting to her guests. She also gave a very emotional speech of thanks to everyone.

The economics of a Recession Party

Susan doesn’t have a bean to her name and I’m sure she took a Cash Advance to pay for the bash. The hall was probably free and there were no other expenses. The drinks were Coke and Sprite and the single bottle of scotch remained unopened. Plates were plastic in colors selected to match the paper table-cloths and napkins and the flatware was chromed plastic. Despite the obvious strict budget arrangements, the tables looked great. They were decorated with little vases of wild flowers and grasses picked from a nearby field and sprinkled with little silver plastic sea shells, candies and chocolates.

It must have been a challenge

When Susan decided to celebrate she must have thought everything out very carefully and built herself a tight budget. In circumstances like hers, a budget is a major part of her life. What’s more, she understands the strict discipline that’s necessary to stick to every cent of her budget. Extras and deviations don’t exist!

Susan

Susan is a widow – twice. Her first husband collapsed and died in his forties and left her with two teenaged children. The second husband, an older man, died when Susan was in her mid-fifties. Neither left her much and she has worked all her life. A few years ago she was laid off her job as a secretary and she ran around frantically seeking work. These days she works part-time at a school who hire her as a temp without any social welfare benefits.

The birthday gifts

One of Susan’s friends asked her if there was anything particular she preferred for a birthday present and Susan said she would prefer money as she had some expenses that she has to pay. The word was passed around, I was asked to do a small painting for a communal birthday card and the guests were asked to sign the card and drop their gifts in an envelope which was handed to Susan. I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the act of handing over a cash gift was handled – there was no embarrassment on either side and the guests seemed delighted to be able to help Susan. Susan thanked everyone for coming to help her celebrate this important milestone in her life and we went back to the food.

Good party

My wife and I rated this as a good party, truly modest and enjoyed by all. Happy birthday, Susan!

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Susan turns 70 and throws a party

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