fifteen of us met in a parking lot
at the appointed time
boarded an unmarked rock ‘n roll party bus
equipped with a very patient driver
70-80’s style
disco lights, music, coolers, bevs, decor, ice
drove to our unsuspecting, just-retired friend’s house
got him on the bus and surprised him
then we were sixteen strong
drove him to detroit
to celebrate him
played games
had an axe throwing competition
(we were all unscathed)
followed by
a long delicious japanese dinner
rock ‘n roll bussed back
laughing singing dancing storytelling hugging
a day turned into a night to remember
he stood to speak
said he could not believe it
he was overflowing with joy and tears
he was so happy.
—
‘the chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished.’
-Kevin Kelly
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What fun!! Love the quote.
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we were so happy that he was so happy
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He must be a great guy to get such a treat. Well done to all involved in organising it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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it took a village but well worth it, a very good guy
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I love spontaneity…..
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yes, sometimes the best thing –
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what a great idea! who thought of that? and belated congrats to the nice birthday boy….
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it was his long awaited retirement that happened at last, and we had the bus so no one had to worry about driving or parking or getting there at the same time, and we could have the bus experience as part of the fun. his wife put it all together, and we were the happy co-conspirators)
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Wonderful 🎊🥳🥂
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How awesome
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it was so fun and we were so happy that he was so happy
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Awesome gesture. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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Your post made me think of the devotional I read Monday morning – the first day back to school after a wonderful spring break in Florida.
“A Danish study explored the phenomenon most of us have experienced: perceiving ourselves as younger than we really are. The findings suggest a constant—whatever our current age, we all see ourselves as 20 percent younger. A fifty-year-old tends to imagine herself (or himself) as forty years old.”
That is what keeps us going. Never get old, whatever that might be. Never stop moving and grooving.
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I love this and I have always seen myself as younger than my mirror does )
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Me too! That’s why it resonated with me. But you and I certainly had a treat of working with kiddos who were significantly younger than we were. We probably looked ancient to them, but we felt like little kids in front of the classroom.
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I think you’re right about that, it certainly helped to keep us young
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What a way to celebrate! I love it! 🥰
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it was great fun for alll of us
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This is beautiful and so fun. What a way to surprise and to fete someone. Well done!
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we were so happy that he was so happy!
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Hear, hear! I remain astonished almost hourly. I must be de-aging myself!
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same!!)
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That’s a day he will forever remember. Way to go, friend group!
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all good, lots of happy to go around !
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fun!
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very!
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You are a very lucky group of people!
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we did feel lucky –
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Man, that sounds like it was a total blast. And yes, we all need to stay astonished.
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it was the kind of day that he really loves
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Absolutely fabulous.
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it was great –
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Sounds phenomenally smashing!
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everyone had fun –
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🙌
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Love this celebration, Beth!!
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his kind of day –
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What a blast that must have been!
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it was just the kind of day he loves
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What a wonderful way to celebrate a friend’s retirement!!!
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lots of happiness on board
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Fantastic!!! 🥳
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“an axe throwing competition” Had to read that line twice. 😄 A wonderful share. Thank you!
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Yes, it’s a fun activity now in social settings believe it or not!
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I’d be willing to try! 🙋🏼♀️
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kind of like throwing darts, but using axes instead )
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😂
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Beth, what an incredible birthday gift. I am actually tearing up reading this and seeing that image. You gave your friend something that can’t be bought, only given from the hearts of loving friends. Thank you for sharing this joy.
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A day was planned full of things that he would enjoy, and he was just filled with joy, which made us so happy
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Oops, retirement, not birthday, gift.
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Novel idea… 😃
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It was no stress, all fun.
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What a great idea.
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we just picked things we know he likes so he could relax and enjoy )
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What a fabulous way to make him feel special and appreciated.
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we picked things that we knew he’d like and could just relax and enjoy them –
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A perfect party! What a great gift — for him and you all!
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just fun and relaxing for all and so much fun to see him so happy!
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That sounds absolutely incredible. What fun.
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they were all things that he enjoyed doing, so he was able to just relax and enjoy them
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Perfect.
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Oh that’s so fun and I agree with the quote about remaining astonished. Great post, Beth!
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thanks !
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an axe throwing competition! Is there really such a thing?? Linda xx
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yes, kind of like darts game, but with axes )
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Umm… ok. (the mind boggles!!!)
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This is a beautiful way to celebrate someone. I would love this too. Unexpected and fun.
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yes, all of that rolled into one )
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That sounds brilliant, need to see if London has something like that. I would have joined happily.
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we’d have loved to have you
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Such a great gift to your friend! And axes!! 🌞
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The day was filled with experiences that he enjoys
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That’s wonderful!
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He was so happy!
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A day all of you will never forget, such a great surprise Beth.
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It all went really well and he was very happy
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What a great day and gift, Beth!
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It was great fun!
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What a great way to celebrate a dear friend. Really wonderful!
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it turned out really well -)
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😀
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What a night making beautiful and wonderful memories Beth!
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❤️
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