GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...
Earlier this week, when we took the dogs for a romp at the doggie-park, there was a small notice, pinned up at the entrance to the park. It read:
"Please join me on 7th September, at 4.30pm, in the park to celebrate
my 80th birthday...
...Brian"
Neither Lorraine, nor I knew who this "Brian" was, but everyone we bumped into along our walk was chatting very enthusiastically about the prospective 'birthday party'.
There was a sense of building communal excitement.
It sounded a most intriguing open invitation.
So at 4.30 today, (just before sunset), I loaded up Aunt Tam and my Sweet Hooligan into my car. I also grabbed the small gift I'd wrapped for "Brian" and then headed for the party.
Most of the people who had gathered under the trees, were effectively strangers, but the ambience held great festivity...
What a great occasion!
...effectively an open-invitation to all doggie-walkers!
Doesn't it just ooze with generosity and goodwill?!
The birthday boy and our host - Brian - had brought along an array of drinks and snacks for his guests. It was an extremely generous gesture and pulled in quite a crowd of doggie-people. There were happy conversations everywhere, and the numerous dogs took full advantage of the opportunity to romp and play together too.
How refreshing it is to see that the generous, long-forgotten hospitality of a bygone era is still very much alive.
And what a positive example 'Brian' is to all of us.
He truly is a remarkable, fit 80-year-old gentlemen, and is the epitome of longevity.
Thank you, Brian, for your generosity and your hospitality!
Thank you for inviting us all to share in your special day.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
I wish you many, many more happy years of health and happiness!
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sending lotsaluv
"Please join me on 7th September, at 4.30pm, in the park to celebrate
my 80th birthday...
...Brian"
Neither Lorraine, nor I knew who this "Brian" was, but everyone we bumped into along our walk was chatting very enthusiastically about the prospective 'birthday party'.
It sounded a most intriguing open invitation.
So at 4.30 today, (just before sunset), I loaded up Aunt Tam and my Sweet Hooligan into my car. I also grabbed the small gift I'd wrapped for "Brian" and then headed for the party.
What a great occasion!
...effectively an open-invitation to all doggie-walkers!
Doesn't it just ooze with generosity and goodwill?!
The birthday boy and our host - Brian - had brought along an array of drinks and snacks for his guests. It was an extremely generous gesture and pulled in quite a crowd of doggie-people. There were happy conversations everywhere, and the numerous dogs took full advantage of the opportunity to romp and play together too.
How refreshing it is to see that the generous, long-forgotten hospitality of a bygone era is still very much alive.
And what a positive example 'Brian' is to all of us.
He truly is a remarkable, fit 80-year-old gentlemen, and is the epitome of longevity.
Thank you for inviting us all to share in your special day.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
I wish you many, many more happy years of health and happiness!
It was an absolute pleasure to meet you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sending lotsaluv
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15 comments:
What a wonderful thing! That is a great idea for getting together. I'm so glad you went. It's good to be reminded that there are people in the world that are genuinely nice.
Hello Everybuddy. That is just the lovliest birthday party. What a terrific idea of Brians. Looks like people and doggies alike had a great time. No worries, and love, Stella
Happy Birthday Brian from Auckland, New Zealand if you are reading this (and if you are not using the internet then I'm sure Maxmom will print out a copy of her words, photos and every ones comments to give to you the next time she sees you).
Your party in the dog park was such a wonderful way to celebrate your 80th birthday, surrounded by happy dogs and smiling faces and some new friends.
Sending you lots of woofs and many happy returns,
Riley, Enzo and thier human
Oh what fine party. We like the sound of your Brian. Bertie and I have a 'park friend' called Brian, a retired gentleman whom we see every morning exercising his soft hearted German shepherd Heidi. Brian always has a spare dog biscuit in his pocket for Bertie.
There is a fairly large group of people who walk their dogs in my local park who I regularly see and recognise, but I only know the names of their dogs. I guess that this is inevitable until we figure out how to train our dogs to talk back!
Cheers, Gail.
Dat is too cool! What an awesome way to celebrate ANY birthday!!!
AROOOF!
Boondocks and The Love Shack Pack
MaxMom,
What a wunderful time all of you had!
Happy 80th to your new furiend Brian.
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
This is the reason why we love dog parks - fantastic people and community spirit!
Sam and Pippen
What a wonderful idea! And Happy Birthday to Brian!! What an interesting invitation. Nice to see such sweetness does exist. :)
This put a huge smile on my face. What an amazing man, with what seems like such a positive outlook in life.
Thank you for posting this! It's wonderful to know there are still people like this around.
Hi Maxmom, looks like it was a great success, particularly since no really knew anyone else prior to the event.
Wow that was like the nicest and greatest Birthday invatation and celebration EVER!
woos, Tessa
Happee Happee Birthday
Benny & Lily
I love that you went to a complete stranger's birthday party!
A friend told me she used to crash weddings and birthday parties and stuff all the time. But I didn't get the feeling that you were crashing Brian's birthday at all since it was an open invitation.
Happy Birthday, Brian!
Happy Birthday Max, I hope you had a lots of fun celebrating your Birthday with your beloved family!
wishing you more bdays to come and good health!
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Carol, you just made my morning. All too often it's easy to forget that there are good people in this world who are somehow able––through their kindness and open-heart––to help foster a sense of community and good will. You are lucky to have such a person near you. Thank you for sharing!
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