The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the

charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

-- Marcel Proust

I looked for a long time for just the right birthday card for my

Great-Aunt Mary Ann. Actually, I never found the perfect one. I read card

after card but couldn’t find one that captured the essence of this lovely

lady.

I looked in the “Special Titles and Milestones” section but couldn’t

find anything to celebrate someone’s 90th birthday. Even if I had, it

probably would have said something about being 90 years old, but my

Great-Aunt Mary Ann seems 90 years young to me.

I finally found a card with a message about God making her extra

special and bought a little wooden praying angel to go with it, because

she has faithfully prayed for so many people for longer than I can

imagine.

At least 50 family members of all ages celebrated Great-Aunt Mary

Ann’s 90th birthday on Sunday, a major birthday for a wonderful woman who

has played a major role in so many lives for so many decades.

“I’m the oldest person I know, Cindy dear,” Great-Aunt Mary Ann said

to me, lovingly patting my hand. “I don’t know how I got to be 90 years

old, but here I am.”

“God knows how special you are to all of us here,” I said. “You are

an inspiration, and you have lived such a full and wonderful life. Many

people would ask you what your secret is.”

“I’m not sure how to answer that, but I’ve always loved God and I have

surely been blessed with loving family; just look around this room,” she

answered as she gazed around a happy house filled with an adoring

audience.

All the people gathered in my cousin Toria’s beautiful home shared

love and appreciation for this vibrant woman. It was fascinating to see

the family resemblance spread across the fruitful family tree and fun to

hear family stories and adventures.

My cousin Susan stood to toast her incredible mother, who was born the

day the Titanic sank. She affirmed her mom for her many remarkable roles,

not only in all the immediate and extended family, but also as friend,

neighbor and mentor.

Then Great-Aunt Mary Ann stood and toasted everybody in return. She

looked stunning, wearing a gold dress with gold shoes, which matched her

heart of gold. There almost seemed to be a golden glow around her. She

thanked everybody there and commented on how much God has blessed her and

prayed the same for everyone there.

As I looked around the room, I saw many magnificent floral

arrangements. It was fitting to have so many beautiful bouquets to honor

someone of such beauty and grace. Somehow Great-Aunt Mary Ann has always

known how to plant seeds of love, watering them with joy and

encouragement.

For those of us who have someone who has had such a positive effect on

our lives, let’s take the time to thank them. For all of us, I pray that

we can find ways to plant seeds of love in the lives of those around us.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.