Great Aunt Fay's 90th Birthday Party

Some of my first childhood memories were shaped by the adults that modeled excellent behavior. I have been very fortunate and blessed to have come from such a great family with great mannerisms and such longevity. I am very fortunate to still have my Great Aunt Fay living today. When I was a child growing up in San Diego, I was much closer to her. With distance and years gone by, we see her less and less. It has been over 10 years since I last got a chance to see her and talk to her. I felt very strongly that this may have been the last time I will ever see her. It was very hard day for me because in my mind, I knew that "hello" really meant "good-bye."

Great Aunt Fay and I

After this picture, Aunt Fay wouldn't do any more pictures. I think she had enough because she ran out to her car, didn't say "good-bye" to anyone, and drove away. I did not personally see her, but family members told me that she was crying pretty hard.

The theme of the birthday party was a peacock theme. This might sound a little odd, but to my family the peacock theme made perfect sense. Up a tall cement stairway on the hill in downtown San Diego, that's where Uncle Pat and Aunt Fay lived together. When you opened the door, there was Uncle Pat's chair that he sat in and greeted people, and to the left side there was a long couch for visitors to sit. Above the couch was a great big colorful peacock wall sculpture. Everyone used to stand back and admire their peacock wall hanging. A few years back, there was a partial house fire that burned various items, the colorful peacock wall hanging was one of the items ruined. It was a reminder of their life and marriage.

Pat and Fay Lowry had 59 years of marriage.

The Birthday Planner, Aunt Kathy Martinez

The gold necklace that Great Aunt Fay wears has a picture of the late Mr. Lowry. My Great Uncle Pat, who passed years ago, was married to Great Aunt Fay for 59 years. They were only a few months shy of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary when he passed. To some people 60 years of marriage is little unheard of, but back in the day it was more common. Uncle Pat and Aunt Fay had no children. It was not physically possible for them, but they had wonderful family with children all around them. They were very much loved.

When I saw Aunt Fay again, I couldn't help getting a little teary eyed. At 90 years old, she braved San Diego traffic and drove herself to Alpine. She brought her best friend with her. She wanted no gifts. She said that she was not going to say "good-bye" that she intended to just leave.

Here was the best part of the party. It still brings a little tear to my eyes.

I think this is most likely the birthday party of the year. I hope to be there to celebrate Great Aunt Fay's 100th birthday if she makes it that far. I really think she could because she drove to the party in San Diego traffic. Aunt Fay is very alert. Her sense of humor and love for life makes me believe that she could go another 10 years or more. It's been awhile since I posted, but that's because I have been on vacation to San Diego. Thanks for reading, and thank you for being so patient with me. I'm home now, and it's back to the grind. We will post more again soon.

Love,
Lissa