80th BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR AUNT MAE

Up early to prepare dishes to take to the luncheon planned for my Aunt that was hospitalized in September. She was allowed a 4 hour leave from the Rehab hospital in Jacksonville as she has progressed remarkably over the last few weeks. We arrived in Kingsland, but unsure of the location, we made a phone call and received directions. Unfortunately the directions were way off base and resulted in travelling about 4 miles further than needed. After another phone call, the directions were corrected and we arrived just before noon.
My aunt and her daughter (they were arriving from Jacksonville) arrived shortly after us. It was grand old time, my aunt as fiesty as ever and walking with a walker. That was new for her, but she is doing so much better. We were all happy to see her feeling more fit and with an appetite.
Everything ready, the food was spread out in a buffet style...and I was the first to help my plate with ham, roast pork, green beans, squash casserole, carrot souffle, deviled eggs and macaroni with cheese, sliced cucumbers and hot rolls. My aunt's daughter helped her mom's plate with some of everything and placed her at the head of the table. She wasted no time in diving in and tasting everything. Like me, she cleaned her plate and asked for dessert...a delicous chocolate pound cake.
After lunch we visited for a bit, but my aunt had begun to tire and it was time for her to return the the rehab hospital. We said our goodbyes (with hugs of course) and headed out for home.
All in all, it was an extremely good day. Two days later we were informed that she would be released from the hospital on October 15, 2004.

Photos of the day can be viewed here...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gblakesmith3/album?.dir=/71a4&.src=ph&.tok=pho8CYCBAryeLe7p