Turning Fifty

Tara Miller

Eng 121

9/12/05

Turning Fifty

It was a beautiful summer day, the birds were singing their sweet songs and the sun was shining brightly illuminating everything it touched. I was sixteen the summer of '97, and my aunt was turning fifty. My family had flown in from New Jersey for the happy occasion; aunts, uncles, and children of all age and size were gathered in the living room of my aunt's beautiful and spacious house. This event had the makings of a truly special day, family, friends and good times.

The first part of the day was spent making preparations for my aunt's arrival. We hung black streamers, banners that said "half way to the grave" and black balloons were placed all over the house. The cake had black icing and a candle that was shaped like a gravestone that said "over the hill". Her son, Brian, had planned the surprise party with the help of the whole family. He was as excited as a child on Christmas morning. As we were waiting, there was a feeling of electricity in the air. Finally the time came when my aunt's boyfriend called to say they would be pulling in to the driveway shortly. Everyone ran to the top of the stairs where we waited silently, not a sound could be heard, even the kids knew to be quiet. My aunt had the perfect house for this type of gathering; the living room was at the top of the stairs, above the doorway so everyone could see the look on my aunt's face when she walked in.

Brian had his camcorder ready and caught the look of shock, excitement and disbelief that overcame her. I have never seen such conflicting emotions on one person's face as I did at that moment. Then all hell broke loose, people screaming with delight and hugging so tightly your body throbbed for days. My aunt ran around trying to hug everyone in sight. She looked crazy as if she had just been released from an asylum, she was crying, laughing and talking a mile a minute. Then the fun began, the sound of laughter was like music being played softly by the wind. Everyone was gliding in and out of the house as if they were skating on ice. I spent the evening on the back patio in quiet observation. The children could be seen playing in the backyard. The big kids chased the smaller ones in a game of tag, which didn't last very long because