Since it is Megan's day off today, I asked her if she'd like to attend the LL luncheon with me. The food is good, and the entertainment is good. And we can spend some time together on your day off/birthday. She thought, and decided it was worth while.
OK, now the birthday part. I went to Albertson's and ordered a birthday cake. I told the baker my daughter was going to kill me when I presented it at the luncheon, but what the hey! She's done it plenty times before. I'm tough.
I explained to the hostess for the luncheon today that I wanted to provide a birthday cake, but she misunderstood me, and thought if "we" serve a birthday cake to one person, then *everyone* will expect the same, and there are just too many members. She suggested *I* order a cake just for my table. OK, so I did.
A neighbor also goes to the luncheons and I got her into the conspiracy. I couldn't take Megan to the Temple dining room and bring the cake in, too, and keep it a surprise. And...it's too far from my home to make a double trip. So ML was delighted to help out. She brought the cake, sneaked it into the kitchen, then came and joined the rest of our friends at the table.
The program was fun. It was led by a (female) cantor, with a beautiful soprano voice, and we sang Chanukah songs. She also asked for childhood memories and family customs. Now, we're all in the senior citizen range (so there are plenty of long-term memories), and from various cultures (not all Jews do everything alike. Heaven forbid there should be only one way to do a thing!). Then at the end of the singing she said "I understand this is a special day. Someone has a birthday." At this point Megan didn't twig it, but when she saw the hostess bringing a cake with a lighted candle on in--toward our table, Megan looked at me with a gimlet eye and said "I'm gonna get you for this." Well, we all sang happy birthday, shared the cake with a few others at other tables. And I was grinning like crazy for pulling a successful surprise.
If Megan had any idea I was planning this, she wouldn't have gone with me.
Also Megan discovered that a gentleman at the luncheon also had a birthday today. So she claimed him as Big Brother. Couldn't call him Twin Brother, as he's my age.
All together, it was a great day! And I'm still amused at my cleverness.
Shalom