Shortly before Jackson’s mother turned 80, he and his brother Sam were having dinner at her house. Sam asked her what she wanted for her 80th birthday. Their mother got a funny little smile on her face and said, “a hot air balloon ride and a very big cake with layers … like a wedding cake.” Jackson nearly choked on his salmon cake. He hated salmon cakes, but one really couldn’t complain when an ancient mother was still fixing him dinners on her 1940’s era stove. A balloon ride! He had been wondering if she was losing her marbles. There had been a few odd slips recently, like when she asked him three times in the same conversation if his job was going well. He put down his fork and took a deep breath. “Mom,” he started, intending a nice reasonable conversation about better birthday options, but Sam cut him off. “That sounds fab, mom,” said Sam. “But,” started Jackson, and again Sam cut him off. “We’ll get right on that.” Their mother murmured something about the layers of the cake being different flavors so everyone has a kind of cake they like, and started washing up even though they were not finished eating.
A couple days Jackson summoned a meeting of all the siblings to his house, so they could discuss this reasonably. All six of them, plus a few spouses sat around his carefully cleared off dining room table. It was surprising that they had all showed up. Jackson began by proposing that they do her birthday at his house. It could be in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner. Several people could bake cakes so that there would be a variety. And, as for a present, Jackson suggested a nice framed photograph of the entire clan. It seemed that everyone was going to agree with this reasonable plan. There was shaking of heads at the extravagant and probably impossible request she had made. But then Sam stood up. He actually stood up. He addressed them all angrily. “You know that is not what she wants. We’re going to do exactly what she wants. I mean really. How many times has she asked for anything specific?” No one could remember a time. “I’ll deal with the balloon. I’m counting on you guys to do a cake. Go to that wedding lady on Maple Street. And get a big one. I checked. They’re about $300, so fork up $60 and I don’t want to hear another word.” And with that he stormed out. The remaining siblings looked at each other in amazement. Sam was the happy go lucky ne’er do well. He didn’t give orders. He had to be kidding. Sixty dollars?
Sam arranged for a hot air balloon outfit to travel 200 miles to where they lived on the actual day of their mother’s birthday. Thousands of dollars were involved, and then more to get the required municipal permissions. But on the day of the 80th birthday, the entire family, including all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus a huge number of friends and aunts and cousins, all showed up at dawn to see the old lady ride in a balloon. Dawn was apparently the best time to take off. Sam had arranged for permission to use the public park pavilion before hours. Their mother rode up and they all cheered except for a two year old who started sobbing when the hissing basket lifted into the air carrying his granny who knew where. After several hours, the balloon landed and a van brought granny and balloon back to the park where an enormous cake awaited. One layer was chocolate, another lemon, another vanilla and a tiny one raspberry. It was decorated with hot air balloons done icing. No one had ever seen such a beautiful cake and the birthday girl (old lady) actually cried for joy. About the balloon ride, she would just say that they were all so small.
Jackson’s mother died a few days later. The opinion in the family remained very mixed. Some felt that it was fabulous she had gotten what she wanted before dying, but a large contingent felt that the whole balloon thing had been a complete and utter waste of money that could have been used in so many needed ways. There were even those who felt that the event had caused the old lady’s death. Jackson didn’t know what he thought. But he had to admit that his mother had beamed like a little girl. And that the cake had been delicious.
The framing of your photo makes it look like we are looking through a window.
Well done with the photo and the story is so heart-warming. So happy for Mom - she got two things checked off her bucket list!
Good on Sam! A friend of hours recently turned 90 and had never flown in her life. Her family bought her a helicopter ride over Paimpont Forest and her house - she's still talking about it... not dead yet!
Well done with the photo and the story is so heart-warming. So happy for Mom - she got two things checked off her bucket list!