On July 13, 2012, my two daughters surprised me with a big box of wrapped gifts, informing me it was exactly 80 days until my 80th birthday and I would be able to unwrap one gift a day. The gift items would commemorate a year in my life in some way. This is what I received this week.
1989 – A small spoon commemorating the 1989 “Breakup of the Berlin Wall”.
1990 – A 1990 edition of The “Late Night with David Letterman” Book of Top Ten Lists.
1991 – Two copies of 1991 Queen City Heritage magazines – The Journal of the Cincinnati Historical Society
1992 – A Helen Steiner Rice Daily Devotional Calendar. Helen Steiner Rice is famous for her verses for Gibson Greeting Cards in Cincinnati. In 1992, my oldest daughter was a writer for Gibson Greetings.
1993 – A 1993 Cat’s Meow rendition of Aglamesis Bros. ice cream parlor (est. 1908), Oakley Square, Cincinnati. My future mother-in-law introduced me to Aglamesis in 1951 and said they had the best ice cream and chocolates in town, and she was right. We still take the grandchildren to Aglamesis Bros. for sundaes.
1994 – A 1994 edition of Dave Barry’s Gift Guide to End All Gift Guides. Dave Barry was always a favorite of mine and this is one of his books I’ve never read.
1995 – A crocheted piece from a vintage pattern that includes a locket heart with a picture of my youngest daughter and me on her wedding day in 1995. The small heart is made from a scrap piece of velvet from my oldest daughter’s Maid of Honor dress.
All of my posts on this wonderful celebration are listed in Family – My 80th Birthday in my index on the right hand side of the page.
LILLIAN'S CUPBOARD 
How wonderful… so many delightful surprises! What wonderful daughters you have!!!!!
How wonderful this week’s gifts are! Several reminded me of points of memory, as well. I haven’t been to Aglamesis Bros., and wish I’d known about it last April when I was there for the show. We’d have gone. But there’s the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale, AZ, only since 1958, but made famous in the Family Circus cartoons, whose artist lives in Scottsdale. It’s so great to have traditions like that. Next time I’m in Cinci, I’ll probably write and say, “What was the name of that ice cream place again?” =)
Such wonderful gifts, each one so very thoughtful. My mom adored anything written by Helen Steiner Rice. Mom always had a box full of her cards, just waiting for the right moment, to send one to a person in need of spiritual lifting.
As always, I love to see these posts every weekend! Your daughters are so thoughtful. I can’t even imagine how much time they put into these gifts!
Also! I can’t believe David Letterman ever looked like he does on that book cover! 22 years will change a person!
I just love reading your blog! Your recipes, stories, crafts, and everything else is so much fun to read. Thanks for taking the time.
That ice-cream parlour is so sweet! I remember regularly visiting one with my dad when I was younger but unfortunately it has gone now. I’m sure your grandchildren will always remember you taking them.
The heart is beautiful and very special.
Abigail x