The Belle of the Ball

The Belle of the Ball

I felt like we three sisters were all Ladies-in-Waiting as we gathered at Mom's house on Saturday to see her off to her special evening, dinner and celebrating the 25th anniversary of her Sweet Adeline's Chorus. Mom is a charter member and honored guest.

(For the full story with photos or click here for just a few special pictures. )

I arrived first, early in the morning and surprised Mom in her PJ's. She rallied however and provided a fresh cup of coffee and a chocolate doughnut. I settled in and brought out my knitting as we talked over the coming event. This was going to be a day to remember!

Karan arrived shortly after. She eschewed the doughnuts but helped herself liberally to coffee. She is our organizer. After visiting awhile she began by putting together the outfit and helped select essential items mom was going to need in her new silver handbag. She also helped organize the silver bag of goodies Mom wanted to take. No last minute rush and forgetting anything. Mom brought out her special pins, photos and sparkly decorations that she had saved over the years that she sang with the Sweet Adeline's. She would share them with her longtime friends at the dinner. Karan volunteered to press the slacks early in the day. A little drama here, but Karan sorted it out quickly. I was still knitting and observing with interest the goings on....

Janet arrived later in the afternoon while Mom was dressing. She effectively took charge of her hair, pinning it all up neatly and spraying the heck out of it. She advised about the makeup and insisted she change her everyday mocha for on a beautiful shade of raspberry lipstick. The advice was spot on, the color was perfect and gave mom just the right look. I continued to knit, but commented occasionally and made suggestions.

Then I was asked to help select her jewelry. I could do that! We adjourned to the Jewelry box in the bedroom. The silver necklace Shelly picked out for her (and all of us sisters) encircled the last pendent my dad gave her and hung on a sparkly sterling chain was essential and something mom chose previously. We added a long silver rope lariat with a dove and rooted further in the jewelry box and found a lacy silver chain Janet had given her years ago. Perfection!

I then took lots and lots of pictures. Mom was stunning!

Janet and I drove her in her chariot to the ball and dropped her off at the door with good wishes for a fun evening. Her worries about being too dressed up vanished as she joined a host of other bedazzled chorus members entering the building.

Three hours later, at the bewitching hour, nine bells tolled as we drove back to pick her up in the frosty dark starry night. Well, as frosty as it gets in Florida in October when the temperature drops to the depths of 75 chilly degrees. I wished with all my heart I had brought my camera. I expected a droopy Cinderella to emerge, but not so! She and her best friend, Edie came skipping out, eyes sparkling wearing silver corsages and special pins. They were laughing together and dashing for the car with hopes we would drive Edie home.

Of course we would!

They clambered in and chattered like magpies, sparkling with fun as they related how wonderful the evening was. Edie was a vision in dazzling blue glamour. Mom and Edie were each topping the previous story and laughing all the way home. Not a word about being tired, sleepy or needing a pill. Vivacious and happy they related the evening to Janet and I in glorious detail.

When we arrived at Edie's home, on the way to the door she stopped and picked a fresh scented rose from her rose tree and gave it to me. The gift couldn't have been nicer.

A lovely evening ended just as happily as it began, the anticipation completely fulfilled. A rarity in this old world. A Day to Remember.

It will be a day and evening that my beautiful mother can look back on for years to come. I picked up my knitting after she was home and sleeping soundly, happily musing over the success of the day.