The casket was merely a wooden box. The flowers were discards from the florist. Arrangements had been made and the announcement placed in the paper; which was a bit unusual in and of itself. He had provided well for her; she could have very well provided an elaborate wake.
He had owned and operated a successful restaurant in their small town. Bill was well-known in the community and had held local government positions. He deserved the best. On the other hand, she had the hearse donated and since the restaurant was closed anyway, she decided to have the wake held in their establishment. She could save money that way, she surmised.
His son and son-in-law were standing in their dark suits waiting at the door. They were passing out slips of paper with his birth and the date of his passing. Friends and family had gathered, each passing by the closed wooden box paying his or her respects, each in his or her own individual way.
"Look at those flowers." Their snide remarks were overheard.
"Would you look at that casket?"
His own mother, in her seventies had arrived and was seated in one of the straight-backed chairs near the back; she had her instructions from her daughter-in-law. Others filed in and took a seat at one of the many tables in the main dining room. His wife was nowhere to be seen. The casket was closed so there was no way of knowing for sure what it contained. Those gathered could be overheard, "Where is Betty?"
The restaurant had been draped in black and food was spread out on the back tables. She thought since their friends would be gathered they might as well make a party of the occasion. But she had not arrived yet and the casket remained closed.
"Some people have a sick sense of humor."
"What would Bill think of this, if he could see the wake Betty has arranged?" Those in attendance could be heard questioning.
"Think he would be upset?"
"What ever possessed her to think of doing this?"
Most, who had come, had never seen anything like this before - held in a place of business as well. "Whatever possessed her?" There was anticipation as to what was going to happen next.
Suddenly the door opened and in they walked.
"SURPRISE!!!!"
Bill loved it!!! he was fifty, and I had planned the whole "Over the Hill" Party!
Cakes in various arrays of tombstones and other decrypted comic sayings and scenes awaited consumption by all the guests. He opened gag gifts all evening and glowed in the limelight.
Fourteen years have passed and he still speaks of that night and how I managed to have a temporary grave maker made with his name on it. He remembers how I told him we were going out to dinner that evening with friends and then the doorbell rang and there stood the undertaker. The hearse drove us up and around the town square and through the streets of the city. Then to his surprise he found himself in front of his own restaurant where a huge sign welcomed him to his own wake.
I'm glad I ignored those who were leery of how he might take such a party. I knew he would love it. We have cried together and laughed together as a couple over the forty-five years of our married life. That night he laughed and had the best time of his life. He still laughs when he thinks about all the fun we had.
Of all the things I have ever done for my husband, his 50th Over the Hill Birthday Party was by far a moment neither one of us will forget. Even the guests remember all the fun we enjoyed.
Many marriages would survive longer if partners would have more fun laughing their way through life. When looking for a husband - women, I would suggest a man with a sense of humor!
Betty King
Betty is an author, newspaper columnist, speaker and freelance writer. She is a contributing author to several Chicken Soup books the latest of which are Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul and Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul. Visit Betty's website at www.bettyking.net for more about her and her writings or email her at baking2@charter.net
