Grandma’s 102 Birthday: When Laughter Fell on the Cake

It was a sunny morning in a small town and everybody in the house at the end of Maple Street was in a flutter. It was a very big day to-day. The eldest member of the family is Grandma Evelyn who was turning 102 years old. She had been through numerous years, she had witnessed a lot of changes and she had a lot of stories in her heart. Her creased hands had a history to speak to, her smile had a welcome to it, and her laugh was music that made the rest of us laugh.

The dining room was covered with balloons, ribbons and flowers by the family. There was a great cake on the table. It was chocolate, Evelyn loved, creamy icing and colorful sprinkles. Three candles, in the form of figures, 1, 0, 2, were on top of the cake. They were all aglow awaiting her to blow them out.

Grandma Evelyn was tiny and skinny and she had silver hair rolled in a bun. Her eyes were soft blue, and though she was old, they were star-like. She had on a plain sweater with a drawing of a small cat upon it. No one could be strong like her, as even being her age, she still enjoyed to walk in garden, to tell stories to grandchildren, and to laugh at stupid jokes.

She also had fame in her dentures. She lost most of her teeth many years ago and her dentures provided her with a very wide smile that everybody enjoyed. Jokes in regard to them she never minded. As a matter of fact, she laughed louder than any other person when something was funny with them.

Her children and grandchildren including great-grandchildren had arrived in the room. There was love, laughter and chatter in the air. We all tried to give Grandma Evelyn a hug, hold her hands and wish her a happy birthday.

One of her very little boys, aged six, her youngest great-grandson, said, when he saw a photograph in the paper taken when she was a young girl, with a very ladylike pose, “Grandma, are you very old?” No, pretty. said Evelyn. I am quite young inwardly. I am not old, though my bones are old, But my heart is young, Like unto yours.”

The family applauded and cheered. They all liked her spirit.

Then there was cake. The room was darkened. Little stars on top of the cake flickered the candles. All sat at the table and sang:

Happy Birthday to you… Happy Birthday to you… Again Happy Birthday to you Grandma.. Happy Birthday to you…

Grandma Evelyn was smiling like a Cheshire cat. She gazed with pride and joy at the candles. She lived 102 years which was no easy feat. The old lady bent over gradually, and her family stood up looking closely, waiting the big moment.

She drew in her breath, and blew with a great blast. The fire played, and then expired. At that very moment, however, something happened that was not expected. Her false teeth were loosened and fell down, on the cake!

It was followed by a second silence. Eyes opened. Then–laughter burst out in the room. The children giggled, the adults laughed so hard they had tears in their eyes and even Grandma Evelyn laughed until her shoulders shook.

She took up her dentures, wiped them with a napkin and said, “Well, I guess the cake fancied a little decoration!”

This was greeted with fresh laughter in the room. The humorous accident was the best of the day.

When everybody had calmed down, Evelyn put her dentures back and she looked at her family with glittering eyes.

Life is unpredictable my darlings. Other times things turn out to be wrong At other times we misstep, at other times we lose things, and at other times even dentures find their way into the cake. Yet the secret of it is to laugh at it, not cry. By laughing we sweeten the moment. When we cry we mar the pleasure. Never forget–life is short, but laughter makes it longer.”

Her words were affecting to all They understood that even when they were in the middle of a humorous accident, she had given them a lesson to take with them always.

And the cake was sliced and all of us got a piece. The small children continued teasing Grandma that they had their teeth falling out as well. Evelyn played with them, and laughed more loudly than any one.

Then her oldest granddaughter arose, and said, Grandma, we not only celebrate your birthday today. We rejoice in your wisdom, and in your power, and in your power to make us laugh no matter what occurs.”

They all drank up and cheered. And Evelyn turned and glanced about the room, her heart full. She could see the faces of all those whom she loved, her children, her grandchildren and her children. She had her treasure and her real gift.

It was the end of the evening and the family sat and told stories and reminisced. The comical event that occurred involving the dentures was something everyone told and laughed each time they did. It was not only the accident, it was how Grandma Evelyn had made it a delight, how she had made them realize that life could be a fun at the age of 102.

When Evelyn came to bed that night she said to herself, What a lovely day. How lovely a household. What a lovely life.”