A Lot is Happening at the Corner of Arthritis Road and Wrinkle Avenue

 

Well, friends, I realized this weekend how fast time is moving. My best friend, my heart, my hubby Terry turned 70 years of age on Saturday, April 25. We piled into the car, picked up his daughter Mallory, and drove toward Eugene where the party was taking place at my granddaughter Jessee's home. 

Terry was excited for a family party. He expressed how much the family meant to him and did not really know what to expect in terms of a party. I laughed. Not at him by any means, as he is not surrounded by family besides me and his daughter, much less anyone holding a party for him in a family setting. Well, my family not only stepped up for my husband's 70th birthday, but they outdid themselves. 

I have to say that I expected cake, maybe some ice cream, that we would bid Terry good health, a happy birthday, and tell him goodbye for the trip home. But my family stepped up to the walker and really gave him a party he won't soon forget. Showered in love, laughter, gifts, and plenty of chocolate cake and ice cream, but only after we gorged ourselves with pizza, chips and dip, stuffed mushrooms, veggies, and even fruit. It was truly a beautiful day. 

We began by parking in Jessee's driveway, unsure of the exact location. It was the first time we had been to her new home. Between the three of us and the GPS we found the house fairly quickly. As soon as we parked, I looked at the garage doors and knew the party was going to welcome Terry into his new age of 70, but also into the family. He has been around the family before, plenty of times, and adores each and every one of them. However, now he will get to see their sense of humor and their compassion for making people happy. And happy was the theme of the day. 

As we parked, there were signs everywhere. In the lawn, on the garage door, and even around the garage onto the sidewalk leading to the house and the old age announcements on the entry way to the house. I got out of the car and immediately began to snap photos, laughing the entire time. I looked at Terry and Mallory to see they had joined me in that laughter. 

Stretched across the garage door was a caution tape claiming there was an old folk's zone ahead. I knew the second I saw this that Terry was in for a fun day. But let's not forget the memory leaving us as we get older. As a reminder, the "memory detour" sign brought that into the limelight. 

More signs and old people's decor followed the closer we got to the front door. 

Signs were placed all through the yard, ensuring that Terry doesn't forget that he is now an old guy. 

As we made our way up to the door, we saw plenty of other reminders that made us all laugh. My daughter, granddaughter, Jess's hubby Brandon, and even Cam (my other granddaughter's boyfriend), really did an excellent job in putting this party together. 

One of my favorites was the inflatable walker sitting on the sidewalk. 

Cones not only let us know the path to the house but also served as reminders that he was a year older. 

I guess there is no turning back for my sweet man. 

As we opened the front door, I wasn't sure what to expect. We were greeted with a nice pair of balloons tattling on Terry's age. 

There was a poster board filled with old age signs and medical items. We were still giggling yet I knew we had plenty more to come. 

While all of the decorations were fun and awesome, another favorite of mine was the Old Lives Matter banner stretched out above the couch. 

Signs, balloons, and happy birthday decorations were placed everywhere. I knew there was plenty more where that came from. 

I turned around to see Terry talking to my friend, Debbie. I was so happy that she made it! Terry and Debbie had met and seen each other a few times during various events since Debbie had been close to our family for years. Terry really liked her after meeting her for the first time a while back. 

Now heading out back, the yard and patio were covered in the same decoration theme. I loved it. Terry, Mallory and I were still laughing. It seems walking on the corner of Arthritis Road and Wrinkle Avenue showed us this was the crossroad event to be at. 

Once more, we are reminded that old lives do matter. 

Great-granddaughter Novalee sat down to munch some pizza while Rex her dog looks on. The girl does know how to party. 

Terry, Cam, and great-granddaughter Zyrah chatted for a bit before things really kicked into gear. 

While we ate pizza, fruit, veggies, chips and dips, and some stuff mushrooms, Terry began to open gifts. 

He loved reading all of the cards and seeing all the surprises the family gifted to him. He was one spoiled man!

The birthday boy received cigars, a cigar humidor, a cigar travel carrying case, some money, two t-shirts, a Buddha cat in the lotus position, a gift card, one incense burner that is a dragon downdraft burner, plus incense and more cigars. He received a hummingbird wind chime, plus another type of hummingbird wind chime. Mallory gave him one, Jessee the other. Perfect gifts for him. He also received a bag of sugar free chocolate covered coconut candy. Yum. 

Debbie gave him a real nice large, black travel mug with a silver dragon on the front. The mug was stuffed with edible goodies such as chocolate covered orange gel sticks and pepperoni. 

Terry was handed his cornucopia of gifts, one after the other. Each gift was so heartfelt and loving that he grew excited to see the next one. He did admit to me on the way home that this party was the best one he has ever had, not only for the gifts, but he was surrounded by family and friends, and that's the best gift he could have opened. His excitement that the family was around for this monumental occasion in his life he was truly grateful for. 

I loved watching him interact with everyone and loved seeing the smile on his face. Nothing false or pretentious but rather a genuine, soul-lighting happiness had come over him. It warmed my heart to see him that happy. 

Dawn was walking him through some of the benefits of the humidor. 

He was loving it!

He received a card from Jess that was hilarious. 

#5 is shooting confetti out of its ass. 

A few laughs went around the room over this one. 

He got a t-shirt featuring four cats with black makeup on to create a Kiss-themed shirt. It's adorable and titled "Hiss," mimicking the rock group, Kiss. Terry's love for cats and t-shirts blended well in this choice. Great job, Jess. 

Jess pulled it off again with a cute kitty taking a selfie with a UFO sucking up kitties in the background. Awesome and once again, right up Terry's alley. 

His very Zen-like Buddha kitty made him smile. 

This picture did not capture the beautiful hummingbirds on the chimes. I will have to show it after we hang it outside. The set of chimes are colorful and brought lots of smiles. 

Eventually Dan and Brandy showed up too. My daughter Brandy and her hubby have three dogs, all of which keep her quite busy. She works and so does Daniel. Dan works out of town, giving them two days a week to see each other. Their lives are hectic, but they did make time to come to the party for a while. I was so happy to see them. 

Shortly after the latest daughter and son-in-law arrived, Terry asked us all to step outside. He asked if I would join him. I held his hand and he began to speak to the group. 

The announcement came that he had released his latest book (second book) and that it was being sold on Amazon beginning today, his birthday. The new book is titled Poems From the Ass End of Andromeda. Poems in this book have been written while he was stoned after vaping his 90% THC. I've always asked him, "Babe, where does your mind go?" during these bouts of pure genius.

More information on his latest book can be found if you click on the link.

After mentioning his new book, Terry went into how he and I always send love songs or mention love songs to each other. I set him the music video and lyrics to ensure he could hear all of the beautiful words to the song since he is deaf. He listened and felt intrigued to write me a poem that would mean as much to me as the song did to him. And so began our wonderful journey into creation, love, and magic. 

Under Andromedan Stars

Just me lying here

on this twice-ringed world

at the edge of Andromeda. 

The twin suns twilight

long ago extinguished. 

There's a raging river of stars

roaring above me, unknown to me. 

Their little lights flash in the void. 

And beyond all of that

All I see is you.

All I need is you.

All I love is you. 

Terry Macrae

April 16, 2026

***

I read the poem and of course, the tears flowed like the raging river of stars roaring through my soulmate's imagination. That's when we put our heads together and created a beautiful poster that hangs in our living room ...

I came up with the idea of this image and went to work in AI. With that and Terry's heartfelt, amazing poetry, we made it work. We love the poster. Terry also printed out the 8x11 image so we could frame it and share it with the family. They passed it around after reading it, and I saw some tears flow with that reading. 

My husband, my love, my soulmate, my best friend reminds me that the bottom line is all he sees is me, all he needs is me, all he longs for is me, and all he loves is me. He turned to me during the reading and made that statement once again, looking into my eyes. Of course, the tears began to stream down my cheeks again, spurring the hug I gave him. I whispered, "Thank you" into his ear. 

It was a beautiful moment and we were able to share it all with family. Every day our love, trust, and commitment grow stronger and every day we know that we will be holding hands until the day we cross over to the other side. We also made the promise that we would find each other as we pass through the veil and will spend an eternity together too, although I will have to bring a box of tissues.

Each day he comes home to me or wakes in the morning, I smile. My heart warms just knowing he is with me, at least one more day, never taking anything for granted. I am grateful for Terry and our life together. I do ask for as much time as possible with each other in this plane of existence. 

The group told us how nice the poem and image was. Terry and I heard them in the background, still looking at each other as they spoke. All we knew at that time is what we were thinking in that moment. That special moment that I won't forget. 

After the chat, my silly hubby took off his coat to show his shirt he ordered just for this party. 

Ah, the sense of humor. That's one thing I do love about this man. 

More thanks were given before he reached for Debbie's gift to him. It was awesome!

Love this mug! He loved it too. Like I said before, it was filled with great snacks. Very sweet gift, pun intended. 

A hearty "Thank you, Debbie" went out to the gift giver. He was happy to receive the gorgeous mug. 

Novalee and Zyrah looked on as the adults were laughing and sharing stories. 

I'm sure Novalee was thinking, "I'm related to these people?"

Happy birthday to my "old man." I do hope you feel more comfortable in the family situation and more loved than you have ever felt before. We had a great time over the weekend, sharing the laughs, love, and food. It was a great time had by all. Seventy years of age is nothing, babe. You've got this. I love you, until the bottom line is fulfilled. We can lay at the edge of Andromeda together for the rest of our lives, until the sky falls down on us. I can't wait for the rest of the journey to unfold. 

In life, nothing should be taken for granted. Love as hard as you can. Live hard and play hard. Let life, light, and love shower your time on this rock. Count your blessings and definitely live your life to the fullest. Don't forget to hug yourself once in a while. 

Next up? Another trip to Eugene tomorrow for my granddaughter Kylee's birthday party. It's a long, yet lovely weekend. Family lights up our lives. Until then, the old folks are heading back home to Roseburg. 

Vicki & Terry Macrae

Birthday cake is a beautiful thing.