40th Birthday Treasure Hunt

by Linda
(New Jersey, USA)

My friend Cathy is a gregarious lady with a big heart. Her husband Rick is the serious type who spends little time thinking about himself. And their 8-year-old son Adrian is a precocious boy who inherited his mother's outgoing nature.

Rick was turning 40 that year and Cathy wanted his birthday to be special.

No single birthday gift appealed to Cathy as being "just right." I suggested a series of smaller gifts instead, which gave Cathy the idea of a perfect way to present those gifts.

As Cathy described to me later that day, on the morning of Rick's birthday, she and Adrian woke him with hugs, kisses, and breakfast in bed. Rick thought that would be all until afternoon, when friends were coming by for a backyard barbeque.

As Rick was getting showered and dressed, he noticed his night table drawer was open. When he reached to close it, he found a gift-wrapped package inside. It was a sleek leather wallet. Pleasantly surprised, he thanked Cathy and Adrian.

The rest of the morning turned into a treasure hunt for Rick. He found little wrapped presents hidden all over the house in places he couldn't miss. There was a hew shirt hanging in his closet, a new tie in his dresser, cuff links in his shaving kit, and a gold money clip in his shoes. Soon Rick was wearing an infectious grin that wouldn't go away.

By afternoon the friends arrived, I among them, and settled on the back patio. A picnic table had been set with party plates and the centerpiece was a "Happy Birthday Rick" cake.

The birthday boy was grilling brats and burgers, all the while describing his morning treasure hunt. Little Adrian jumped in at every opportunity to add colorful details.

Cathy had stepped into the kitchen to bring out buns and slaw when the doorbell rang. Adrian ran to get the door. He returned with a small brown package, already tearing it open and shouting "Here Dad, one more gift for you! The UPS man brought it."

Adrian removed the plain brown wrapper and handed over to Rick a blue cardboard box. Cathy returned from the kitchen in time to join us as we burst out in laughter at the 'gift' in Rick's hands: a box of nutritional supplements with the words "Fatigued After 50? Get Your Energy Back!" written on the side.

While we were laughing, Rick looked closely at the address label and sheepishly explained that Adrian had mistakenly opened a package meant for handing over to their elderly neighbor who was out of town.

My Husband's 40th Birthday Poem

You're 40 now, but please don't fret,
"over the hill" you're not there yet.

You're still the handsome prince to me,
about as charming as can be.

No wrinkles, sags or midriff bulge...
what's your secret? Please divulge.

Happy Birthday, man of mine,
our life together suits me fine!