They Come in Ones or Twozles

So I had known for months that my parents 40th anniversary was coming up in August. My sister and I have been conspiring for that entire time, and have come up with a plan that we think is fitting for the joyousness of the occasion, without overshadowing what we are planning for the 50th.

Imagine my surprise when my grandmother told me that it would be hers and my grandfather's 60th wedding anniversary in October. Luckily, we were on the phone, because my eyes bulged and my jaw dropped. Bad granddaughter that I am, I hadn't thought to do the math. I knew it was looming, but had no clue it was coming up this year. My dad is in big trouble, because he knew, but didn't tell anyone.

Now to me, 50 is big, but 60 is like, wow, ohmigod. For their 50th, at my grandmother's insistence that it be kept fairly low key, we had a banquet with about 50 people at a lovely hotel in Dana Point.

For her 60th, my grandmother is requesting something that she has always wanted to do, and that no one has ever indulged her. She wants to take a ride in a hot air balloon. Apparently my grandfather is going with her whether he wants to or not, I haven't talked to him about it yet. When you reach that point in your marriage, I am sure it is quite easy to know when you should just shut up and say, "Yes, Dear."

Now she has talked about this for years, and no one ever got it for them because we thought it was kind of unsafe. As a matter of fact, just a few weeks ago, the husband of a couple was killed in a hot air balloon when their daughter bought the trip for them for their anniversary. I could link you, but I just don't have the time and you will have to trust me on this one.

My father and I still think it is a bad idea, but my sister said, "For goodness sakes, if that is what she has wanted to to for so long, just go ahead and do it. She is 84 and should be well aware of the risks. If that is a risk she is willing to take, then it's her life, isn't it? People die on the freeways every day, yet nobody thinks twice about getting in the car."

Unfortunately, she has a point. I guess if it was fulfilling a lifelong dream for my grandmother, wouldn't that be selfish of us to deny it to her? Especially if she has specially requested it as her gift? Would you get something for a loved one that you considered risky, but they really, really wanted it?

Why do I have the feeling that I will be having a dream similar to Winnie the Pooh's Heffalump and Woozle dream tonight? For those of you who do not currently have a young child, suffice it to say that there are hot air balloons in it.