Megs New Dress

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As most of you who have been following my Meg's stories know, I have been unable to track down a birth certificate for Megs. She was born at home and her mother died giving birth. Her father buried her mother, but never bothered to give her a headstone. I suspect that he never bothered to have Meg's birth recorded either or there would be a record somewhere. We know that she was born at the end of August sometime - just before main harvesting. I have met with my Ladies Club, talked to Meg and it has been decided that August 20th will become Meg's birthday. She is over the moon about having her own day to celebrate. And celebrate we will. She doesn't know it, but I am planning a TOWN party for her in the town hall. It's going to be a hoedown hootenany with all the bells and whistles. The Ladies Club is in charge of decorating the Hall and putting a pot luck supper together, farmers are donating bales of hay and horses and wagons for rides, a tractor pull is being organized, and many other things. Meg's thinks all the plans are to celebrate our TOWN's birthday - we are a designated heritage site. And of course I'm having a huge cake made for her too. Lots of things are in the planning and execution stage and you can bet your cowboy boots I'll be reporting on it. lol Anyway, Meg wants a new dress for the town party. There is a lovely old lady in town who made her living as a seamstress years ago. I took Meg to see her and what a time it was. Trying to keep Meg still long enough to get her measurements taken was a challenge. (Hearing Meg laugh is one thing. Hearing her GIGGLE is quite another! LOL). The job was finally done and material chosen and picked up in the city the very next day. For over a week now Meg has actually been following a routine. She gets up early, checks and waters her flowers and sings them into bloom. I keep my bedroom window open on these hot nights and every morning now I awake to the sweet sound of Meg's singing to her 'pretty flower friends' as she calls them. She makes up her own lyrics, but the melody is always the same. The tune is similar to Greensleeves if I'm recognizing it correctly. After she finishes up in the garden, she spends some time doing simple chores around her house which gives me time to get my lazy butt out of bed and whip up her coffee cake. Often before I've had my first coffee, she's in my kitchen having her 'breakfast' and polishing off my cake. Then she flies out the door on a run to go for a 'fitting' of her new dress. She doesn't really need to have a fitting every day, but Sophie (the seamstress) tells me that she is so enjoying following the entire process of watching the dress take shape. I will NOT describe it right now. You'll have to wait for the account of her birthday. She is going to make QUITE an entrance. She then goes to visit 'The Sisters' as they are called, for lunch and then naps for awhile in the afternoon. Her days have never been so structured and many people have noted the change in her. Her energy is becoming more focused as is her attention span. People don't just wave and walk on by her anymore. They stop and chat and more often than not, continue on their way with a smile on their face. This is huge for Meg. She has always understood that the people of the town accept her, but now she is beginning to feel not just accepted, but respected. We have had many talks about the difference and she understands. Her self confidence is growing and it such a joy to witness. Her big day is only a few weeks away. We are holding it on the 23rd of August so the farmers can leave their fields for awhile and come and celebrate with us here in town. I am having her here in my home for a small dinner party on the actual day of her 'birthday' (the 20th) and she thinks that's: 'Just grand Miz Mayor! A real birthday party for me! Will there be cake - not coffee cake, birthday cake?" as she keeps saying to me. LOL Yes there will be a birthday cake - about 1/10th the size of the one being made for the town celebration, but a cake nonetheless! And presents - not a lot, but a few. But on the BIG day there will be many presents. I'm running out of room to hide the gifts that the townfolk keep dropping off for Meg's big day. LOL Even some of our fellow mylotters are sending gifts for her. I am so proud of them and my town for taking Meg's into their hearts and going the extra mile to make this a celebration she will treasure to the end of her days. So stay tuned folks. The excitement is just beginning!