What a party!

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I did not expect the amount of people at my dad’s birthday party…274 people showed up. It seems all the “try” people actually came, and one guy who came told me he only found out about it an hour prior, from his daughter. It was okay though because my sister thought ahead. There were plenty of tables, and so much food my sister sent me home with a large tray of pulled pork that was left (still warm!). I just got home, and when I left 100 people were still there, talking. I lasted a good three and a half hours so I’m very relieved. Thank you all for those prayers and good wishes. Some people brought presents, but more brought cards, which is what my dad would have wanted (I have a feeling money is in a few of those). My sister made him wear a birthday boy sash, but he was a good sport and wore it. They had a slide show as people came in, and when everyone was seated my sister got up and we played a game of “Who Knows Dennis Better?” I did not win. We ate after that, people spoke, and of course, my dad did the rounds of talking to everyone. All of his sisters were there and all his brothers (even the shy one who hates parties). I heard a lot of laughter, and periodically he’d tell me he was so embarrassed, but he had fun, and is going home with a tray of fried balogna. They had catered so much meat they gave three trays of food to a family of nine, and still had food. Everyone kept asking who made the meat because it was tender and delicious. The caterer knew my dad so only charged for the meat, not the labor. About 20 people came up to talk to me that knew me, but I didn’t recognize them. They were from the church my dad pastored 27 years ago. They weren’t offended I didn’t know (I mean it was 27 years ago!), and about 35 from the old church came total. A lot of people I never met introduced themselves and told me all my dad (and mom) had done for them. It was quite something, and I am glad I went. *The picture I included in the backdrop is where people stood and had their picture taken with the photo of my dad’s head she took from his awful passport picture. (He laughed at it.)