They came bringing food
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
May 5, 2009 10:10am CST
I was so surprised last night. I have a Christian Community meeting in my house every Monday evening. We have refreshments and laugh and chat for about 30 minutes and then we may read and discuss something biblical or relate how God has worked in our lives.
I have had this for nearly three years. We are a support group and really support women in our community and my house is a safe place for children.
Well, people turned up last night bearing dishes of food and bottles of wine. I asked what was this in aid of? They then sung Happy Birthday. My BD is later this week and they had this party for me. Everything provided even down to desserts and a Birthday cake. It was hard not to cry.
They had cooked curried chicken and roti, tuna casserole, fried planatains, salads. We all sat outside and enjoyed ourselves and they insisted on waiting on me and cleared away the tables etc afterwards. I felt truly blessed.
I have never had a surpise party before have you?
9 people like this
24 responses
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
5 May 09
That was so nice of the women in your group. That's how we women are though, caring,loving, and so special. lol I have never had a surprise party or many birthday parties in my lifetime. I did have a 16th birthday party ...if you want to call it that. I had my friend there and her brother, my brother, dad and his girlfriend. I was given a package of panties for my birthday which embarrassed me to no end when I opened it.
That's the only party I remember in my life. We moved around most of the time and I stayed with many people I didn't know.
But such is life of some.
I'm glad that you have a very nice group of friends that care for you.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
At 16 I would have been so embarrassed at receiving a goift of panties too! I had two parties as a child and that was it! Many thanks
2 people like this
@dfollin (25381)
• United States
6 May 09
Oh,what a shame.I had a party every year when I was a child.I also gave my son's parties till they were 13 and they no longer wanted a party.My daughter had a party every year till my husband got ill and we could not afford them.However I resumed having them for her.Next year she will be 13 nd still wants a party.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
5 May 09
Wow that is just beautiful, that people would do that. I haven't really had a surprise party completely, I knew that I was going somewhere but didn't know what, it turned out okay, even though I don't really like surprises.
I hope you had a great time!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
I was overwhelmed by their kindness and thoughtfulness and I had a great time. Thaks for responding
@dfollin (25381)
• United States
6 May 09
No,I cannot ever remember having a surprise party.It sure sounds like you have some great friends that truly know how to have a good time.Seems that they also know how to show their love and gratitude to you.
I don't know where you live,but we live in one of the largest counties in our state that also has the most resources also.But,it is illegal in this county to have a biblical gathering in your home.
The law so far has not been enforced.There are many people that have the social gatherings in their home anyway.I never knew that it was against the law until our pastor told us so a few months ago.Like I said the law has not been enforced,but if you run into an non christian person or someone gets mad at you they can call the police and they would have to enforce it then.It is very Godly and kind of you to open your home on Monday nights.God bless you.
I don't know where you live,but we live in one of the largest counties in our state that also has the most resources also.But,it is illegal in this county to have a biblical gathering in your home.The law so far has not been enforced.There are many people that have the social gatherings in their home anyway.I never knew that it was against the law until our pastor told us so a few months ago.Like I said the law has not been enforced,but if you run into an non christian person or someone gets mad at you they can call the police and they would have to enforce it then.It is very Godly and kind of you to open your home on Monday nights.God bless you.1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
Thank yok so much for sharing. I did not know of this law in what is supposed to be one of the most democratic countriies in the world. I do not think that it would ever be enforced thoug. I live in a very small Island in the Caribbean that I came to live in 39 years ago when I got married.
Thank you also for your birthday wishes. May our Lord keep you safe in the palm of His hand
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
5 May 09
I have never been thrown a surprise birthday party EVER. Though I did help with my father-in-laws about 2 yrs ago. My sister-in-law thought it would be a hoot to throw a party for FIL for his 70th as you never know when they get that age if they'll make it to their 80th ect was her theory. It went ok, except the fact I was in LABOR and the Dr was going to deliver him on FIL's b-day but decided to wait to see if I could have him naturally. I had my son 2 days later via c-sect so FIL got a lil bit of a belated b-day gift ;0)
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
5 May 09
Most definatly especially since their other grandson lives out of state so FIL has my lil man to bond with besides my girls.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
What a story! Thank you so much for sharing it. I am sure the party was appreciated by your FIL and he must have been so happy to see his belated birthday gift!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 May 09
That sounds so great. Happy Birthday by the way. My birthday is next week actually, the 12th.
I did have a surprise party once. It was a baby shower for my first son. I was planning to throw the baby shower myself, but money became an issue so I had to cancel. So a friend of mine invited me to lunch and shopping (on her) that day instead. She was over half an hour late picking me up for lunch, which drove me crazy. Then she wanted to go all the way to the other side of town for lunch! Once we got there, all the friends that I'd invited to the shower were there!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 May 09
That's too funny. My anniversary is the 7th. I'll be married 6 years. My oldest son's birthday is the 13th.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
I knew that we had a lot in common. Mine is the 9th and I would have been married 40 years on the 10th! I love what your friend did for you re the baby shower. I keep saying that women need women and we need them all of our lives. Many thanks and Happy Birthday when it comes
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
5 May 09
Oh how wonderful!!!! You have a lovely group of friends (as I would expect)! I have always felt that everyone should have one surprise party in their life. I posted a discussion one time about that and I had several people in disagreement who felt they would feel really strangely about one. I still stick to what I said. It is really special to have friends gather around you in such a way!
I had a surprise 25th b-day party. I thought I was going to dinner with a friend. We stopped by the club house of her sister's apartment complex. I helped her bring in some party supplies, thinking they were for a bridal shower party for her sister. Well, I got quite a surprise as I carried in plates and cups for my own party! It was soooo special! I loved it!
Happy Birthday, Cynthiann!! You are very special!!!
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
So great to hear from you. Thank you for your birthday wishes and the klind things you said. 
I just love your story as you too were surprised. The food was marvellous and we had such a good time. Then the twins came out and joined in and then we found out it was the babysitter's birthday as we gave her half of the cake and lots of food to take home so that she could celebrate with her children. This made her so happy too. It was all wonderful. Fellowship and love. The word is LOVE
I just love your story as you too were surprised. The food was marvellous and we had such a good time. Then the twins came out and joined in and then we found out it was the babysitter's birthday as we gave her half of the cake and lots of food to take home so that she could celebrate with her children. This made her so happy too. It was all wonderful. Fellowship and love. The word is LOVE1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
Yes, it was so kind of them and we had a wonderful time together. Many thanks for responding and thank you for your Birthday wishes
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
6 May 09
I have never had a surprise Party as well.. You are lucky to have been blessed with good, caring friends. Happy Birthday to you and I hope you will have more happy surprises in life ahead.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
Thak yo so much for sending me flowers. They are so beautiful. Thank you also for your best wishes and for responding
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
We all had a great time. I hope that you get a surprise party one day too. Thak you for responding
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
That osunds like so much fun and it was great hat your family did this for you. I so enjoyed last night - the fact that coordinated a menu and put it all together to make it happen. Felt so loved by everyone.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
5 May 09
That is great that they turned your Christian Community Meeting into a surprise party for you. That was really nice of them to do that for you. I have never had a surprise party before. In fact I have only ever had one birthday party in my whole 31 years.
Happy Birthday early!
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
Thank you my dear friend for your Birthday wishes. Yes, it was great of them and we had such fun. The food was wonderful. I cna remember one biorthday party that I shared with my sister and one on my own. My childhood was more than rocky so I so appreciated what they did last night. So very kind of them.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
6 May 09
That is very, very sweet. It sounds like they wanted to show you some appreciation for allowing them to use your home every week, and that they really care about you and wanted to do something very nice for you. Sounds like a wonderful evening. It was also nice that they took care of everything for you. It was very nice of them to do this for you, and very nice of you to offer up your home every week.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
I reakky was overwhelmed with their kindness. Thank you for responding.Women need womed don't they?
@patrickran (23)
• China
6 May 09
it was nice to have so many friends who care about you, Cynthiann, me too, once was invited to join a Christian Community Meeting with my friends, that was the my first time to be with the Christians, they called each other "brother" or "sister", i felt a little bit nervious at first anyway, but later we chitchat with each other and gradually became friends.
it felt good to have more friends to have fun together,that was a wonderful experience for me
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
It was off putting for me too at first as this was not done in my church in earlier toimes. However we are each one's brother or sister. This is what Jesu wants us to be., Kep going and may you find the peace that pases all understanding. Thak you for responding
@jimbo88 (231)
• Indonesia
6 May 09
Congratulations my friend!! happy birthday too!!
Your experience was so great. I felt happy to read it.
Your friends had good relations and they gave good gift for you. It will be a sweet memory and so hard to forget. Nice story.
I never get better story like you, so you are the lucky person. :D
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 May 09
Thank you for your kind words and for responding. It was really a wondeful gift that they gave me - not so much the surprise dinner but tthe love they showed me
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
5 May 09
I do not remember ever having a surprise birthday party. Usually I am warned ahead of time, but we do have surprise engagement showers where someone gives the ridiculous excuse to the bride to be that "there is a teacher's meeting,"
"it is your turn to clean the church," "I have to pick something up," etc. and they fall for it every time. 
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
That sounds like so much fun! I was really surprised and we had such a good time together.
@ellie333 (21016)
•
5 May 09
Hi Cythiann, What a lovely surprise for you and what lovely friends you have to do this for you, it shows that they really appreciate the good work that you are doing in the community. A big Happy Birthday to you for later in the week also. Huggles. Ellie :D
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
Thank you my friend. It was wonderful and made me so happy.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
5 May 09
First of all, Happy Birthday...
Nope, I don't recall having a surprise party myself but I've pulled off a few. One for my parents' 40th anniversary and one for my husband.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
Wow! I never did anything like that - oh wait - yes I did for my husband's 50th birthday. He had expressed a desire to see his family and friends and the children and I arranged it for him. I remember it as fun. Many thanks for yor best wishes
1 person likes this
@Cillysophie (327)
• United States
5 May 09
It is great to hear that you have that kind of love and support in your friends. I don't think I've had one of those types of parties. I know I would feel embarassed and al ittle weird because all the attention would be on me. I'm one of those weird people that like attention, but not tooo much of it. I guess I like attention to an extent. It's weird though. Happy birthday by the way. I hope you had a wondeful party with wonderful people! :)
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
Hey, this is so nice of you. I did feel a little bit awkward for a momment but it passed and I had a fgreat time. So much fun. Thank you for your best wishes and for also responding to my post.
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
5 May 09
well happy birthday. better late than never.that was a great thing your friends did for you.my sister gave me surprise birthday party on my 16th and i did cry.i gave her a surprise party a couple of years a go,
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
Isn't it wonderul. I felt so great that they had gone to so much trouble to cook and carry. Everything waas just so tasty and wonderful. Made me feel special. Blessings
@jayrene (2708)
• Philippines
5 May 09
happy birthday!
i have never experienced any surprise birthday parties, although i have made some of those to my friends... that was when i was still in school. most of the time i do the planning, what to do, what to bring, etc. etc. but not really big parties, just a simple surprise birthday parties...
well, you're fortunate to have people like that in your community. i dont have any fellowship here, probably because the church where we used to attend to is very far from our place now.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
5 May 09
I am sure that someone will throw a party for you at some stage in your life. I am extremely fortunate to have people like this in my community and I cherish them. Thanks for sharing
