Happy Birthday, Pretty Woman

On my Mom's 79th birthday, I arranged a surprise party at a local restaurant. About a dozen of her friends from grade school, neighbors, church friends, and family attended.

They were told to look for the table with the stuffed dog on it. My mom's chow is always by her side at home, and this day it went out to eat with us. She was a little concerned over my behavior on the way to a regular afternoon lunch, but understood later why I had been about to burst with excitement.

A "singing telegram," was delivered after everybody arrived. Sung by a local improv artist, dressed up in country bumpkin clothes, we had the attention of the entire room. With a tape for musical back-up, my "cousin" and I sang these words of celebration:

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday,
It's you're special day.
Happy Birthday,
It's time to celebrate.
Happy Birthday.
I don't believe it,
It can't be true.
No one could look as good as you--
29? , Mercy.

Happy Birthday,
Won't you pardon me?
Happy Birthday,
Will your dog bite me?
Happy Birthday.
You look as lovely as can be,
But your doggie worries me.
~GROWL~

Happy Birthday
Stop awhile.
Happy Birthday
Talk awhile.
Share some memories,
And enjoy the feast.
'We'll treat you right
Cause we love you.

Come on "Cousin Ruthie"
Have fun tonight,
Yeah.
Won't you have some pie?
Happy Birthday.
Give a great bit sigh.
Happy Birthday.
Birthday candles, Hey.
Okay.
If that's the way it must be
It's okay.
I guess I'll go on home
It's late.
You need to eat now please,
Don't wait.


What do I see?
Her napkin's on her knee.
And she's smiling back at me.
What a lovely smile to see.
Oh, Happy Birthday.