The Birthday Card

The alarm jarred me from a satisfying slumber at 2:45 AM. My arm shot from beneath the warmth of the electric blanket to quiet the offender before my husband began to softly kick or pat in an effort to urge me up and out. I must compliment the inventor of the "snooze" button, whoever he may be. Without my extra ten or twenty minutes of snoozing, I would never be able to function. In order to enjoy this extra time of drifting, I do have to set my clock about a half hour fast, but it is well worth it! My husband, on the other hand, does not agree! He just doesn't understand... nor has he ever tried it!

But, back to my original thought. After finally dragging myself out of the warmth of my cocoon, taking care of the normal bathroom things and getting my work attire on I realized that tomorrow would be the 50th birthday of my friend and co-worker, Rhonda. She wouldn't be working on her birthday so if I was giving her a card, it would have to be today. I hadn't stopped in town the day before for a special card so would have to either look through my supply on hand or make one. I love using my creativity to fashion my own greeting cards, but at 3:30 in the morning that was out of the question. The time was passing quickly and I had a fifteen minute drive to town yet. I ventured down into my very cluttered basement where my craft materials and supply of greeting cards reside. I soon found that my card supply had dwindled and there wasn't much to choose from. After discarding a few for youngsters, some get well cards and two anniversary greetings I settled on a card with two puppies on the front and a simple birthday message inside. I figured the dogs were okay since my friend has a dog. I added to the greeting with a few thoughts of my own and called it good.

It wasn't long after I has arrived at work that our paths crossed and I presented Rhonda with her card. Some time later she came to me and said, "That was really a neat card. I've never seen one like that before." I must have looked totally confused because she added, "You know, with the 50 on the back." By now I thought I was in the Twilight Zone. I knew I had been completely awake by the time I picked out the card and signed it and was absolutely positive that it was nothing more than a simple birthday card with two dogs and a brief birthday salutation. Well, I couldn't act dumb any longer and had to ask, "What are you talking about?" Rhonda explained that the card had some stuff about being 50 on the back. I was flabergasted! I just had to see this! Sure enough, on the back of the card, which I hadn't looked at before....who looks at the back of a card?.....there was a little story about turning 50! WOW!