Slice of Life: An 80th Birthday Celebration

It's an event of note. Just a few short weeks ago, I was in Texas to celebrate my sister's 80th birthday with her. When I visited in February of 2025, I committed to being there for this significant birthday in 2026, even though I usually don't visit Texas after April or before November. My eleven years in Houston taught me that the livable months in Texas are November through April. However, I was willing to make a rare exception to be there in May for this major birthday. 

I enjoyed going through my sister's photo albums and collecting pictures to share at the party while also quizzing her about significant events in her life. She has the razor sharp memory of our father which she passed on to her son, Michael. Kara, my niece in Texas, also has this delightful gift. As we viewed collected pictures of her eight decades, Kay shared the stories behind the events. It was a wonderful way to celebrate this dear sister and her eight decades on earth. 

                   

Martha Kay was part of the first wave of baby boomers, born in 1946, post WWII.  She joined big sister, Velma Ann on May 16, 1946. She was born at St. Mary's hospital in McAlester, Oklahoma. At the time, they lived at McNally Flat with my mother's parents, Bud and Ella Duff.  

Kay stars in the classic "bath in a dishpan" photo 

(mine was taken in the kitchen sink). 

Kay with her big sister, Velma Ann 

 

 Her first name, Martha, comes from our paternal grandmother. In the first decade of Kay's life, two more baby boomer siblings, Karl Ellis and Ramona Ella (that's me), joined the family. Known in the family as Martha Kay, she made a conscious decision to go by "Kay" when she entered fourth grade in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

(Martha) Kay and little brother, Karl Ellis 

 

Nearing the end of Kay's first decade: 

 my arrival completes our family of three girls and a boy! 

Birthday Fun 

What's a party without balloons and flowers?

Daughter, Katie (in blue floral), & her husband, Wesley

 Kay, the birthday girl

Son, Michael, and his wife, Becca

 

The gals who traveled: 

Sister-in-law, Kathy, from Oklahoma,

niece, Kara, from Texas,

& sister, Ramona, from North Carolina.

 

An 80th birthday deserves two cakes:

 Daughter Katie made the chocolate cake

and granddaughter Rachelle made the carrot cake.

Both were delicious! 

 Granddaugher Anabelle chats with Nana. 

 

The grands claim prime real estate with Nana, 

leaving the rest of us sitting at the kids' table! 

 

Girls in purple:

Granddaughter Rachelle, Kay, and daughter-in-law Becca 

Our 11 days together went by far too quickly.

I always request one final pic with my sis!

 

Happy 80th birthday, Kay! 

Lucky me to share our sisterhood for my seven decades.