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99 Red Balloons

April 8, 2013 By Marta Darby 23 Comments

My mom, Luza, celebrated her 99th birthday in February. You may recall that she asked if she could have balloons at her party.

How fabulous would it be if we could get 99 RED Balloons for the party? (Inspired by the 80's song of the same name, but that's not important right now.)

I took it up just a notch and asked everyone to please wear RED. And to bring her a RED gift. (Did I mention that my mom loves themes?)

So we had the party and I was struck with just how delighted Luza was with her 99 RED Balloons. Actually, everyone was struck with how fantastic they were.

When I originally went to order them, the guy at the party store asked if I didn't want 100. "No, thank you. There must be exactly 99." I know that my mom is a little OCD and that she would count. (She did.)

Here's Luza in all her 99 RED Balloon Glory:

Luza 99

What a fun and fitting way to celebrate her 99 years of life and the joy she's given all of us.

I'll never, ever forget the look on her face when she was surrounded by so much RED and so much love.

   

It was indeed…Priceless.

You might also like:

It Won’t Be A Surprise Party… Cuco and Yayo This Woman Deserves a Party… A Century of Life

Filed Under: My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Tagged With: 99 Red Balloons, 99 years old, celebrating 99 years, Cuban birthday party, Cubans

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mercy says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:52 am

    Absolutely fabulous 🙂

    Reply
  2. Mercy says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:52 am

    Absolutely fabulous 🙂

    Reply
  3. Mercy says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:52 am

    Absolutely fabulous 🙂

    Reply
  4. Mercy says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:52 am

    Absolutely fabulous 🙂

    Reply
  5. Clara D Cuadrado says

    April 8, 2013 at 12:58 am

    What a wonderful tribute to your Mom on her Birthday! The smile on her face is priceless, my oldest daughter was born February 23, 1969; it must be something with that date because she, as well as your Mom, have a fabulous attitude towards life, always happy and positive but yet strong and will full, even though I don’t have the pleasure of knowing Ms Luza in person I can tell she is a woman of strong will and wit, God bless her, may God grant her a long life full of health, happiness and love…as always it is a pleasure reading your blog, it always brings a smile and happpy thoughts to my life. Love and blessings your friend from South Fl, Clara Dania

    Reply
  6. Maria Aguirre says

    April 8, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Quite simply the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time! God bless Luza and your entire family.

    Reply
  7. Maria Eugenia Aguirre says

    April 8, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Quite simply the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time! God bless Luza and your entire family.

    Reply
  8. Carmela C says

    April 8, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    Simply….beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Viola says

    April 8, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    What a lovely tribute to your mother and what a lovely famly she raised! She mut be very proud!!!

    Reply
  10. Suzy says

    April 9, 2013 at 10:01 am

    So for 3:16 I was covered from head to toe with goosebumps!! What a wonderful video (with a perfect song) and an even more wonderful celebration!!! Congratulations!!

    Reply
  11. Lizette Rodriguez Thompson says

    April 9, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    Such joy and such blessings… what a beautiful tribute to your mom.

    Reply
  12. Ana F says

    April 10, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    Marta, Thank you for sharing 99 Red Balloons! I greatly enjoyed reading your amazing tribute to your mom!!! Señora Luza, Que Dios la Bendiga los proximo 99 años!!!

    Reply
  13. Diana says

    April 15, 2013 at 6:14 am

    Happy belated birthday to your mom, that video was beautiful, thanks for sharing it. You just brought back so many happy memories from my abuela, who loved red, she always wore red lipstick and nail polish. When she passed I had one dream of her it was my last, and she was telling me that she was at a party in heave with all her sisters and she was wearing a red dress and beautiful red lipstick. This brought me back to that beautiful dream. Thank you. A big hug to Luza

    Reply
  14. Amanda says

    April 16, 2013 at 9:21 am

    Love it, and love my adopted West Coast famiy!

    Reply
  15. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Thank you, Mercy.Apparently you thought it was 4 times fabulous? 😉
    Gracias.

    Reply
  16. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:13 am

    Thanks for your kind words, Clara.It’s quite a milestone to reach. I’m glad I can put a smile on your face.
    Besos,
    Marta

    Reply
  17. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:13 am

    Thanks, Maria Eugenia!I smile every time I watch it.
    xo,
    Marta

    Reply
  18. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:14 am

    Gracias, Carmela.She looks great in red, no?
    Marta

    Reply
  19. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:14 am

    She is very proud of the family she’s raised. It’s sweet to see her enjoy herself so much.Besos,
    Marta

    Reply
  20. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:15 am

    Thanks, Suzy!I will pass on your good wishes to Luza.
    xoxo,
    M

    Reply
  21. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:16 am

    Thank you, Lizette.It was enough to see how much she enjoyed herself. What a gift.
    Marta

    Reply
  22. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:16 am

    I will pass on your good wishes to Luza, Diana.I hope to be that same older woman with red polish and red lipstick!
    Besos,
    Marta

    Reply
  23. Marta M. Darby says

    April 25, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Your adopted West Coast Family is eagerly awaiting the day you grace us with your presence.;-)

    Reply

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