Marquis’ Birthday

After a successful camping trip the year before, Julie, Marcie and I decided to try another one. Something new.

We rented a large cabin on top of a hill at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park CO. Marcie and I said “no tents this year” but we were willing to try a family cabin in the woods. We were delighted to find a beautiful cabin in a campsite far away from any neighbors.

The weather was cold, the creeks were flooding and we should have gone back to sleeping in tents! Because we had electricity, a real kitchen, four bedrooms and two bathrooms, the boys thought they were on vacation. They reverted to their at-home behavior and became unbelievably lazy. We learned that the boys worked together only as much as the elements required.

Our first big challenge came when we realized that they had smuggled a small television in one of their suitcases. Instead of being outside enjoying nature, as we had hoped, we found them huddled together in one bedroom watching an afternoon soap opera. We confiscated the contraband TV and listened as they protested, as one loud vocal group, about how unfair it was of us to take away the TV, when they went to all the trouble of sneaking it in. The louder they got, the more we just shook our heads.

The most memorable part of the week, however, had to do with Marquis’ birthday, which fell on the third day of the trip. At first he balked at even coming on the camping trip because. as he said, “I have a life.”

We reminded Marquis that his entire “life,” other than his mother and grandmother, would be in Estes Park that week. And besides, we would make him a cake.

From that moment on, the cake took on a life of its own. What flavor should the cake be? What about the frosting? What size? ~ all decisions of great importance.

On the day of his birthday, I brought Marquis back to Denver in treacherous, pouring rain, for a job interview that was canceled thirty minutes before we got there. By the time we got back to Estes Park, Marquis and I had spent five hours together in my car while the rest of the guys cleaned the cabin, baked his raspberry cake and frosted it with butter cream frosting.

After stuffing ourselves with spaghetti and salad, it was time for the birthday celebration. We sang Happy Birthday and told Marquis to make a wish.

Marquis thought a long time about his important wish. And then he blew out the candles. Through his NOSE! It was so gross. Marquis had seen a similar trick in a movie and couldn’t wait to try it. Needless to say, he killed the cake!

Even though everyone was dying for a piece of Marquis’ birthday cake, very few were brave enough to scrape the top layer of frosting off the cake and eat it. 

Happy Birthday, Marquis, wherever you are. I hope you are doing well. I’m making a wish for you today.