My daughter’s birthday comes at the beginning of autumn when dahlias, marigolds and goldenrod are beaming with the turmeric and saffron colors of the season. You will never see me decorating with a pumpkin until we have fully venerated the marigolds in all the bright light and wisdom gained from their summer soaking long and hard in the sun

The following images were captured by Philadelphia based photographer and my sister-in-law, Stacey McDonald.

While a successful party needs little more than a few people gathered, the small assembly of details and decorations can indicate the reason for coming together, honor the celebrated and make the act of attending one in which all participants feel the joy and energy of a warm welcome. In addition to the tasty treats and vibrant colors, choosing the right space felt important. So naturally, my husband and I chose to have the birthday party at our local graveyard.

The Woodlands cemetery in West Philadelphia is a historic treelined space, a unique step away from the city and surrounded by cricket-croaking grass. It enchants anyone who walks through. Before the party began I sprinkled marigolds, gomphrena, celosia and zinnias behind ancient oak trees and in hidden spaces. The children were then sent on a flower scavenger hunt. I tend to complicate activities but this simple scavenger hunt was all the children needed to prepare them for the much anticipated cake eating ceremony.

Proceeding the hunt, we sang happy birthday and blew out candles on a cake adorned with Lunaria Garen’s Kees Orange and Burning Ember Marigolds. I have learned that children gravitate towards cupcakes over cake whether they are gluten free or not. Using homemade turmeric food coloring, I made a yellow icing to top gluten free pumpkin cupcakes using the Live Well Bake Often Recipe and subbing the flour for Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour.

The taste of the cupcakes alongside the floral beauty and magic of the graveyard made the celebration of Lucy one that I will cherish and remember forever. Truly the joy of the party was seeing children running around, smiling from ear to ear and enjoying the celebration. This is why I decorate, this is why bringing people together is worth the monk made candles and marigold printed tablecloths.

Lucy means “light” and celebrating her life at the time of day when afternoon bleeds into dusk, during the season when the nights begin arriving earlier and earlier, I pause to hold each moment sacred. These early days will not last forever and I never want to forget them. Whenever I plan a birthday party I think about the four short years that I knew my grandmother. She passed the day before my 4th birthday. Though my birthday always had the potential of bringing up memories of loss with each lap around the sun, it conversely has never ceased to bring forth a sense of honor for every year I gain. My grammy always welcomed in the light and I always felt celebrated by her. During Lucy’s birthday party I pondered my late grammy who I remember holding me like I hold Lucy. While the dimness of this life begs me to hold its weight and often I do, the light is the one I was meant to cradle.

References for Party Items:

Here are a few of the simple items I used to create a sense of magic surrounding Lucy’s birthday

Table Cloth made by Amora Living

Candles made by the monks of St. John’s Monastery

Dahlias and Marigolds grown by Lunaria Gardens

Lucy’s Party Dress by Hanna Anderson

I waited till the last minute to order the cake so I purchased one from Whole Foods. While it was delicious, I am a big advocate of supporting small and local businesses when possible. So if you are Philly based, might I recommend ordering from my favorite bakery in town, The Frosted Fox.