My Memorable Day

Margaret Thompson Davis

I never suspected a thing. It was the last evening of the winter session of our local writers' club of which I am honorary president. We always have a wee cheese and wine party on the last evening, but on this particular occasion, it had been agreed a few weeks beforehand that, for a change, we would have something to eat in a local hotel. I don't drive and so, as usual, I was given a lift by one of the writers. I was quite surprised when, on arriving at the dining room of t hotel, I found it packed with writers, some of whom I hadn't seen for years.

We all enjoyed a good meal, then I was even more surprised when the president took my hand and said,'Now, I'm taking you for a wee walk.'

She led me to the other end of the dining room and turned around to face all the diners and announce, 'I'm not a Quaker like Margaret so I can tell a lie. Today is Margaret's 80th birthday (it was actually the following week), and we are all here to celebrate the occasion.'

Then from a nearby door a trolley was wheeled in. On the top of the trolley sat a beautiful big cake. Photographs were taken of me cutting the cake and everyone sang, 'Happy Birthday'.

I was speechless with astonishment, and allowed myself to be meekly led back to my seat. Before I could recover, a crowd of writers gathered at the end of the room. They each held a song sheet. A keyboard was wheeled in and they all began to sing a composition written by on of them as a tribute to me. It was a song delivered with great gusto to the tune of Alexander's Ragtime Band. And it referred to all my books, as well as to different things I'd done.

A Tribute to Margaret Thomson Davis on her Eightieth Birthday (With apologies to Alexander's Ragtime Band) From Strathkelvin Writers Come on along Let's join in song To prai-aise someone grand. Our MTD Has reached eigh-tee, She's the best gal in the land. With her humour so divine, she can brighten any room, Her anecdotes have dispelled all our gloom. Strathkel-vin's Quee-een she is, Oh what a whiz' Can you believe? Hard to conceive She has written thirty plus, And two bios In brilliant prose, A bestselling omnibus And so with subjects as diverse from Glasgow's favourite voi-ice, Her readers all Are spoiled for choice: What a great inventory! Befriend a Quaker And meet Breadmakers Know a rich To-bac-co Lord; Burn with ambition Fill with suspicion Feel the Wou-ounds of War. When she took on Rabbie Burns, she had many a sleepless night, They say she didn't put up too much of a fight But she has never lost the plot, It's always tight. The news is dire, The world's afire, MTD has taken to crime Our Glasgow Belle Has gone to Hell. Walking a thi-in line. Because her sexy high-rise hotline is so ye-ely sordid, Murd'rous and morbid She lost her soul As the re-search took its toll.

It's only fiction A contradiction Of Margaret's dignity. Our Birthday girl's A constant whirl Of goodly activity. For she gives up plenty time showing others how to write Her keen advice has switched on many a light A fount of inspiration And such dedication. A speaker grand They seek her hand For talks across the land: She makes them laugh At all hergaffes Many of them quite unplanned. And when she talked to Mensa groups she failed to take her mike off Straight down the loo Still switched on too 'Twas a right-off through and through. A fashion plate

She looks so great In her splendid funky gear. She roams the city In outfits pretty But don't i her come too near For she'll eavesdrop anywhere for to get her next idea Freedom of the city lets her always overhear She's got the key, So there, come on And listen in. We're proud of you And we thank you For the special joy you bring We love your smile Your awesome style So enjoy your ev-en-ing As you enter your ninth decade, we wish you the be-est You're still so young, Many returns Our dear Honorary Pres.

I learned later that they had been rehearsing in secret for weeks at the club after I'd been taken home.

It so happened that morning I had been at the hospital and had been told that a bone in my spine had collapsed down and jammed into another one. There would be no cure or betterment of the osteoporosis that had caused it. I felt totally hopeless and depressed at the thought of having to continue suffering the pain I was in. But by the end of that day, I was thinking how very lucky I was to have so many truly wonderful friends who cared about me. Indeed it had become the happiest and most memorable day of my life.