Anonymous wrote:Why should OP have to make a speech when the siblings who decided there would be speeches aren't making one?? I'd send an email to your sibs and say something like "I'm not really up for making a big speech, but if each of you send me your favorite picture of mom and a story about her, I'll print them out and give them to her at the party."

If they want to make a speech, they can make a speech.

You're suggesting that OP act like a six year old. Sibs aren't fair, sibs have "stuck" OP with this job--OP should let THEM know how she feels, but shouldn't let that nonsense impact her mother's bday.

The objective here is to make this special for mom, so be an adult and give the damn speech. And then take pride in the fact that you did something kind and generous for your mother on her 80th birthday.

Are you mom's favorite?
If you do it, just keep it simple but personal. I like the previous poster's idea of getting other people's story and memories of her. And retell them in a good and funny way or just read out loud. Tell them they may or may not be picked to be read out loud by you. And make a memory book of it so she can read them herself or have someone read them to her at her leisure. Or make the memory book and read from it.

Why should OP have to make a speech when the siblings who decided there would be speeches aren't making one?? I'd send an email to your sibs and say something like "I'm not really up for making a big speech, but if each of you send me your favorite picture of mom and a story about her, I'll print them out and give them to her at the party."

If they want to make a speech, they can make a speech.

^^^^elaborate

My sister and I did not make speeches at our mother's 80th. My mom was a great professor with students wo loved her AND a lousy mom. It was a little odd I think because there were lots of speeches but none from her children. My mom planned her own very elaboate birthday party. We came, but really had nothing to do with the planning, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you should embrace it and get creative like make a slideshow with pics and music you can show or team up with a sibling and come up with something cute where you alternate.

This is an excellent idea. My son did this for his grandad's 80th. He collected photos for months for the slide show. I'm shocked at the selfishness demonstrated on this thread.

Not giving a speech isn't selfish.

Of course it is. Choosing not to do something kind for another b/c . . . you just don't feel like it? Selfish.

But isn't that what the older sibs are doing? They've decided a speech should be made, but they're putting it on op. If they think its a good idea, they should do it themselves.

OP not clear whether older sibs will also be giving toasts or speeches, but it's immaterial.

Point is, OP ought to do this for her mom, regardless of what Jake, Cindy, and Theresa are doing. This isn't 2nd grade. Stand up and do the decent thing.