It’s Lockdown Birthday…..

Lots of people are celebrating in their own way during the difficult times of lockdown and we were no different today. John’s 70th birthday and what to do?

Normally, we’d have a party. A whacking, great big party, where the house is bursting at the seams with love and laughter, lots of luscious food and drink and memories in abundance. But, of course, we couldn’t do that. Instead, we had a steady day of treats culminating in a whacking, great big Zoom-in to create the memories and share in the love and laughter.

Not everybody is here because I took the photo before everyone had actually joined in – and some people are duplicated, as the pictures moved along when someone new entered the zoom. But a great BIG thank you to everyone for making the day special and coming along to sing happy birthday to John!! He was overwhelmed and loved it. I am so very grateful to everyone for making the effort. What a wondrous thing to do in lockdown. Our hearts are full.

The day started with a delivery of flowers and balloons and a lie-in. An arrangement of roses and carnations for love; gerbera for happiness (and a memory from our wedding); and lilies for a fresh start.

Once John was up, it was time for a delicious brunch and then a start on opening birthday cards, which contained so many good wishes. Then it was onto opening the various gifts that had arrived through the front door in the last week. Interspersed with the card and present-opening, there were also deliveries from friends, sons and grandsons, who ding-donged the front doorbell and sparkled with anticipatory glee as we opened the door. Grandsons in particular couldn’t wait to tell us why they there were here, making essential deliveries.

In between all of that, of course, there was the rugby and the Grand Prix qualifying to watch, a cream tea to eat, champagne to imbibe, candles to blow out and the birthday cake to cut. A home-made and simple birthday cake, but I did my best.

After our Zoom-in we met up on Zoom again with all the younger generation for a quiz night. That was fun and actually, everyone did incredibly well on the answers. Michael set up a round which tested our knowledge of the birthday boy and that gave us the best laughs of the evening. I mean, where was John when he saw a three-foot farmer?

We gave no thought today, for once, of the ongoing viral situation, the political shenanigans, or even the weather. We were cosy indoors, lit by candle-light and the warm glow from the open fire, and snug in the knowledge that friends and relatives love us. Here’s the Birthday Boy. He’s had a good day. Thank you all.