Special occasions is the eighth prompt in the State Library of Victoria #SLVMemoryBank project. Since March our family has had to be inventive in order to celebrate special occasions.
The last family gathering when we were all able to meet together was the day before lockdown officially started when our three children with their families met at our home for afternoon tea to celebrate my husband's birthday.
From the following day family visits were not allowed.
There are seven family birthdays in April and five in July so celebrating these occasions in 2020 has been a little different from in previous years. For some birthdays sending a message via Facebook served the purpose and let people know that we had not forgotten them. For other birthdays for members of immediate family we had to be a little more inventive.
Three grandchildren had birthdays in April so a time was organised for family members to connect at a specified time via computer. This at least provided the opportunity for all the family to sing happy birthday and to watch the birthday girl or boy blow out candles on their cake. The children also enjoyed interacting with each other online.
The major event that we missed in April was my mother's birthday. As her birthday is on Anzac Day members of the immediate family always remember the occasion and we try to spend time with Mum on that day. This year, however, it was not possible but Mum received lots of cards plus telephone calls from family members wishing her a happy birthday. Staff at the home where she lives signed a card for her and there was a special cake for her birthday. A photo was taken and circulated to family members.
Although first preference would have been for family members to be together to celebrate birthdays, in 2020 it has still been possible to celebrate these days, but in a different way.
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