I’ve left the lodger in charge of the cat and joined my parents in a little hotel in Derbyshire to celebrate Mum’s 90th birthday.
This is the 90th birthday party that started off as a cruise. The cruise, which should have happened back in August, was cancelled back in March for obvious coronavirus-related reasons.
It was then going to be a weekend party, with 12 guests – private room, grandchildren, great grandchild. Then the Rule of Six came in and, well – you can’t choose six people to uninvite. Who would you choose? That grandchild can come but that one can’t? Partners stay away?
In the end it was just my parents and me. I admit I’m not much of a substitute for either a cruise or a room full of family.
Always difficulty to know what to buy her. I ended up buying a box of Thornton’s chocolate and a necklace. I knew she would love the necklace as soon as I saw it. And I was right – her face said it all when she opened the box, she absolutely loved it. And she said it would go perfectly with the outfit she’d chosen to wear on the Saturday night.
She didn’t wear it.
I’d arranged a WhatsApp video call with my son and his wife, to make up for not seeing them on the day – but between her not being able to hear very well, and not being able to see very well…
I got her a 90th birthday balloon (which she complained about), a badge (which she refused to wear), and a cake with sparklers (which she reckoned she was too full to eat).
I actually think she had a nice time, but she hid it well.
Can I admit to just being a tiny bit worn out with it all?
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Photo by Sarah Trummer from Pexels
